Before even assessing member institutions thoroughly, ALCUCOA first ensures that eligibility requirements for the accreditation status being applied for are satisfied. These requirements include: the existence of ordinance creating the LCU, establishment of a QA center or equivalent, CHED permit or institutional recognition and board resolution approving the program being assessed for accreditation, list of graduates for the last three years, inventory of graduates, comparative statistics on passing, enrollment, graduation, and employability rates, the OBE curriculum and teaching-learning plan, plantilla of personnel, and faculty development plan. This also requires that best practices are evident.
Every LCU must submit the following minimum eligibility requirements to qualify for each level. Eligibility is assessed at the beginning of the accreditation visit. The assigned program accreditor attests to the compliance on eligibility requirements through the Certificate of Eligibility.
| INDICATORS | CANDIDATE | LEVEL 1 | LEVEL II | LEVEL III |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Institutional Mechanism | Presence of AIP, MPP, Grievance Machinery, PRAISE, SPMS, among others | Presence of operational AIP, MPP, Grievance Machinery, PRAISE, SPMS, and other similar personnel mechanism | Presence of operational AIP, MPP, Grievance Machinery, PRAISE, SPMS, and other similar personnel mechanism | Presence of operational AIP, MPP, Grievance Machinery, PRAISE, SPMS, and other similar personnel mechanism |
| Board Program Passing Rate | Passing percentage improving over time and preferably above national passing rate. | Above National Percentage rating and 15%-25% Higher compared to previous performance | Above National Percentage rating and25%-50% Higher compared to previous performance | Above National Percentage rating and 51%-80% Higher compared to previous performance |
| Faculty Plantilla | Provision for permanent plantilla positions | 20% of the total full-time faculty population have permanent appointment | 30% of the total full-time faculty population have permanent appointment | 40% of the total full-time faculty population have permanent appointment |
| Faculty Development Program | Existence of Training Management and Development Plan for Faculty and Staff. | 20% of the faculty population has undergone professional training and seminars | 30% of the faculty population has undergone professional training and seminars | 40% of the faculty population has undergone professional training and seminars |
| Employability Rate | Existence of an established Alumni Tracking System. | 100%tracking of graduates for the last (3) years 25% employment rate out of 100% tracked graduates for the past three (3) years | 100%tracking of graduates for the last (3) years 50% employment rate out of 100% tracked graduates for the past three (3) years | 100% tracking of graduates for the last (3) years 80% employment rate out of 100% tracked graduates for the past three (3) years |
| Research | No. of Faculty Engaged in Research Presentation No. of Faculty with Published Research Institutional and College Publication | Existence of Research Journal and Research Agenda 25% of Faculty Engaged in Research Presentation or Publication | Existence of Research Journal and Research Agenda 50% of Faculty Engaged in Research Presentation or Publication | Existence of Research Journal and Research Agenda 80% of Faculty Engaged in Research Presentation or Publication |
| Community Extension | Existence of Community Extension Program No. of Faculty Engaged in Extension No. of Students Engaged in Extension No. of Administrative Employees Engaged in Extension | Existence of Research-Based Community Extension Program 25% of Faculty Engaged in Extension 25% of Students Engaged in Extension 25% of Administrative Employees Engaged in Extension | Existence of Research-Based Community Extension Program 50% of Faculty Engaged in Extension 50% of Students Engaged in Extension 50% of Administrative Employees Engaged in Extension | Existence of Research - Based Community Extension Program 80% of Faculty Engaged in Extension 80% of Students Engaged in Extension 80% of Administrative Employees Engaged in Extension |
| Best Practices | Existence of Research - Based Community Extension Program 80% of Faculty Engaged in Extension 80% of Students Engaged in Extension 80% of Administrative Employees Engaged in Extension | The institution demonstrates at least (2) Best Practices. | The institution demonstrates at least (4) Best Practices. | The institution demonstrates at least (6) Best Practices. |
In the determination of eligibility for the next level of accreditation, the documents subject for review and validation shall include documents submitted and data generated for the last three (3) years reckoned from the date of application for accreditation and for purposes of determining trainings attended, employability rate, enrolment rate, completion and graduation rate, passing rate, drop-out rate, financial position and the like.
The documents outside of three (3) years may be considered when applying for a candidate status and provided however these documents still has its significance and value for programs under accreditation e.g. permit/recognition, school lay-out and the like.