ATC Overview
Accredited Training Center (ATC)
HRMI- ATC are organizations that we have approved to provide the professional courses for the HRMI certifications and issue professional development hours (PDHs) to meet the continuing education requirements needed by HRMI credential holders. To earn the ATC designation, a provider must meet or exceed rigorous standards for quality and effectiveness as defined by HRMI.
Established by HRMI, the Global Accreditation Council (GAC) acts as the sole governing body for the policies, procedures and standards for accrediting the Training Centers & Programs.
Furthermore, GAC complying with the accreditation requirements of ISO 17021, ISO Guide 53, ISO Guide 65 and ISO Guide 67 set forth by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). They are now endorsed by 165 countries, and are globally accepted standards for accreditation and certification bodies.
GAC Accreditation process:
Educational/ training accreditation may be conducted at the organizational level or the programmatic level. Organizational accreditation means the characteristics of an entire institution are considered during accreditation process.
A specialized or programmatic accreditation body, such as the GAC, focuses on an individual program within an institution. Its primary concern is programs within institutions that prepare students for a specific profession or occupation, such as HR.
Using a thorough review process, the GAC ensures the scope and quality of programs and organizations. As a student/customer, you can be assured these objects meet the high standards set forth by the GAC.
In the United States, specialized accreditation is closely associated with professional associations. And the concept of non-government, not-for-profit accrediting bodies reviewing academic programs is gaining momentum and acceptance worldwide.
The GAC confers accreditation only upon the institutions and programs that meet the following accreditation standards and process.
There are four steps to the Accreditation process:
1- Letter of Intent
Candidate institutions/organizations begin the process by submitting a Letter of Intent to the attention of the GAC.
This letter should include an Executive Summary which addresses the following:
- The complete Institution/Center name that is submitting the application;
- Exact title and short description of the certificate /diploma conferred upon completion of the program(s).
- The reason why the Center is seeking GAC Accreditation at this time;
- A statement verifying the Center registered by appropriate government agency;
- A description of the Center’s administrative structure
- A statement of the mission or vision of the applicant Center;
- A description of any special entrance enticements/incentives offered to attract students to the applicant Center programs;
- The name(s) of the appropriate Center points of contact [P.S. include name(s), title(s), address, telephone number(s) and email address(es)].
- A complete statement of the requirements to satisfy the programs
Upon receipt, the Letter of Intent is reviewed by the GAC for compliance. If the letter is found compliant, the applicant institution begins work on its programmatic self-evaluation report. In addition, once the Letter of Intent has been accepted, Applicants become “Candidate Center,” and begin receiving informative communications from the GAC regarding the accreditation process.
2- Prepare Self-Evaluation Report
The self-evaluation process is challenging for the applicant institution, as it requires the applicant to reflect and report on the purposes and effectiveness of its program(s). Applicants have up to six months to prepare and submit this report, which presents evidence to demonstrate that HRMI Standards for Accreditation are being met by the Center.
The report should include such information as:
- Mission
- Demonstration of Achievement of Mission
- Training Community/Faculty and Staff
- Student Support Services
- Student Selection
- Program Descriptions
- Program Learning Outcomes
- Student Performance Criteria
- Library/Learning Resource Centers and Educational Innovations and Technology
- Financial Resources, Facilities and Equipment
Once complete, the Candidate Training Center submits printed copies, as well as an electronic copy of the Self-evaluation Report, to the attention of the GAC. After receipt, copies are forwarded to all HRMI Board members for review and consideration. Upon acceptance of the report, the Candidate Institution is notified, and the on-site visit is scheduled.
3- Onsite Visit Evaluation
The dates of the on-site visit are agreed upon by both the GAC Board and the Candidate Center. GAC Board on-site visit teams are normally comprised of one team lead and one or two additional team members. At least one member of the team will be a HR practitioner, and at least one member of the team will be from the HR academic community. During the on-site visit, team members:
- Follow up on any question raised by the GAC Board during the review of the self-evaluation report
- Spend time interviewing key administrative officers, program representatives, faculty members and students that are enrolled or have graduated from the program
- Review any classroom facilities, library resources and other resources used to support the program
GAC Board on-site visits typically require two to three business days to complete. The Candidate Institution is responsible for lodging and all expenses associated with the visit. At the completion of the visit, the team presents its findings to the Candidate Institution for review and verification. The final On-Site Visit Report and recommendations are then forwarded to the GAC Board for a final decision.
4- The GAC Decision
Upon receipt of the On-Site Visit Report, the GAC Board makes its final decision regarding a Candidate Institution’s program at its next regularly scheduled meeting. The decision is based on the collective evidence provided by the Letter of Intent, Self-evaluation Report and On-Site Visit Report. The GAC Board then votes to either:
- Grant Certification
- Defer Certification
- Deny Certification
Applicants are notified in writing of the ruling within 30 days of the decision by the GAC Board.
Through the Accredited Training Center (ATC) Program, the HRMI partners with professional organizations, NGOs, educational institutions, consulting firms and commercial enterprises to extend a wider variety of valuable professional development opportunities to its Continuing Education System (CES) Participants.
CES Participants can be assured that the HRMI has vetted the educational offerings delivered by its Accredited Training Center (ATC) and assigned them a learning unit. An additional benefit is that CES Participants are not required to self-report educational activities completed within the ATC Program.
ATC Advantages
If your company/organization offer educational opportunities well-suited to the HRM community? Are you interested in attracting HRMI members and other registrants to your activities, and building your client base?
The HRMI welcomes applicants who wish become an active part of our professional development programs.