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What GAC Accreditation Means

The Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC) serves two fundamental purposes — to ensure the quality of academic degree programs in project management and to assist faculty and universities in the improvement of degree programs.

Academic accreditation may be conducted at the institutional level or the programmatic level. Institutional accreditation means the characteristics of an entire institution are considered during accreditation.

Watch a 3-minute video about GAC accreditation

A specialized or programmatic accreditation body, such as the GAC, focuses on an individual program within an institution. Its primary concern is programs within academic institutions that prepare students for a specific profession or occupation, such as project management.

In the United States, specialized accreditation is closely associated with professional associations. And the concept of nongovernment, not-for-profit accrediting bodies reviewing academic programs is gaining momentum and acceptance worldwide.

Using a thorough review process, the GAC ensures the scope and quality of academic programs. As a student, you can be assured these programs meet the high standards set forth by the GAC.

The GAC confers accreditation only upon the degree programs within institutions that meet the accreditation standards defined in the GAC Handbook  of Accreditation of Degree Programs in Project Management - Third Edition 

Goals of the GAC Program
 Promote the professionalization of project management
 Ensure high-quality academic programs in project management
 Provide external quality standards for program planning and improvement efforts
 Provide recognition by PMI and GAC
 Facilitate communication among schools and faculty

Additionally, graduates of these programs receive 1,500 hours of project management experience toward earning their Project Management Professional (PMP)® credential.

The GAC is a member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA), the only unified, national voice that supports the importance of specialized and professional accreditation.

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Council for Higher Education Accreditation Eligibility Statement

At its meeting on April 26-27, 2010, the CHEA Board of Directors reviewed the recommendation of the CHEA Committee on Recognition regarding the eligibility application by the Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC). The board of directors determined that the GAC is eligible to undertake a recognition review.  GAC will complete a self-evaluation providing evidence that it meets the CHEA recognition standards.  CHEA requires an observation visit to a decision-making meeting of the accrediting organization to observe decision-making activities as these relate to CHEA eligibility and recognition standards.  The CHEA Committee on Recognition will review the self-evaluation, the report of the observation visit and any third-party requests for comment and make a recommendation to the CHEA Board of Directors.  The CHEA Board of Directors will make the final determination of recognition status.