Accreditation is an evaluation and external quality assurance process conducted by the Council of Higher Education (Yükseköğretim Kurulu, YÖK) to determine whether a higher education program or institution meets pre-established academic and field-specific standards in a given area. Accreditation can take two forms: institutional and program/departmental accreditation. Institutional accreditation is granted by the Higher Education Quality Council (YÖKAK), whereas program/departmental accreditation for our department is awarded by both YÖKAK and STAR.

The Institutional Accreditation Program (KAP) is an external evaluation method designed to assess the quality assurance, education and training, research and development, societal contribution, and management system processes of higher education institutions within the framework of the "plan, implement, check, and act" cycle.

KAP is conducted by evaluation teams appointed by the Higher Education Quality Board in accordance with the Institutional External Evaluation and Accreditation Criteria and the Institutional External Evaluation and Accreditation Guide.

Each year, YÖKAK identifies the higher education institutions to be included in KAP and forms evaluation teams tailored to the structure of these institutions. These evaluation teams conduct two visits to the relevant institutions: a preliminary visit and a site visit.

Based on these visits, the evaluation teams prepare Institutional Accreditation Reports (KAR), which serve as the basis for YÖKAK’s accreditation decisions.

Within the scope of KAP, YÖKAK may issue the following decisions:

• Full Accreditation (valid for five years)

• Conditional Accreditation (valid for two years)

• Rejection of Accreditation

Program Accreditation refers to the evaluation and external quality assurance process carried out by an accreditation agency to determine whether a higher education program meets pre-established academic and field-specific standards in a given area.

In Turkey, the Higher Education Quality Council is responsible for the authorization and recognition of accreditation agencies. The authorization of national accreditation agencies and the recognition of international accreditation agencies are conducted in accordance with the principles and criteria established by YÖKAK.

Since 2016, information regarding programs accredited by agencies authorized or recognized by YÖKAK has been included in the Higher Education Programs and Quotas Guide (YKS), formerly known as the ÖSYS Higher Education Programs and Quotas Guide.

References:

• YÖKAK Official Website

• STAR Accreditation

Additional Departmental Documentation:

• Table of Economics Department Program Learning Outcomes and Educational Objectives

• Economics Department Information Table

• Economics Department Advisory Board

• Economics Department Course Information Package