| Article 2 (Evaluation and Certification) |
| (1) | When an institution accredited pursuant to Article 11-2 (2) of the Higher Education Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Act") (including a preliminary accreditation institution designated pursuant to Article 6 (3); hereinafter referred to as "accredited institution") conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the overall operation of a school, it may utilize the results of inspection and evaluation conducted by the relevant school pursuant to Article 11-2 (1) of the Act. <Amended on Oct. 10, 2023> |
| (2) | An accredited institution may request a school subject to evaluation and certification to provide data necessary for evaluation and certification. In such cases, no accreditation agency shall use the data provided for any purpose other than evaluation and certification. |
| Article 2-2 (Procedures for Evaluation and Certification of Schools Operating Medical Courses) |
| (1) | A school which intends to commence the operation of a curriculum corresponding to medical science, dentistry, oriental medicine, or nursing shall file an application for evaluation and certification within the period determined by an accredited institution during the period from one year and six months before the scheduled commencement date of the operation of the relevant curriculum to one year and three months before the scheduled commencement date of the operation of the relevant curriculum. <Amended on Oct. 10, 2023> |
| (2) | An accredited institution shall complete the evaluation in accordance with the standards, methods, procedures, etc. under Article 6 (1) 5 and 6 within six months from the date of receipt of an application under paragraph (1) and shall make a decision on whether to grant certification. In such cases, the period of validity of certification shall be the period determined by the relevant accredited institution agency within two years. <Amended on Oct. 10, 2023> |
| (3) | The School that operates a curriculum corresponding to medical science, dentistry, oriental medicine, or nursing (hereinafter referred to as "school operating medical course") shall file an application for evaluation and certification within the application period determined by the relevant accredited institution within two years before the expiration of the validity period of evaluation and certification under Article 6 (1) 6. <Amended on Oct. 10, 2023> |
| (4) | Upon receipt of an application under paragraph (3), an accredited institution shall complete the evaluation in accordance with the standards, methods, procedures, etc. under Article 6 (1) 5 and 6 and make a decision on whether to grant certification before the validity period of certification held by a school operating medical course shall expire, and shall make a decision on whether to grant certification. <Amended on Oct. 10, 2023> |
| (5) | An accredited institution shall re-apply for evaluation and certification within a period determined by the relevant accredited institution within one year from the date of receipt of notification of the results pursuant to Article 3 (1) to a school which has filed an application for evaluation and certification pursuant to paragraph (1) or which has failed to obtain certification pursuant to paragraph (3) or a medical course operation school which has failed to obtain certification pursuant to paragraph (3). In such cases, the accredited institution shall complete the evaluation of a school which has filed an application for evaluation and certification pursuant to Article 6 (1) 5 and 6 in accordance with the standards, methods, procedures, etc. prescribed in the following subparagraphs and determine whether to grant certification: <Amended on Oct. 10, 2023> |
| 1. | A school which has filed an application for evaluation and certification pursuant to paragraph (1) but failed to obtain certification: Within 6 months from the date of receipt of such application; |
| 2. | A school operating a medical course that has applied for evaluation and accreditation under paragraph 3 but has not received accreditation: Before the expiration of the validity of the accreditation held by the school operating a medical course. |
[This Article Added on Jun. 21, 2016]
[Enforcement Date: Apr. 11, 2024]
| Article 3 (Disclosure of Results of Evaluation and Certification) |
| (1) | Where an accredited institution has completed the evaluation and determined whether to grant certification, it shall immediately notify the relevant school of the results thereof. <Amended on Jun. 21, 2016> |
| (2) | The head of a school shall disclose the results of evaluation and certification notified pursuant to paragraph (1) through its website, etc. In such cases, the head of a school operating medical course shall disclose the results of evaluation and certification through the website, etc. <Amended on Jun. 21, 2016> |
| (3) | An accredited institution may disclose the results of evaluation and certification under paragraph (1) on their websites, etc. <Added on Jun. 21, 2016> |
