AQAS

The Agency for Quality Assurance by Accreditation of Study Programmes eV ( AQAS ) is a company incorporated in the framework of the Bologna process, transnational operating agency for the accreditation of study programs at universities and colleges in Germany with headquarters in Cologne.

History

It was founded in 2002 and is of the Foundation for the Accreditation of Study Programmes in Germany (not to be confused with the German Accreditation Council) approved. Until December 2012 AQAS has accredited a total of 3219 courses at universities and colleges. This high number is explained by the fact that all European universities are encouraged to organize their courses according to the Bachelor and Master system. This means that ultimately must be justified and approved all existing in Germany diploma and master 's degree programs new.

AQAS is supported by currently 80 universities and scientific association. The bodies are international. Most important bodies are the Accreditation Commissions for program accreditation (AK- Prog) as well as for system accreditation (AK- Sys). They are like the Board of Commission staffed with scientists from different disciplines, representatives of professional practice and students. The accreditation commissions decide on the opening of the accreditation process of studies and methodologies for system accreditation of universities, order in coordination with the specialized committees, the appraisers and ultimately decide on the basis of the evaluation report of the expert group on the accreditation of study programs and higher education institutions ( with or without conditions), the suspension of the accreditation process, or (in rare cases ) over the refusal of accreditation.

Contradictions with the decision of either accreditation commissions, which could not be remedied by reconsideration in the accreditation commissions are reviewed by the Appeals Commission and a final decision. The office in Cologne currently beyond its two managing directors of 21 employees. The procedures are supervised by speakers, which are characterized by relevant experience in higher education and quality assurance area.

In addition to the accreditation of programs ( program accreditation ) AQAS also provides methods for system accreditation of higher education institutions. The authority to certify quality assurance systems of higher education in the field of study and teaching, was awarded the agency with the approval, which is carried out by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Study Programmes in Germany at its meeting on 31 October 2008. The latest approval applies by its own account until 2017.