1. Which undergraduate programs can apply for accreditation?
Undergraduate programs eligible to apply for STAR Accreditation must primarily be among the programs registered with STAR. To access the registered programs, click here. Another important point is that the program should have graduated students. There is no specific number limit here. It is sufficient for the program to have graduated students.
2. Can programs that have changed their language of instruction (Turkish/Foreign Language) apply?
Generally, changing the language of instruction does not prevent a program from applying for accreditation. However, it is important to note the extent of changes to the curriculum along with the language change. If the curriculum has undergone significant changes, it may make it difficult to meet the accreditation criteria. In such cases, the process should be carried out in consultation with STAR Accreditation. If the program has already graduated students with the new language of instruction, there is no issue.
3. Can an undergraduate program that changes its language of instruction from 100% Turkish to 100% foreign language apply?
Programs in this situation are not recommended to apply, as the significant change in the curriculum would be considered.
4. Is filling out the accreditation application form enough to apply?
No. The accreditation application form is considered a statement of intent. To formalize the application, a protocol outlining mutual rights and obligations must be signed.
5. When can I take the self-assessment report writing training?
The self-assessment report writing training can be taken after the protocol is signed. The previously announced training schedule should be followed.
6. When must the self-assessment report be submitted? Can an extension be requested?
The self-assessment report must be submitted electronically within 3 months after the protocol is signed, by June 30 at the latest. Extensions are not granted unless there is an unavoidable reason. The responsibility lies with the applying program.
7. What happens if the self-assessment report is not submitted on time?
If the self-assessment report is not submitted on time, STARAK will cancel the application, and the process for that year will be terminated. The program does not have the right to appeal.
8. Is there a guide for writing the self-assessment report?
Yes, there is a Self-Assessment Report Preparation Guide. This guide includes templates, general principles, procedures, examples, evidence levels, and expectations. If there is an issue not covered in the guide, STAR Accreditation can be contacted through the Feedback Management System.
9. What is the general rule for preparing the self-assessment report?
While preparing the self-assessment report, the basic rule for each criterion is to apply the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle.
10. Can I make changes to the self-assessment report template if needed?
No, it is strongly recommended not to make any changes to the self-assessment report template.
11. How many pages should the self-assessment report be?
The report should be written in “Calibri, 12-point font, and single-spaced,” and it should not exceed 100 pages.
12. How should evidence be provided in the self-assessment report?
Evidence should be provided by including links within the text to a drive folder where the evidence is uploaded. This includes instructions, graphs, tables, photos, images, brochures, screenshots, publications, etc. Additionally, any requested self-assessment report tables should be filled out in an Excel file and uploaded to the drive, with links provided in the text (For detailed information, see the Self-Assessment Preparation Guide).
13. What level of evidence should be included in the PDCA framework?
When showing evidence in the self-assessment report, if the criterion involves planning, the plan and its annexes should be included. If there are practices related to the criterion, defined processes should be shown as evidence. If the program has an existing practice that is measured, tools and results such as surveys or focus group reports should be included. If there is a statement that the program evaluates the criterion using the PDCA cycle, analysis or evaluation reports should be presented as evidence. If improvements are stated to have been made, a list of these improvements should be submitted as evidence.
14. Can I omit writing information about any criterion/sub-criterion?
No. Whether it is a main criterion or a sub-criterion, if the program does not have any work or preparation that addresses it, the deficiency in the criterion will be determined as a shortcoming, which can result in the denial of accreditation.
15. What should the maturity level be for the criteria?
The maturity level of the criteria depends on how the criterion is expressed. If the criterion states “should be done and applied,” it must be demonstrated that the application exists. If the criterion states “studies should be conducted,” it should be understood that conducting the relevant studies is sufficient.
16. How many years of data should be considered for reporting and evidence for the criteria?
There is no standard period, but it is expected that the documentation for the most recent year before the application is complete. For example, if applying in 2024, the documents for 2023 should be complete. Ideally, documentation for the last 4 years should be available.
