Module 1

1. Module 1 Introduction to the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC)

2. Purpose of Today’s Training After this training, participants will: • Be familiar with the history and organization of FEPAC, • Have a broad overview of the accreditation process, • Know where to locate FEPAC policies, procedures, and forms, • Know dates for various submission deadlines, • Have information about how to prepare the self-study report.

3. Organization of the Training Module 1 Introduction to FEPAC • Organization & History • Policies Module 2 Overview of the process • Forms • Timelines Module 3 General Standards for All Programs (3.0 - 3.10) Module 4 Undergraduate Program Standards (4.0 - 4.4) Module 5 Graduate Program Standards (5.0 - 5.4) Module 6 The On-Site Visit Module 7 Example Scenarios

4. Learning Objectives for Module 1 At the completion of the presentation, the attendees will know • the history of FEPAC, • the concepts behind the FEPAC accreditation program, • the role of the FEPAC Director of Accreditation and how to contact her, • the role of the FEPAC Commissioners, • where to locate FEPAC policies and procedures.

5. FEPAC Mission Statement The mission of FEPAC is to maintain and enhance the quality of forensic science education through a formal evaluation and recognition of college level academic programs.

6. Functions of FEPAC The primary functions of FEPAC are to: • develop and maintain accreditation standards, • administer an accreditation program that recognizes and distinguishes high quality undergraduate and graduate forensic science programs.

7. University of New Haven (CT) University of North Texas Ohio University University of Central Oklahoma University of Central Oklahoma (Dgtl) University of Ontario Institute of Technology The Pennsylvania State University University of Tampa (FL) Texas A&M University Towson University (MD) Virginia Commonwealth University West Chester University (PA) West Virginia University 26 Accredited B. S. programs as of January 2018 • Albany State University (GA) • Alfred State – SUNY (NY) • Buffalo State – SUNY (NY) • Cedar Crest College (PA) • Eastern Kentucky University • Eastern Kentucky University (Dgtl) • Fayetteville State University (NC) • Florida International University • Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis • Laurentian University (Ontario, Canada) • Loyola University at Chicago (IL) • Madonna University (MI) • University of Mississippi Accreditation decisions for 2018 are released after the AAFS meeting.

8. Marshall University (WV) Marshall University - Digital (WV) Michigan State University University of New Haven (CT) Oklahoma State University The Pennsylvania State University Sam Houston State University (TX) Towson University (MD) Virginia Commonwealth University West Virginia University 19 Accredited M. S. programs as of January 2018 • University of Alabama at Birmingham • Arcadia University (PA) • Boston University School of Medicine (MA) • Cedar Crest College (PA) • Duquesne University (PA) • Florida International University • George Washington University (DC) • University of Illinois at Chicago • John Jay College of Criminal Justice (NY) Accreditation decisions for 2018 are released after the AAFS meeting.

9. History: 1999 NIJ Report An assessment of forensic sciences published in 1999 by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), entitled Forensic Science: Review of Status and Needs, described the educational and training needs of the forensic science community as “immense.” *2018 Needs Assessment

10. History: 1999NIJ Report Among the recommendations contained in the report was the establishment of the following: • National standards for education in forensic sciences, • An independent, community-wide, consensus-building, standard-setting body such as a technical working group for education in forensic sciences, • An accreditation system for forensic science education programs.

11. History: TWGED, 2001 • The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) established a technical working group for education and training in forensic sciences (TWGED) in 2001. • Purpose: to recommend sample curricular guidelines for educational programs in forensic sciences. • 2004 NIJ/TWGED Report: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/203099.pdf

12. History: FEPAC, 2002 • In 2002, AAFS established an ad hoc committee, called Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Committee (FEPAC), to explore issues related to the development of an accreditation system. • The system for academic programs was built on the foundation of TWGED.

13. History: FEPAC, 2004 In 2004, the committee became an official standing committee of the AAFS, Name was changed to Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC).

14. History: 2009 NRC Report Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward • Recognized need for formal, systematically applied standards or standardization requirements for forensic science educational programs. https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/228091.pdf

15. FEPAC Composition • Director of Accreditation • Currently, this is AAFS staff member Nancy J. Jackson • Five (5) forensic science practitioners, • Five (5) forensic science educators and • One (1) public member

16. ACADEMIC MEMBERS Robert W. Allen, PhD Tracey Dawson-Cruz, PhD Robert E. Gaensslen, PhD Murrell Godfrey, PhD Jeffery K. Tomberlin, PhD PRACTITIONERS Pamela M. Johnson, MS Daniel E. Katz, MS Michael J. Salyards, PhD Noelle J. Umback, PhD Matthew R. Wood, MS Commission 2017 PUBLIC MEMBER Kathleen M. O'Donnell, CRNA, PhD NON-VOTING MEMBERS Nancy J. Jackson Director of Accreditation Anjali A. Ranadive, MFS, JD Concordance Officer

