1. The first step in the accreditation procedure is the internal assessment of the educational program by the (academic) institution or vocational school itself. This phase starts with the writing of a self-assessment report by the institution itself.  2. The second step in the accreditation procedure of higher educational programs in BMHI is the external assessment. The IMIA accreditation committee convenes an assessment panel (usually consisting of three experts) that is responsible for the external assessment of the educational program on location. The assessment panel assesses the potential quality of the program and whether the program fulfils the criteria set out in the IMIA accreditation framework. The panel follows the IMIA assessment framework and the assessment rules as laid down in the accreditation framework. The assessment panel creates an Assessment Report that contains its its objective findings, subjective considerations, and conclusions. The report contains an explicit proposal to the IMIA accreditation committee to take either a positive or a negative accreditation decision.

3. The third step in the IMIA accreditation procedure is the evaluation of the assessment report and the overall conclusions expressed in it by the IMIA accreditation committee. This committee verifies whether the program meets the standards that are defined in the IMIA accreditation framework. The IMIA accreditation committee takes a final accreditation decision and lays down its findings in a final accreditation report.

When the IMIA accreditation committee has approved the quality of the educational program and the fulfillment of the IMIA recommendations, the program is accredited. This means that the program receives a written certificate signed by the IMIA President and the IMIA Vice President of Special Affairs, and it is included in the relevant official register of IMIA. This registration means that the degree awarded by the program is recognized by IMIA for a period of five years, after which the institute can decide on re-accreditation of its educational program(s).

Finally, the panel’s assessment report and IMIA’s approval of accreditation of the programs are published by IMIA on its website. The Accreditation is valid for five years, after which the program can be accredited again. In the new self-assessment report the program has to show how it dealt with the recommendations made by the site visit committee on the prior review. Programs can be accredited on a provisional basis for 2 years, after which it is re-evaluated to determine if it meets the recommendations on the first review.

For details see: IMIA assessment framework for the BMHI education accreditation system.