[Title Amended on Jun. 21, 2016]
| Article 4 (Guidance and Supervision of Accredited Institutions) |
| (1) | The Minister of Education may guide and supervise accredited institutions, such as guidance and supervision of affairs related to the evaluation and certification of accredited institutions. <Added on Jul. 10, 2018> |
| (2) | The Minister of Education may, within budgetary limits, provide support necessary for the systematization of evaluation and certification, such as the development of programs for evaluation and certification of accredited institutions, and for the enhancement of quality thereof, such as the development of programs for evaluation and certification of accredited institutions. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 10, 2018> |
[Title Amended on Jul. 10, 2018]
| Article 5 (Criteria for Designation of Accredited Institutions) |
| (1) | The standards for designating an accredited institution shall be as follows: <Amended on Dec. 30, 2015; Jul. 10, 2018> |
| 1. | It shall have a system, such as organizational structure, organizational structure, and human resources, which can conduct fair and objective evaluation and certification; |
| 1-2. | It shall have a system, such as organizational structure, organizational structure, and human resources, which can conduct fair and objective evaluation and certification; |
| 2. | It shall have standards, methods, and procedures appropriate for evaluating or certifying the overall operation of universities and the operation of curricula (including faculties, departments, and majors) under Article 11-2 (2) of the Act, and methods and procedures for evaluating and certifying the operation of universities; |
| 3. | It shall have a track record of conducting evaluations, certifications, or conducting advisory activities, etc. on schools; |
| 4. | The designation or re-designation shall not have been revoked within the last two years. |
| (2) | Details of the standards under paragraph (1) 1, 1-2, 2 and 3 shall be determined by the Minister of Education. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 10, 2018> |
| Article 6 (Designation of Accredited Institutions) |
| (1) | Any person who intends to be designated as an accredited institution (hereinafter referred to as "applicant institution") shall file an application for designation as an accredited institution in attached Form 1 with the Minister of Education, along with the following documents: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jun. 21, 2016; Oct. 10, 2023> |
| 1. | Articles of Incorporation or documents corresponding thereto; |
| 2. | Documents equivalent to certificate of registered matters (Attached only where the applicant insitution is not a corporation); |
| 3. | Details of performance records of evaluation, certification, and advisory activities for schools; |
| 4. | Details of business plans and budgetary details for business year in which the date of filing an application falls; |
| 5. | Essential principles of implementation of certification and evaluation criteria, including basic policies for evaluation and certification and details of evaluation; |
| 6. | Provisions concerning methods and procedures for evaluation and certification, types of certification, and validity period; |
| 7. | In cases of performing duties other than evaluation and certification, data stating the types and outline of such duties; |
| 8. | Other materials prescribed by the Minister of Education to deliberate on whether to designate an applicant as an applicant institution. |
| (2) | Upon receipt of an application under paragraph (1), if the applicant institution is a corporation, the Minister of Education shall verify the certificate of registered matters through administrative data matching under Article 36 (1) of the Electronic Government Act: Provided, That where the applicant does not consent to verification or where it is impossible to verify the certificate, the Minister of Education shall require the applicant to submit it directly. <Added on Jun. 21, 2016> |
| (3) | The Minister of Education may designate an applicant institution as a preliminary accredited institution (hereinafter referred to as "preliminary accredited institution") which meets the standards for designation under the subparagraphs of Article 5 (1) (excluding the standards for performance records under subparagraph 3 of the same paragraph). <Added on Oct. 10, 2023> |
| (4) | Upon receipt of an application under paragraph (1), the Minister of Education shall notify the head of an applicant institution of whether to designate an applicant as an accredited institution within three months from the date of application, subject to deliberation by the Deliberative Committee on Accredited Institutions under Article 10, and publicly announce such fact within three months from the date of application. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jun. 21, 2016; Oct. 10, 2023> |