17. ACADEMIC MEMBERS Dwight E. Adams, PhD Robert E. Gaensslen, PhD Murrell Godfrey, PhD Sarah J Seashols-Williams, PhD Jeffery K. Tomberlin, PhD PRACTITIONERS Pamela M. Johnson, MS Daniel E. Katz, MS Michael J. Salyards, PhD Jason Schroeder, MS, MBA Matthew R. Wood, PhD Newly Elected Commission 2018 PUBLIC MEMBER Kathleen M. O'Donnell, CRNA, PhD NON-VOTING MEMBERS Nancy J. Jackson Director of Accreditation Anjali A. Ranadive, MFS, JD Concordance Officer

18. Major Duties of the Director • Maintain all records for FEPAC, • Process and coordinate accreditation applications, • Prepare and disseminate correspondence to programs regarding review, • Process and evaluate annual reports, • Update lists of accredited programs, • Disseminate pertinent information to all appropriate constituencies, • Prepare and dispatch appropriate internal correspondence, • Assist with accurate and appropriate guidance and information to forensic science education programs, students, and the public regarding accreditation status and relevant processes.

19. The Director of Accreditation serves as an active consultant in support of the work of the Commission and as a liaison to the AAFS Board of Directors and staff. Nancy J. JacksonDirector of Accreditation & DevelopmentAmerican Academy of Forensic Sciences 410 North 21st Street Colorado Springs, CO  80904-2798 (719) 636-1100 (719) 636-1993 (fax) njackson@aafs.orgwww.aafs.org www.fepac-edu.org

20. FEPAC becomes member of ASPA • ASPA is the Association of Specialized & Professional Accreditors. • It is a national organization that works with accrediting bodies to enhance the quality of higher education through specialized and professional accreditors. • ASPA approved FEPAC for membership in September 2008.

21. Council for Higher Education Accreditation • A national advocate and institutional voice for self-regulation of academic quality through accreditation, CHEA is an association of 3,000 degree-granting colleges and universities and recognizes 60 institutional and programmatic accrediting organizations • In 2010, CHEA Board of Directors voted to grant FEPAC eligibility for a recognition review. • FEPAC achieved CHEA recognition in 2012.

22. Duties of Commissioners • Review and update policies and procedures, • Review and update standards, • Evaluate applications for accreditation, • Appoint site-visit teams, • Evaluate self-study reports and site team reports, • Vote on accreditation status for applicants.

23. FEPAC Policies and Procedures All are online and can be accessed from: http://fepac-edu.org/policies-procedures

24. 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Mission 1.2 Purpose 1.3 History 1.4 Scope of Accreditation

25. 2.0 Accreditation Commission 2.1 Authority 2.2 Composition 2.3 Selection of Commissioners 2.4 Chair of the Commission 2.5 Terms of Office 2.6 Vacancies 2.7 Meetings 2.8 Attendance 2.9 Quorum 2.10 Commissioner Orientation and Training 2.11 Administrative Support 2.12 Financial Policies

26. 3.0 Accreditation Process 3.1 Eligibility 3.2 Application 3.3 Self-Study 3.4 Site Visit 3.5 Team Report 3.6 Program Response 3.7 Commission Decision 3.8 Accreditation Statuses 3.9 Renewal of Accreditation 3.10 Enforcement of Standards 3.11 Annual Reports 3.12 Substantive Change 3.13 Public Disclosure

27. 4.0 Operating Policies and Procedures 4.1 Appeal Procedure 4.2 Complaints 4.3 Confidentiality 4.4 Conflict of Interest 4.5 Due Process 4.6 Preparing a Self-Study Report 4.7 Notification of Accrediting Decisions 4.8 Records Maintenance 4.9 Regard for Decisions of States and Other Accrediting Agencies 4.10 Review of Standards 4.11 Revision of Standards 4.12 Miscellaneous Policies and Procedures

28. 5.0 Forms & 6.0 Dues and Fees 5.1 Application for Accreditation 5.2 Self-Study 5.3 Annual Report 5.4 Application for Approval of a Substantive Change 5.5 Application to be an On-Site Evaluator 5.6 On-site Evaluator Conflict-of-Interest Form 5.7 Commissioner Conflict-of-Interest Form 5.8 Confidentiality Agreement 5.9 Records Destruction Form 5.11 On-Site Evaluator Survey 5.12 Program Post On-Site Visit Survey 6.0 Dues and Fees