Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME)
The Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education has been perceived by the U.S. Department of Education as an independent certifying organization for midwifery assistance instruction programs since 1982. For more information on ACME, read the blog.
What is ACME?
The Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education or ACME is a certifying organization or agency for the certificate, post-baccalaureate, graduate degree, and pre-certification programs in Nurse-Midwifery/Midwifery.
Recognized by the U.S. Divison of Education since 1982, it provides programmatic accreditation in nurture maternity care and birth assistance training programs. At present, ACME authorizes 39 programs offering attendant birthing assistance and maternity care programs.
The mission of ACME is to constantly improve the quality of Midwifery Education programs and accredit the same.
source - adobe stock
Eligibility requirements for ACME accreditation
ACME accredits only those programs that meet the minimum standards in terms of the educational quality of the Nursing programs and other resources.
The eligibility requirements that must be met to receive accreditation are as follows:-
-
The midwifery program resides within or is affiliated with an institution that is presently recognized by the United States Department of Education, or it meets ACME’s policy requirements for institutions based outside the United States.
-
It has enough resources and budget to make sure that the objectives of the program can be met and the program can run smoothly till course completion.
-
The program is in an institutional environment that facilitates enhanced learning and professional productivity to ensure that students can become competent professionals.
-
All faculties are qualified to provide students with a level of instruction, supervision, and evaluation that is compatible with safe practice and student learning needs.
-
The midwifery program of the institution is consistent with the norms of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACMN).
source - allevents.in
Process of ACME accreditation
There are many archives that decide the accreditation procedure including The ACME Policies and Procedures Manual which helps to choose the methodology for the process to be followed.
The advice of the Board of Review is also taken into consideration as it determines the accessibility of the procedure.
-
To get pre-accreditation status from the BOR, the criteria which are supposed to be satisfied by a program is recorded in Pre accreditation report in compliance with The Criteria for Programmatic Pre accreditation of Midwifery Education Projects with Instructions for Elaboration and Documentation.
-
After the graduation of its understudies, the program is eligible to apply for full accreditation.
-
The Self-Evaluation Report or SER submitted by the Institution must satisfy the required criteria to get accreditation status from BOR. It should explain how it resonates with the Philosophy of American College.
-
The educational modules of the program that needs to be accredited must contain trademarks and abilities of maternity care rehearse mentioned in the ACNM Core Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice.
Goals of the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education
The Commission aims to provide the best health care practices in childbirth and maternity. It promotes quality education in midwife degree programs to build dexterous professionals in the field. The crucial goals of the commission are given.
-
Ensure that all programs offering midwifery education abide by their objectives and mission.
-
Development of proficient training skills to raise better professionals in midwifery practices.
-
Cultivate the consistent advancement and change in the nature of midwifery education programs.
-
Unite midwives in practice and in training through a movement coordinated toward enhancing instructive arrangement for midwifery practice.
-
Welcome changes and issues in the accreditation process to constantly improve the standards.
source - adobe stock
The operational structure of ACME
ACME strives towards achieving the best maternity care and offers accreditation status to programs after a rigorous evaluation.
The Accreditation Commission of Midwifery Education Programs consists of four units that serve as its decision making bodies.
-
Board of Commissioners (BOC) - The board is in charge of organizing the activities of ACME, strategic planning and constantly improving the criteria utilized to provide accreditation status.
-
Site Visitor Panel (SVP) - The panel is responsible for organizing and assessing the site visits to midwifery education programs.
-
Board of Review (BOR) - Reviews the candidate's Pre accreditation Report or Self-Evaluation Report and the Site Visit Report (SVR), and assures accreditation status.
-
Advisory Committee (AC) - The committee is composed of members representing nursing, prescription, Education, general wellbeing, and people in general, which works towards improvements and assessment of ACME.
ACME accredited colleges and universities
The Commission on Accreditation accredits Nurse-Midwifery programs which are in compliance with the standards. Also, it provides pre-accreditation to those programs which are on the way to receiving accreditation status by improving their standards to meet the required expectations.
Here is a list of a few colleges and universities that are accredited by ACME.
| Colleges and Universities accredited by ACME | |
| Baylor University College of Nursing | Bethel University |
| Columbia University School of Nursing | Marquette University College of Nursing |
| San Diego State University | University of Cincinnati Nurse-Midwifery College of Nursing and Health |
source - adobe stock
Conclusion
Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education is a programmatic accrediting agency entrusted to advance the excellence of Nurse-Midwifery programs in the United States.
Over the past 37 years, ACME has tried to raise the level of education imparted to Nursing-Midwifery professionals by laying down innovative methodology to enhance the learning process in the educational institutes.
Blogs you may be interested in
Frequently Asked Questions
1.Is ACME a legitimate accreditation commission?
Yes, ACME has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the accreditation commission for midwifery education programs.
2.What type of accreditation does ACME provide?
ACME provides programmatic accreditation and pre-accreditation status for nurse-midwifery/midwifery programs.
3.What is the mission of ACME?
The main mission of ACME is to advance and promote excellence in midwifery education.
4.Is ACME autonomous?
Yes, ACME is an autonomous accreditation commission from the American College of nurse-midwives.
5.What is the role of the Advisory Committee of the ACME?
The Advisory Committee evaluates the policies and procedures of ACME and suggests appropriate changes.
6.How can an institution apply for continuing accreditation?
The CEO of the institution is required to contact the Chair of the BOC and the ACME Executive Director to initiate the process.