| (5) | When the Minister of Education designates an applicant institution as an accredited institution, he or she shall issue a certificate of designation of an accredited institution in attached Form 2 or a certificate of designation of a preliminary accredited institution in attached Form 3, and the period of validity of designation shall be within five years (within two years in cases of designation of a preliminary accredited institution). <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jun. 21, 2016; Oct. 10, 2023> |
| (6) | Where a preliminary accredited institution intends to be designated as an accredited institution, other than a preliminary recognized institution, it shall file an application for designation after meeting all the standards for designation under the subparagraphs of Article 5 (1) by no later than six months before the expiration of the period of validity under paragraph (5). <Added on Oct. 10, 2023> |
| (7) | When an accredited institution intends to change the standards, methods, procedures, etc. for evaluation and certification or to fully or partially suspend or discontinue the evaluation and certification affairs, it shall notify the Minister of Education of such fact within one week after making a decision. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jun. 21, 2016; Oct. 10, 2023> |
| Article 7 (Re-Designation of Accredited Institutions) |
| (1) | A person who intends to be re-designated as an accredited institution (excluding a preliminary accredited institution) shall file an application for re-designation with the Minister of Education by no later than six months before the expiration of the accreditation period under Article 6 (5). <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jun. 21, 2016; Jul. 10, 2018; Oct. 10, 2023> |
| (2) | Articles 5, 6, and 8 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the standards and procedures for re-designation under paragraph (1). |
| Article 7-2 (Advance Notice of Expiration of Accreditation Period) |
| (1) | The Minister of Education shall notify a person designated as an accrediting agency of the following matters by no later than one year before the expiration of the accreditation period: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 10, 2018> |
| 1. | The fact that a person who intends to obtain re-designation shall file an application for re-designation pursuant to Article 7 (1); |
| 2. | Standards and procedures for re-designation. |
| (2) | The notification under paragraph (1) may be given in writing, by facsimile, electronic mail, text message by mobile phone, etc. |
[This Article Added on Jul. 4, 2012]
| Article 7-3 (Revocation of Designation of Accredited Institutions) |
| (1) | Where an accredited institution fails to meet the standards for designation under Article 5, the Minister of Education may instruct the accredited institution to supplement the relevant matters within a specified period. |
| (2) | Where an accredited institution falls under any of the following cases, the Minister of Education may revoke the designation or re-designation of the relevant accredited institution after deliberation by the Deliberative Committee on Accredited Institutions established under Article 10: |
| 1. | Where it has been designated or re-designated by fraud or other improper means; |
| 2. | Where it fails to meet the standards for designation under Article 5 and fails to supplement it under paragraph (1). |
| (3) | Where the Minister of Education intends to revoke designation or re-designation pursuant to paragraph (2), he or she shall hold a hearing. |
| (4) | Where the Minister of Education revokes designation or re-designation pursuant to paragraph (2), he or she shall notify the head of an accredited institution of such fact without delay and publicly announce such fact. |
[This Article Added on Jul. 10, 2018]]
| Article 8 (Application for Objection) |
| (1) | Where the head of an applicant institution has an objection to the result of notification under Article 6 (4) or 7-3 (4), he or she may file an objection with the Minister of Education within 10 days from the date of receipt of such notification. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jun. 21, 2016; Jul. 10, 2018; Oct. 10, 2023> |
| (2) | Upon receipt of an objection filed under paragraph (1), the Minister of Education shall determine whether to designate, re-designate, or revoke the designation or re-designation after deliberation by the Deliberative Committee on Accreditation Institutions under Article 10, and notify the head of the relevant applicant institution of the results thereof within two months from the date of filing the objection. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 10, 2018> |
| (3) | Where the Minister of Education designates or re-designates an applicant institution as an accredited institution pursuant to paragraph (2) or revokes a disposition subject to an objection, the Minister shall publicly announce such fact. <Amended on Jul. 10, 2018> |