17. Should external (non-full-time, fee-based) faculty members be included in the program teaching staff?
Yes, they should be included, and the required documents should also be filled out for them. They are considered an important stakeholder in the program. These faculty members should be included when filling out the requested tables.
18. Is there a limit for elective courses in the program’s curriculum?
Yes, in the curriculum, this percentage should generally be at least 25%. When calculating this percentage, it is not necessary to differentiate between basic field courses, specialized field courses, and competency-completing courses. The calculation does not include ECTS, and it is sufficient for 25% of the total courses to be electives.
19. What does program-specific criterion mean?
Graduates are expected to acquire sufficient knowledge, skills, and competencies in courses that are specific to the program, distinguishing it from other programs and reflecting its characteristic features. In other words, these are program learning outcomes or general program criteria that reflect the specific knowledge, skills, and competencies expected from graduates.
20. If an undergraduate program name falls under multiple programs, is it necessary to meet program-specific criteria for each one?
Yes, it is necessary. For example, if the program is named “Political Science and Public Administration,” the program-specific criteria must be provided for both political science and public administration. The criteria should be defined to cover both areas.
21. When is the campus visit conducted?
The campus visit is generally conducted after the evaluation team reviews the Self-Assessment Report and coordinates with the program to schedule the visit, notifying STAR Accreditation. This usually occurs between September and December.
22. Can the campus visit be conducted remotely (online)?
Face-to-face visits are preferred, unless there are compelling reasons.
23. Who will be interviewed during the campus visit?
The campus visit follows the campus visit plan. Everyone listed in the plan will be interviewed. Typically, the university’s senior management, department heads, deans, faculty members, students, and support staff will be interviewed.
24. Can I appeal the draft evaluation report?
While a formal appeal is not possible, a defense or explanation regarding the deficiencies indicated by the evaluation team must be written within 30 days. Otherwise, it will be assumed that the program has not exercised this right.
25. When is the evaluation report finalized?
It is finalized after consistency checks and a decision by STARAK.
26. Can STARAK’s decisions be appealed?
Yes, STARAK’s decisions can be appealed within the specified period through the Appeals and Complaints Committee. The final decision authority is the STAR Accreditation Board.
27. How can I become an evaluator?
To become an academic evaluator at STAR Accreditation, you need to fill out the candidate evaluator form on the website. Those in the candidate pool will later receive evaluator training from the Education Committee. After successfully completing this training, they can become academic evaluators. The basic requirement for evaluators is that they should be at least assistant professors and currently working as faculty members at a university. For student evaluators, active enrollment in an undergraduate program and successful completion of the education process are required.
28. What is the minimum requirement to receive an accreditation certificate?
STAR Accreditation currently evaluates programs using 11 criteria and 42 sub-criteria. For programs to receive accreditation, they must not receive any deficiency notification from any criterion, even at the lowest level. This is the fundamental minimum requirement.
29. Is the accreditation schedule strictly followed?
The Accreditation Schedule on the website is for informational purposes. STAR Accreditation is not responsible for adhering strictly to this schedule.
30. How are accredited programs monitored during the accreditation period?
Programs that receive accreditation provide action plans under the “Action Plans” section, detailing the improvements they will make during the accreditation period. These programs are required to implement these plans. STAR Accreditation tracks and reports on these actions.
31. Is the YÖKAK Institutional Accreditation Program (KAP) different from Program Accreditation?
Generally, yes. The YÖKAK KAP is a macro-level accreditation process that monitors the system-based processes within the university. Program accreditation, on the other hand, focuses on a micro-level analysis of a single program’s quality assurance. In conclusion, these two accreditations complement each other. KAP is mandatory by law in the Turkish higher education system, while program accreditation is voluntary.
32. Is program accreditation necessary to use the TYÇ logo?
Program accreditation is a basic requirement to use the TYÇ logo, but it is not sufficient on its own. The Bologna Information Package must be fully completed, and a MYK application must be submitted through YÖK (For detailed information, see: https://www.myk.gov.tr/en).