CIPS has a long history of global engagement with the overarching goal of promoting and improving the quality of computing education worldwide. CIPS is a founding member of the International Federation of Processing Societies (IFIP), the International Professional Practice Partnership (IP3), and the Seoul Accord.
CIPS supports improving the quality of computing education worldwide in a number of ways:
- Participates in the mutual recognition of accrediting systems via Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA);
- Recognizes the substantial equivalency of academic programs;
- Directs the accreditation of academic programs by CIPS outside Canada.
Accreditation Outside of Canada
The CIPS accreditation process for programs located outside of Canada is identical to the accreditation process for programs within the Canada. However, there are a few additional requirements associated with the request for evaluation, which are summarized below.
a) CIPS respects the autonomy of each nation’s higher education quality assurance organization and does not interfere with existing or future accreditation activities. In addition, CIPS is involved in international agreements with quality assurance organizations worldwide, such as Mutual Recognition Agreements, and Memoranda of Understanding. Accordingly, all programs located outside of Canada seeking an accreditation review must have each appropriate education authority, recognition, or accreditation agency complete a request for approval. A copy of the request of approval form can be obtained by contacting the CIPS Accreditation Secretariat. CIPS will only conduct an accreditation review outside Canada with explicit permission from all applicable national education accreditation authorities in that program’s country or region.
b) Before proceeding with a full accreditation visit, CIPS will first conduct a “scouting” review. The review will include two senior accreditation council members visiting the institution. The objective of this review is to conduct a high-level assessment to ensure that there are no obvious and material concerns that would prevent a program from being successful in the accreditation effort. If the outcome of the review is positive, a full accreditation visit will be planned. No undertaking is given by CIPS as to the eventual accreditation of the program.
Accreditation Costs
For details, please see the Fee Schedule for Programs Outside Canada
Language Requirements
A program seeking accreditation in a country where English is not the native language must provide its program name both in English and in the native language.
Official transcripts must be provided in English or come with a certified/official English translation.
The self-study report and other documents provided to the review team must be in English.
Programs must be able to prepare for and receive a visiting review team conducting activities in English. All visit activities will be conducted in English.
Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs)
Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) – often known as “accords” – are agreements among organizations that accredit academic degree programs. These are non-governmental agreements that recognize the substantial equivalency of the organizations’ accreditation processes and the graduates’ preparedness to begin professional practice at the entry level.
Substantial equivalency means that the accreditation systems have comparable standards, outcomes, and processes, though they may not be identical. The mutual recognition of accrediting systems is intended to improve technical education worldwide and foster the mobility of students and graduates.
CIPS is a signatory to the following accord: The multilateral Seoul Accord (for computing programs)