THE ASFOR MASTER ACCREDITATION PROCESS
Summary
1. AIMS OF THE ACCREDITATION
PROCESS
2. WHAT IS MEANT BY "MASTER
PRODUCT"
3. ELIGIBILITY FOR ASFOR
ACCREDITATION
4. MASTER PROGRAM REQUISITES
5. DURATION OF ACCREDITATION
6. THE ACCREDITATION PROCEDURE
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1.
AIMS OF THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS
The accreditation process is designed to strengthen and legitimise the MASTER product
through the identification, on the part of ASFOR, of those programs which represent sound
educational projects in terms of content, staff commitment to quality teaching, of the
organizational commitment of the Institutions offering them and guaranteed continuity over
time. In evaluating the validity and soundness of a program, reference is inevitably made
to a number of criteria which include the experience of the various Schools, the
characteristics of individual teachers and outside experts involved, the subject areas
taught, etc. The realistic aim of an accreditation process at this point in the
development of our country, is to distinguish those Master programs which meet a
significant set of standards (applied globally, not individually) from the dozens of
tightly focused programs which often last only a few days, currently passed off as Master
programs on the market. In particular, ASFOR’s judgement as to the quality and
validity of the programs is based on:
• verification of the existence of clearly stated and objective
requisites of which the School is informed beforehand (objective and comparable basis of
judgement);
• the value judgement expressed by the bodies involved in the
accreditation process (first and foremost the Board of Directors of ASFOR).
We wish to emphasize the complexity of this assessment, which cannot simply be reduced to
a set of objective criteria. In fact in issuing a judgement, which is necessarily
discretionary, the bodies involved in the accreditation process must take multiple factors
into account. This should be seen as a reflection of their commitment to a precise
responsibility, a responsibility on which ASFOR’s authority and the consensus of its
members and external partners depends.
Finally, it must be pointed out that in awarding accreditation, the Board of Directors
must always attempt to assess the overall validity of the program in relation to the
country’s real educational needs. A program that lacks market tenability is doomed in
times such as these, in which all forms of state aid programs in all sectors, including
that of management education, are frowned upon, especially if the latter is seen as a
parking area or a form of disguised unemployment.
With its MASTER accreditation process, ASFOR wishes to take a responsible role towards
society, a role that suits the purposes of an association and which consists of
emphasizing the fact that quality management education is crucial and indispensable to a
more widespread and strengthened managerial culture without which the complexities of
modern business concerns in any field of economic activity cannot be tackled.
Focusing on the quality of programs means believing in the organizational learning
process, i.e. continuous improvement achieved through experience and by facing the
challenges of competing in the market. Accreditation is a useful service for:
• the market of potential participants, who are thus given a tool
to guide them in their choice;
• companies, which can rely on a greater standardization of the
product, given the existence of minimum requisites to be met, while the distinctive
characteristics of the individual Schools are nevertheless upheld;
• the Schools, which, in applying for accreditation, implicitly
commit themselves to the continuous improvement of their programs.
ASFOR’s purpose in carrying out this service is providing a contribution to the
growth and development of Management Training in Italy. The ASFOR accreditation process is
not meant to substitute but to integrate other evaluation and certification systems such
as those based on ISO 9000 provisions that take educational institutions’
organizational and managerial processes into account as well. In this regard possession of
ISO 9001 (or subsequent) certification will be viewed positively for the purposes of the
accreditation process mentioned in the present document.
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2. WHAT IS MEANT BY MASTER PRODUCT
The accreditation process is the result of in-depth analysis and thought on the experience
of the various postgraduate educational initiatives launched in Italy and abroad.
ASFOR, in accordance with the provisions drawn up by the specifically designated
associations (EFMD, EQUAL, CEEMAN) at the European level, has identified three different
types of Master programs with managerial and business contents.
Type A. Master in General Management
These programs are generalist in their approach and cover all the most important
functional areas and sectors of business. They address the needs of young graduate
students without relevant work experience and are designed to round off university
education for career path purposes.
