Perspectives on Higher Education Accreditation from Portugal and the United States: An Evolving Process

Abstract

University accreditation systems have become ubiquitous around the world as nations have sought to assure the quality of the institutions of higher/tertiary education within their borders and as institutions that are part of broader higher education systems are competing for students. In addition, many countries are seeking to increase the number of college graduates in their populations as the post-industrial world and knowledge economy grows and massification of higher education becomes more important as an economic tool. Moreover, tuition fees are being charged in countries where this has never been the case before and these countries are getting pressure from students and parents to insure the quality of their education. Thus, the accreditation systems in both countries are in flux. This paper addresses different perspectives of higher education accreditation systems at the Portuguese (European) and American level. There are considerable differences between the systems.