Announcement

The Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE)
Commission on Accreditation

The CCE Commission on Accreditation (COA) has reviewed the application for reaffirmation of accreditation of the Doctor of Chiropractic degree program at Life University College of Chiropractic (LUCC) of Marietta, Georgia. The COA has deferred a decision regarding reaffirmation of accreditation and has imposed a sanction of Probation for the failure of LUCC to comply with established accreditation criteria. The COA has also determined that immediate public disclosure of this action is warranted. The COA has provided LUCC with information regarding specific deficiencies that must be corrected to maintain CCE accreditation.

A sanction of Probation is imposed to indicate serious deficiencies toward compliance with the requirements of the CCE Standards for Doctor of Chiropractic Programs and Institutions (Standards). The CCE Standards stipulate that the COA may revoke accredited status if the program or institution fails to correct noted deficiencies or otherwise fails to comply with requirements stated in the Standards.

Given the confidential nature of the accreditation relationship and the COA commitment to work positively in being of assistance to programs/institutions in such situations, no further or more specific information about this matter will be provided in the current circumstances.

The CCE Standards for Doctor of Chiropractic Programs and Institutions may be read and copied at the CCE website: www.cce-usa.org

Announcement

The Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE)
Commission on Accreditation

To: Students of Life University College of Chiropractic, Marietta, GA, and other interested parties

From: Joseph Brimhall, D.C., Chair, CCE Commission on Accreditation

Subj: Accreditation Status of Life University College of Chiropractic, Marietta, GA

The Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) is receiving manifold questions from students and others about educational and accreditation eventualities and chiropractic licensure issues. The CCE is not in a position to advise current or prospective LUCC students regarding their educational plans or future accreditation prospects at LUCC. It is strongly suggested that such individuals do their best to obtain accurate information from LUCC regarding the specific reasons for this COA action, and that they seek expert advice from other parties knowledgeable about chiropractic education, accreditation and the potential positions of jurisdictional chiropractic licensing bodies.

The CCE Commission on Accreditation (COA) decision to revoke the accredited status of Life University College of Chiropractic (LUCC) is the most serious adverse action possible for this body. The COA deferred the accreditation decision last year and allowed the maximum time period of one year, as provided under our process, for LUCC to demonstrate compliance with CCE accreditation requirements. Were it not for a CCE appeal process designed and provided to insure utmost fairness and all reasonable opportunity for review of such a COA decision, the accredited status of LUCC would be ended at this time.

According to CCE policy COA 8, CCE provides a 30-day period (from June 10, 2002) during which LUCC can decide whether or not to appeal the COA decision. Even though the COA has decided to revoke the accreditation of LUCC, the accredited status will be extended during that 30-day period. If LUCC gives proper notice of intent to appeal, the accredited status will further extend during the actual process of appeal and until the appeal process ends.

It is not possible to predict the actual amount of time required for such an appeal process, but it would seem that such a process could be completed within 90 to 120 days from its instigation. All in all, it seems reasonable to estimate that, should LUCC decide to appeal, the appeal process could be concluded at some point in October or November of 2002. The CCE policy regarding appeal of such decisions is displayed on the CCE website at: www.cce-usa.org

Persons wishing to know the specific citations of non-compliance with the CCE Standards should contact LUCC. Those citations are provided in a letter from the COA to LUCC. Due to provisions of the CCE position regarding confidentiality, the COA has not been persuaded to release those specific citations at this time.

We understand the natural inclination for individuals to call CCE about these matters, and we wish we could be of further help. However, due to the confidentiality provisions in our own processes and related issues, the above is all the information we are able to offer at this time.