Type B. Specialized Master programs
These programs are aimed at increasing knowledge of a particular function or sector of
activity. They recruit students with a previous degree that is relevant to the specific
subject area in question. This type of program does not require previous work experience,
although some students enter these programs after several years in a job.
Type C. Master in Business Administration (MBA)
This type is defined as a generalist program with the aim of integrating
knowledge/competencies in the different areas of business, from a strategic and managerial
standpoint. They address the needs of students with significant work experience and their
objective is to promote a career change or accelerate career advancement.
All types of Master programs mentioned above must allow the Master graduate to acquire the
ability to analyse and interpret managerial problems, to know and apply the main tools of
corporate management, to develop the people and behavioural skills a managerial role
demands.
A certain minimum time frame will be necessary if these objectives are to be achieved and
this applies to “in-house” educational activities as well as to “on the
field” projects and to internships.
These types of Master programs may include distance learning or online learning modules,
providing they are carried out in compliance with the criteria and standards established
by the ASFOR accreditation process.
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3. ELIGIBILITY FOR ASFOR ACCREDITATION
The school must have completed at least three editions of its MASTER program,
substantially meeting the eligibility criteria set by ASFOR. In the case of new Master
courses run by schools or institutions which already offer one or more ASFOR accredited
courses, completion of at least two course terms having the required characteristics will
suffice.
4. MASTER PROGRAM REQUISITES
Requisites for ASFOR accreditation are as follows:
4.1
Course Syllabus
The master must substantially consist of business management topics and must respond to
specific training needs present in the market. This means that all the characteristics
mentioned in the paragraphs below must be aimed toward satisfying the need for
specialization and professional qualification expected by course attendees
(participants/company).
4.2 Recruitment and selection of candidates
4.2.1 Admission criteria
For all types of Master programs candidates must possess a first or second level
university degree or similar educational qualification gained abroad.
Master in Business Administration program candidates must have a significant amount of
work experience at least 3 years if they have a first level university degree, 2 years if
they have a second level degree or a degree earned under the former university education
system. On an exceptional basis, schools may evaluate candidates without a university
degree but these candidates must have high-level professional requisites and a strong
cultural profile.
4.2.2 The admission procedure
The selection and admission process must be documented (no. of applicants/no. of
admissions) and must evaluate aptitude, motivation and ability to take on a managerial
role. It must consist of at least 3 distinct phases, based on:
• Academic and professional curriculum,
• Written tests, psychological and aptitude tests, group dynamics
tests
• Interviews (with particular emphasis on motivation and
orientation).
Contents and characteristics of these phases must be in line with the specific type of
Master program for which admission is sought.
The school must in any case analytically document all the significant stages and elements
of the selection process: number of applications received, number of participants to the
selection trials, number of admissions, number of (total or partial) scholarships granted,
etc.
4.3 Program structure
Considering that the program must ensure that candidates fully acquire the concepts and
tools of management and develop managerial skills and approaches, the Master must meet the
following standards:
4.3.1
Duration and structure
The minimum duration of the total program (inclusive of field projects and in-company
projects or internship) must be no less than 1200 hours for the Master in General
Management and 1000 hours in the case of Specialized Master programs. Didactic activities,
whatever their structure (lessons, exercises, group work, action research) cannot total
less than 600 and 500 hours respectively, for these types of Master programs. In both
cases a period of internship with a company (in Italy or abroad) of at least 400
hours is mandatory. At the end of this period the candidate should produce an elaboration
that shows his/her capability of applying the contents learned during in the course to
real professional situations (point 4.2.6).
Master in Business Administration programs, whether full-time or part-time, should have an
overall duration of at least 500 hours, entirely dedicated to structured didactic
activities. Since this type of Master program typically involves candidates with a
significant amount of work experience, in-company apprenticeships/internships are not
deemed mandatory; the program should nevertheless comprise, beyond the structured didactic
activities offered, work on a significant project with companies or other similar
qualified activity (e.g. research conducted on the field or with an international Business
School).
