Which statement about ARC-PA accreditation is NOT true?

• A. It is voluntary, private, non-governmental
• B. It is built on mutual trust among all parties involved
• C. It assures due process
• D. It is administered by a government agency

Answer: (D)

ARC-PA accreditation is a voluntary, private, non-governmental process. Programs choose to participate and are evaluated by an independent accrediting body, not by a government agency. This setup relies on mutual trust among programs, the accrediting commission, students, and the public to uphold standards, review self-studies, and conduct site visits. Due process is built in through a formal, transparent process: programs are informed of standards and findings, given opportunities to respond or remedy deficiencies, and able to appeal decisions if needed. The statement that it is administered by a government agency isn’t accurate; ARC-PA operates as a private nonprofit organization recognized by national bodies, not as a government entity.