NAAHAB: Understanding School Accreditation . Accreditation is used as an evaluation tool. Independent bodies assess the strengths and weaknesses of schools and degree programs to ensure that standards of quality are being met. Consider it to be a system of checks and balances. If colleges were left to evaluate themselves, they would likely not have the same objectivity, and they might not be aware of better standards at other colleges. Accrediting agencies are neutral, third-parties with specific criteria that must be met by each school, such as the number of professors, quality of instruction, and depth and breadth of courses offered. Often, those on accreditation committees are made up of peers from other schools. Who better to judge Harvard Medical School than Stanford's doctors? The process of accreditation is a rubber stamp of sorts, a marker that says others working in the field believe that the program is worthwhile. What Are the Accrediting Bodies for Health Care Schools? Accreditation agencies are private-not government run. Schools voluntarily put themselves through the process of accreditation in order to gain insight into the quality of their own programs. It is a way of getting advice and suggestions. Think of it as a consultation. Mission, Goals and Objectives NAAHAB's mission is to improve the quality of education and training and enhance institutional accountability via thorough and consistent program evaluation. The rudimentary element of the mission is to assure the quality of the programs it accredits, and assist in the improvement of the programs. This quality-determination is accomplished by rigorous and systematic evaluation based on valid standards. NAAHAB's goals and objectives focus on three key areas: recognition, resources, and service; all of which NAAHAB's believes is essential and paramount to the achievement of its mission. The objectives of NAAHAB are as follows: a. To assure quality education is offered to the community. b. To develop universal standards for allied health programs . c. To ensure that programs are valid and produces specific outcomes. d. To enhance quality improvement for the following programs:. Phlebotomy Technician EKG Technician Medical Assistant Program Pharmacy Technician Clinical Research Assistant/Technician Patient Care Technician