In the case of didactic modules involving (online) distance learning tools and techniques,
the total number of hours taught in synchronous (e.g. videoconferencing or on line chat
with teacher/tutor) or in asynchronous mode (e.g. Web-based training) must be
appropriately documented by the School and reviewed by auditors.
4.3.2 Syllabus
Considering the fact that business management topics are increasingly grouped into
“macro areas”, in keeping with a pedagogical approach that focuses more on
processes than on single subject areas, the course syllabus will be assessed in terms of
its inherent completeness and coherence, of the stated objectives of the course as well as
in terms of the fundamental economic and corporate knowledge taught.
Considering the training goals that an ASFOR accredited Master program must have, even
Specialized Master programs must dedicate at least 30% of the total number of hours of
didactic activity to general aspects of management, i.e. to the issues involved in
managing a company.
4.3.3 Faculty
The Master programs must have a core faculty, i.e. permanent academic staff, deeply
involved in the various phases of the educational process as well as able to guarantee
their long-term presence and systematic involvement in the various stages of the course
(planning, teaching and practical projects).
The core faculty must not number less than 10 members, with at least 5 years of experience
and each faculty member must have an individual commitment in activity structured in the
Master program (teaching, orienteering, evaluation process, assistance) of no less than 40
hours per Edition of the Specialized Master and Master in Business Administration
programs, and 60 hours for Master in General Management programs. Faculty members must
have been on the permanent staff of the School for at least 3 editions of the Master. The
minimum number of teaching hours required must be verifiable through reference to class
timetables and/or signatures on class registers, as well as to contracts, letters of
assignment and accounting ledgers. In determining the permanence of faculty, an annual
staff turnover of a maximum of 30%, except in cases of radical and structural project
changes would be considered satisfactory.
All members of the teaching staff must have at least 3 years of significant teaching
experience and/or at least 5 years of professional experience in a position of suitable
responsibility in the field taught.
4.3.4 Program direction
The program must have a Director/Co-ordinator of teaching and research activities
who must have at least 10 years’ proven experience as a teacher/educator and must
have a commitment in this role of a congrous number of days/year.
4.3.5 Teaching methods
Pedagogical methods should not be limited to the transmission of knowledge alone:
they should also involve teaching participants how to use managerial tools and approaches.
Teaching activities must therefore include extensive use of active management tools and
delivery modes (cases, exercises, simulations, role-playing, etc.), as well as field
projects aimed at verifying students’ capability of applying the tools in real-life
situations.
The number of students per class should not be less than 15 for Specialized Master
programs and 20 for Master in General Management and MBA programs.
In order to create an adequate link with the operating environment at least 10% of total
classroom time must be dedicated to company management testimonies and company
visits/workshops.
4.3.6 Teaching
material
As a general rule, teaching materials must have characteristics of quality in
line with a course which aim is to give competence and not only knowledge. Besides they
must be updated.
4.3.7 Evaluation process
Right from the start of the program, the methods for assessing students’
progress must be explicit and purposeful. Evaluations must be made at various stages of
the course, and they must highlight the results individual participants have obtained in
terms of (managerial) knowledge, competencies and behaviour, in objective and transparent
fashion.
It must foresee the minimum standard of results on the different didactic subjects and the
subsequent actions in case of negative or insufficient results. The evaluation process
must indicate also the total conditions of learning, in order to get the final diploma,
with particular attention to the evaluation of the field project activity.
4.3.8 Assistance Activity (tutorship, coaching, counselling)
Apart from the core faculty, the School must guarantee continuous assistance and
learning support for students by providing a number of internal units in relation to
the number of participants and to the characteristics of the course.
For each unit the School must indicate the role and the number of hours devoted to the
assistance activity (which must also include the in-company internship).
4.3.9 Research and Innovation Activity of the School ore the
Master area
In order to help foster the prestige of Master program teaching process, special
emphasis is laid on research activity carried out by the School or the Master Area with
regard to the ongoing improvement of the knowledge and competencies of its teaching staff
and to the production of original didactic materials that are made available to
participants.