[Title Amended on Jul. 10, 2018]
| Article 9 (Request for Submission of Data to Accredited Institutions) |
The Minister of Education may request an accredited institution to submit data related to evaluation and certification for the formulation of policies for evaluation and certification, systematic management of accredited institution, etc. In such cases, the accredited institution shall submit the relevant data unless there is a compelling reason not to do so. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
| Article 10 (Deliberative Committee on Accredited Institutions) |
| (1) | The Deliberative Committee on Accreditation Institutions (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee") shall be established under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education to deliberate on the following matters: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 10, 2018> |
| 1. | Matters concerning designation of accredited institutions and effective period of designation under Article 6; |
| 2. | Matters concerning the effective period of re-designation and re-designation of an accredited institution under Article 7; |
| 2-2. | Matters concerning the revocation of designation and re-designation of accredited institutions under Article 7-3 (2); |
| 3. | Matters concerning filing objections under Article 8; |
| 4. | Other matters for which the Minister of Education requests deliberation by the relevant accredited institution. |
| (2) | The Committee shall be comprised of not more than 15 members, including one chairperson. <Amended on Jul. 10, 2018> |
| (3) | The Chairperson of the Committee shall be elected by mutual vote from among its members, and members shall be appointed or commissioned by the Minister of Education from among the following persons in consideration of gender: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Dec. 30, 2015> |
| 2. | Persons with extensive knowledge of and experience in the evaluation of universities and colleges; |
| 3. | Public officials in general service belonging to the Senior Executive Service of the Ministry of Education, who are in charge of affairs concerning the evaluation of universities and colleges. |
| (4) | The Committee shall have one secretary to handle the administrative affairs of the Committee, who shall be appointed by the Minister of Education from among public officials belonging to the Ministry of Education. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013> |
| (5) | The term of office of a member shall be two years, and he or she may be reappointed only once. |
| Article 11 (Operation of Deliberative Committee on Accredited Institutions) |
| (1) | The Chairperson of the Committee shall convene and preside over meetings of the Committee. |
| (2) | Where the Chairperson of the Committee intends to convene a meeting, he or she shall determine the date, time, venue, and agenda of the meeting and notify each member thereof by not later than seven days before the meeting is held: Provided, That where there is an urgent reason, he or she may not notify in advance. |
| (3) | A majority of members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and any decision thereof shall require the concurring vote of a majority of those present. |
| (4) | The Committee may, if necessary, request related agencies, experts, etc. to submit data, state their opinions, and provide other cooperation necessary for the operation of the Committee. |
| (5) | The Chairperson of the Committee may, if necessary for the smooth deliberation and operation of the Committee, organize and operate a subcommittee. <Added on Dec. 30, 2015> |
| (6) | Except as otherwise expressly provided for in paragraphs (1) through (5), matters necessary for the operation of the Committee shall be determined by the chairperson following a resolution by the Committee. <Amended on Dec. 30, 2015> |
| Article 12 (Disqualification of, Challenge to, or Refrainment by, Members) |
| (1) | Where a member of the Committee falls under any of the following subparagraphs, he or she shall be excluded from deliberation and resolution by the Committee: |
| 1. | Where the member or his or her current or former spouse is or was an executive officer of an applicant institution which is a party to the relevant agenda item; |
| 2. | Where the member is or was a relative of an executive officer of an applicant institution which is a party to the relevant agenda item; |
| 3. | Where a member has given testimony, made a statement, provided advice, provided advice, conducted research, provided service, or provided appraisal on the relevant agenda at the request of an applicant institution which is a party to the agenda; |
| 4. | Where the member or a corporation, organization, etc. to which the member belongs is or was an agent of an applicant institution which is a party to the relevant agenda item. |
