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Self-Study Reviewers and Site Visitors

Self-study reviewers and site visitors play a crucial role in the comprehensive review process.  It is their responsibility to create an objective and impartial assessment of the quality of the orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic educational program seeking accreditation.  Self-study reviewers and site visitors serve in teams of 2-3 individuals with diverse educational backgrounds and expertise.  

Self-Study Reviewer Qualifications
  • Self-Study Reviewers shall be qualified by education and experience to evaluate the learning concentrations for which the program is seeking accreditation.
  • Possess skills to critically review a self-study (e.g., attention to detail, sensitivity/understanding of unique qualities of developing programs, organizational skills and the ability to provide constructive feedback).
Site Visitor Qualifications
  • Site visitors shall be qualified by education and experience to evaluate the learning concentrations for which the program is seeking accreditation.
  • Possess skills to support a site visit (e.g., sensitivity/understanding of unique qualities of developing programs, organizational skills and the ability to provide constructive feedback).
Self-Study Reviewer / Site Visitor Training and Resources
  • CAAHEP Site Visitor 1-Hour Informational Webinar – Click HERE to View
    • The CAAHEP site visitor 1-hour webinar explains the site visit: what to expect and how to prepare. This webinar was developed for program directors in preparation for the site visit but is useful for both program directors and site visitors.
  • CAAHEP Accreditation ABC’s – Click HERE to View
    • This list of documents includes the relevant documents aligned with the CAAHEP Standards. This is a useful resource to find appropriate documentation to support compliance with the CAAHEP Standards.
  • NCOPE Canvas Server – Click HERE to View
    • NCOPE has asynchronous online training for future and current self-study reviewers and site visitors. If you might be interested in seeing the materials or taking the course, please contact Chris Robinson – crobinson@ncope.org. 

 

Self-Study Reviewer and Site Visitor Forms
  • Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality Form – Click HERE
  • CAAHEP/NCOPE Site Visitor Agreement – Click HERE

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the site visit process confidential?

Yes, in accordance with peer review and accreditation policy and procedures, no disclosure about individual applications and the evaluations and recommendations made to individual programs resulting from the site visit team evaluation process will be made by any site visit team.

What is the purpose of the site visit?

Both the site visit team and everyone at the host institution must appreciate that the site visitors have two roles to play:
a. The team is NCOPE’s /CAAHEP’s inquiring arm.
b. The team will later present and interpret the applicant program to NCOPE.

What are the main objectives of the site visit?

a. To confirm that the program has a clear mission and goals that it regularly assesses.
b. To verify and clarify the description of the program as presented in the Self-Study Report.
c. To assess the program against its own stated goals.
d. To assess the program against the NCOPE/CAAHEP standards.
e. To establish a basis for an evaluative report by the Site Visit Team to NCOPE.
f. To provide an occasion for the exchange of information among colleagues and for learning about innovative developments responsive to common problems and opportunities in a common field.

What are the responsibilities of the site visit team members?

a. To show an interested in the applicant program’s well-being and continued improvement.
b. To avoid statements of “how it should be done” or “how we do it at our institution “.
c. To take an “objective” reviewer posture each site visitor should assume.
d. The complete cooperation of members in carrying out their respective assignments.

What is the role of the chairperson of the site visit team?

a. They are the official spokesperson for the team.
b. They are in full charge of the visit.
c. They must ensure that the evaluation is comprehensive and thorough.

Can the site visitors share their opinions about the program under review?

The opinions of site visitors about the program being visited must be confined to the team and to members of NCOPE.

What should site visitors do if problems are encountered that are not addressed in this Site Visit Manual?

The Chairman of NCOPE or members of the Commission will be available to address those questions.

What are the pre-visit preparations for team members?

a. Attendance at a site visit training workshop, service on the NCOPE, or service on a previous site visit team.
b. A thorough knowledge of the peer review and accreditation process.
c. A knowledge of the standards and their interpretations, and the problems frequently encountered in their application.
d. A cover-to-cover familiarity with the applicant program’s Self-Study Report.