4.4 Structural and organizational aspects
4.4.1 Classroom/auditorium
The School must have a Master program classroom/auditorium, or better,
department, that is adequately sized and furnished with appropriate educational equipment.
The Master department must be adequately sized and equipped with appropriate educational
tools either on respect of the standards of the accreditation process or the number of
students and characteristics of the course. There must also be a sufficient number of
study/work areas for groups (generally, 1 classroom every 6-8 participants)
4.4.2 Library and reading room
The School must have a well-stocked library making available to students:
- books/manuals
- CD-roms
- Subscriptions to financial/economic newspapers and periodicals and
specialised magazines
- Subscriptions to on-line data banks
Availability of reading rooms and/or similarly equipped areas even longer than the normal
time of the didactic activities.
4.4.3 Computer and support facilities
In order to provide an efficient learning the School must guarantee adequate
support facilities concerning ICT (i.e. PC linked in a network and with an internet
access, elettronic mail, printers…). If some modules are delivered in distance
learning, the related digital equipment must be suitable for this type of didactic
activity.
4.4.4 Other student support services
The School must guarantee the provision of some essential and specific services
for students: secretariat, internship and placement services, to which is asked to assist
the participants and put them in relation with the companies and the job market. The
presence of other support services such as leisure activities and accommodation services,
etc. would be desirable.
4.5 Alumni association
The School should foster the development of an association of alumni of the
Master program and make the necessary organizational resources available. The Association
has a role of link between the School and the alumni and helps the School in organizing
meetings and events on management issues.
4.6
Customer satisfaction
The MASTER participant, as the end-user of the educational product being offered,
must have the chance to express his/her evaluation of the course and degree of personal
satisfaction. For this reason the School must periodically survey these elements using
specifically designed questionnaires so that the necessary improvements to the course can
be made. Similarly, at the end of the course, ASFOR, using questionnaires of its own, will
be able to carry out its own sample survey of the opinions and evaluations of participants
and of companies employing them.
4.7 Career Service and Placement
Having observed that accreditation must be based not only on the overall quality
of the program offered but also on its market tenability, it is evident that the placement
of graduates on the job market is one of the most crucial points to consider in assessing
the program.
To this purpose, it is necessary that the Master program have a specific head in charge of
placement or that it include a graduate support procedure to obtain appropriate
professional placement. In quantitative terms, accreditation requires that 80% of the
graduates find adequate professional positions within 6 months after completion of the
program according to the following cases:
a) labour contract with companies, other public and private bodies, consulting firms,
non-profit institutions and NGOs, or other subjects in the manner provided by Italian or
foreign regulations in force (including so-called “atypical contracts”) as long
as the terms clearly state the non-temporary status of the contract;
b) certified entrepreneurial activities in the manner provided in each country (i.e.
enrolment in the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and Handicraft trade
register);
c) proven private professions as per regulations in force (i.e. enrolment in the trade
register, enrolled in the list of trainees, etc.).
4.8
Program financing
Both when applying for accreditation and in the subsequent promotion of their Master
programs, the Schools must explicitly disclose the principal sources of financial coverage
for their programs. These sources, which can be derived from specific accounting documents
(e.g. budget), must include funds and contributions of whatever kind paid to the School to
cover the costs of its Master programs and of scholarships made available to participants,
with the exception of irrevocably repayable student loans. As a general guideline, Master
program participants should contribute, directly or indirectly, at least one third of the
foreseen enrolment fee or of the overall cost of the program. Whenever financing is
granted exclusively or prevalently by public or private entities and/or is not directly
related to the market (scholarships, tuition fees), the ASFOR Committee will be
particularly rigorous in assessing the School against the individual criteria discussed
under the above points, in order to make sure that the course meets the actual demands of
the economic system and thus guarantees its participants a high level of placement.