| (2) | A party directly involved in the agenda concerned may, if the circumstances indicate that it would be difficult to expect fair deliberations and decisions by a member of the Committee, file his or her request for a challenge to the member with the Committee, and the Committee shall decide whether or not to accept the request by resolution. In this case, the member of the Committee who is the subject of the request for challenge may not participate in the resolution. |
| (3) | Where a member has any reason for exclusion under any subparagraph of paragraph (1), he or she shall voluntarily avoid the deliberation or resolution of the relevant agenda. |
[This Article Added on Jul. 4, 2012]
| Article 13 (Removal and Dismissal of Members) |
Where a member falls under any of the following subparagraphs, the Minister of Education may remove or dismiss the relevant member from office:
| 1. | Where he or she becomes unable to perform his or her duties due to a mental disorder; |
| 2. | Where he or she has committed any misconduct in connection with her or her duties; |
| 3. | Where he or she is deemed inappropriate as a member due to negligence of duties, injury to dignity, or any other reason; |
| 4. | Where he or she fails to refrain himself or herself despite falling under any subparagraph of Article 12 (1); |
| 5. | Where a member voluntarily declares that it is impracticable to perform the duties. |
[This Article Wholly Amended on Dec. 30, 2015]
ADDENDUM <Regulation No. 21163, Dec. 17, 2008>
This Regulation shall enter into force on Jan. 1, 2009.
ADDENDUM <Regulation No. 23926, Jul. 4, 2012>
This Regulation shall enter into on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDUM <Regulation No. 23928, Jul. 4, 2012>
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. (Proviso Omitted.)
ADDENDA <Regulation No. 24423, Mar. 23, 2013>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Decree shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. (Proviso Omitted.)
ADDENDUM <Regulation No. 26766, Dec. 30, 2015>
This Regulation shall enter into on the date of its promulgation.
ADDENDA <Regulation No. 27228, Jun. 21, 2016>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Decree shall enter into force on June 23, 2016.
Article 2 (Special Cases concerning Applications for Evaluation and Certification)
Notwithstanding the amended provisions of Article 2-2 (1), a medical course-operating school that has commenced the operation of curricula corresponding to medical science, dentistry, oriental medicine, oriental medicine, or nursing before this Regulation enters into force shall file an application for evaluation or certification with an accredited institution within three months from the date this Decree enters into force: Provided, That the foregoing shall not apply to a medical course-operating school that is deemed to have obtained evaluation or certification under Article 3 (1) of the Addenda or that has filed an application for evaluation or certification under paragraph (2) of that Article. Article 3 (Transitional Measures concerning Evaluation and Certification)
| (1) | The evaluation and certification of schools operating medical courses conducted pursuant to the main clause of Article 11-2 (2) of the Act before this Regulation enters into force shall be deemed the evaluation and certification conducted pursuant to the amended provisions of Article 2-2 (1) and (2) during the period of validity thereof. |
| (2) | Where evaluation and certification of schools operating medical courses is in progress pursuant to the main clause of Article 11-2 (2) of the Act as at the time this Regulation enters into force, an application for such evaluation and certification shall be deemed an application for evaluation and certification under the amended provisions of Article 2-2 (1). |
ADDENDA <Regulation No. 29032, Jul. 10, 2018>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Regulation shall enter into on the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 (Transitional Measures concerning Application for Re-Designation of Accredited Institutions)
Notwithstanding the amended provisions of Articles 7 (1) and 7-2 (1) 1, the previous provisions shall apply to an application for re-designation and prior notification of the expiration of the period following the expiration of the recognition period of an accredited institution as at the time this Regulation enters into force, if the remaining period until the expiration of the recognition period of the accredited institution as at the time this Regulation enters into force is less than one year.
ADDENDUM <Regulation No. 33787, Oct. 10, 2023>
This Regulation shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation: Provided, That the amended provisions of Article 2-2 (1) and (2) (limited to the provisions concerning the period during which an accredited institution shall complete evaluation and make a decision on whether to grant certification and the validity period of certification) and (5) shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.