U.S. Department of Education Proposes Sweeping Overhaul of Accreditation Rules

The U.S. Department of Education has proposed a significant rewrite of federal rules governing how accrediting agencies are recognized and operate. The proposed rule would impose new independence requirements on accreditors and establish new standards for student outcomes, academic freedom, and program length. This change could directly affect bodies like the AVMA Council on Education, which accredits veterinary colleges, and aims to improve college affordability, strengthen accountability, and restore confidence in the accreditation system.