4.9 The School/Educational Institute
In addition to evaluating the Master program, ASFOR believes it is essential to express an
opinion on the School producing the program. This is due to the fact that the quality of
the course cannot be separated from the value and prestige of the institution that manages
it as well as to the fact that – in line with what is happening at the European level
– the accreditation process relates to the School as a whole more than to its
products.
Bearing these needs in mind, the School must provide a comprehensive report that expressly
states the following:
• mission and strategy (including any alliances and agreements with
other Schools);
• organizational structure and governance;
• portfolio of programs;
• corporate connections;
• degree of internationalization;
as well as any further information item deemed useful in highlighting the School’s
role within its reference framework and its contribution to the development and
qualification of human resources finalized to growing up their profile in the companies.
ASFOR will evaluate the School not only on the basis of the present situation but also in
a perspective of upgrading in order to face the evolution of the market.
4.10 Evaluation process
Auditors are required to express a value judgement on all qualitative aspects mentioned in
this section on the basis of a specifically designed parametric scale. The purpose of
these value judgements is to integrate the quantitative parameters established for the
accreditation process, so that the bodies involved in the process can make an overall
assessment of the Master.
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5. DURATION OF ACCREDITATION
In accordance to what is stated in paragraph 6.2.5 below, The ASFOR Accreditation to a
Master program has duration of 5 years. At the end of this term a new process must be
carried out.
6. THE ACCREDITATION PROCEDURE
6.1 Bodies involved
Awarding
accreditation to a program and the right to use the “ASFOR accredited MASTER”
trademark is the result of a process of analysis and evaluation which involves the
following bodies:
1. the Accreditation Awarding Commission
2. the Auditors’ Committee
3. the Board of Directors
6.1.1 The Accreditation Awarding Commission
The Accreditation Awarding Commission is made up of three members appointed by
the Board of Directors, which also appoints the Co-ordinator thereof. The Commission
remains in office for the same term as the Board of Directors itself.
The Secretary of ASFOR takes part in the meetings of the Commission providing the
necessary technical and organizational support.
The Commission carries out its duties of preliminary investigation, assessment and process
control pursuant to the provisions described under point 4.2 of the present document.
6.1.2 The Auditors’ Committee
Members of the Auditors’ Committee are divided into two categories:
• academic auditors
• corporate auditors
Academic auditors are experts in didactic and educational processes. Pursuant to the
resolution of the Board of Directors academic auditors are recorded in a specific Register
on the basis of curricular records which show they possess the necessary requisites of
professionality and experience in the training activities mentioned above.
Corporate auditors are experts in procedural, organizational and administrative aspects.
They are appointed by the Board of Directors on the basis of recommendations received from
consulting firms, in particular auditing firms, with which the Association stipulates
special co-operation agreements.
Both categories of auditors must be willing to take part in the accreditation process,
contributing their experience and professionalism and dedicating the necessary commitment
and time free of charge.
The Auditors’ Committee, together with the Accreditation Awarding Commission, are
responsible for carrying out the prescribed on-site audits and reviews and for drafting an
assessment report on the basis of a special criteria checklist.
ASFOR will periodically organise specific seminars with the purpose of defining uniform
procedures to be followed during on-site inspections.
6.1.3 The Board of Directors
Apart from establishing the requirements and standards for accreditation, ASFOR
issues its decision on the awarding of accreditation and establishes the procedures
whereby the School’s ongoing compliance with accreditation criteria will be
periodically verified and confirmed. It also determines the amount the School must
contribute for the use of the trademark.
In cases of violation or lack of compliance with the established rules/standards, the
Board of Directors may take steps to withdraw the accreditation awarded to the Master.
6.2 Stages of the process
6.2.1 Application
The process begins with a formal application by the School to the Board of
Directors requesting accreditation of its MASTER. The application must be sent to ASFOR
and must be accompanied by the completed questionnaire and the necessary support
materials.
6.2.2 Preliminary assessment by the Awarding Commission and
start of the audit process
After examining the documents received and verifying that the School meets the criteria
for eligibility, the Awarding Commission initiates the accreditation process and appoints
an Auditors’ Committee (2 academic auditors, of which one acting as President and one
as corporate auditor) who proceed to an on-site assessment.
