Maintaining quality of higher education during difficult times: Accreditation compliance in foreign language education

Abstract

The world has witnessed substantial changes as a consequence of Covid-19 pandemic in many spheres of life including higher education. Assuring quality and maintaining compliance with accreditation criteria during the pandemic have been two critical considerations requiring change and adaptation in higher education institutions. The aim of this study was to investigate challenges in terms of assuring and sustaining quality and completing accreditation self-study process effectively under the circumstances of the pandemic. The study featured a case study design employing qualitative research methodology through interviews conducted mainly face-to-face and over Zoom. A semi-structured interview from created by the researcher was used to collect data from 10 instructors involved in the accreditation self-study process of a program during the most chaotic period of the pandemic. The themes that emerged from the study based on quality criteria and influence of the pandemic were: “Course Delivery”, “Format and Content of Assessment” and “Instructors’ Professional Development”. The perceptions of the instructors on the aforementioned themes were elaborated on and discussed in the study from different perspectives.