6.2.3 On-site audit
Once the terms of the visit have been agreed with the school’s Dean or
Director, the Auditors’ Committee shall carry out the inspection foreseen by the
accreditation process using the questionnaires prepared by ASFOR. This stage is normally
completed in 2 days.
At the end of the visit, or shortly thereafter, the Auditors prepare their assessment
report, which is sent to ASFOR’s secretariat.
6.2.4 Decision of the Awarding Commission and recommendations to
the Board of Directors
After examining the Auditors’ assessment report and, if necessary, analysing and
discussing their findings, the Awarding Commission draws up recommendations to be
submitted to the Board of Directors for the accreditation decision. In complex cases or
cases with specific problems, the Commission may decide to carry out further verification
and organise meetings with the heads of the Master and/or the school dean to assess the
situation, or to agree on any initiatives or actions that may ensure the Accreditation
Process requisites are met.
Master programs that do not obtain a positive evaluation may nevertheless be represented
with a revision and/or adjustment project orientated toward a course held subsequently to
the one originally considered.
6.2.5 Final decision of the Board of Directors
After examining the documents and listening to the opinion of the Awarding
Commission, the Board of Directors issues its decision on the accreditation of the MASTER
in question. This decision can take one of the following forms:
a) ORDINARY ACCREDITATION: granting of accreditation for a duration of 5
years as well as the right to use the “ASFOR accredited MASTER” trademark,
pursuant to the contractual clauses for the three types of Master programs;
b) CONDITIONAL ACCREDITATION: granting of conditional accreditation,
depending on the School’s willingness to make the specifically indicated changes
and/or corrections. Accreditation in this case will have a 2-year maximum duration. At the
end of this period ASFOR will verify—via new on-site inspections—if the
conditions have been met and decide whether or not accreditation will be extended a longer
period (up to a overall maximum of five years).
The two types of accreditation envisaged have an internal validity and therefore the use
of the “ASFOR Accredited Master” trademark does not vary.
In re-accreditation cases, non-positive evaluations may entail the suspension of previous
accreditation for the time required until a new assessment is made. Said suspension is
decided by the Board of Directors e upon petition by the Commission.
6.2.6 Maintaining accreditation
Schools planning to use the trademark for subsequent session of the accredited
program, up to the end of the 5-year term, must present ASFOR within six months from the
conclusion of the course with a report completed using a specific form in which the
performance and outcome of the course are described.
The failed submission of the report with an enclosed list of graduates and their
professional placement as well as other required data in the report form within the set
deadline may entail the forfeiture of accreditation. Furthermore, including for future
courses, schools must indicate any changes made to the program in order to enable the
Commission to verify the continuance of the requisites and standards required.
Should any significant deviations be ascertained, the Commission may decide to carry out
further audits and, in serious cases, recommend the Board of Directors to withdraw
accreditation.
ASFOR in any case reserves the right to request information and to make opportune checks
on the progress of the Master or on its aspects as per the Accreditation Process.
Particular attention will also be paid to the manner and contents of the announcement made
by the school in reference to ASFOR Accredited Master to ensure the proper use of the
trademark and the la transparency of business and/or advertising messages. Should
deviations and/or irregularities be encountered, ASFOR will have the right to initiate
procedures for an on-site inspection of the Master program under review and proceed to
suspend or revoke accreditation in the case of serious violations.
6.3 Cost of accreditation
Accreditation or Re-accreditation costs consist of:
a) a contribution to be paid to ASFOR;
b) travelling expenses incurred by the members of the Awarding
Commission and the Auditors’ Committee.
The contribution due to ASFOR is established annually by the Board of Directors.
For the current year the amount has been fixed in:
- accreditation::
€ 5.000,00 for ASFOR Members
€ 7.000,00 for No-Members
€
4.000,00 for Bodies with Accredited Master programs
- re-accreditation:
€ 2.500,00 for ASFOR Members
€
3.500,00 for no-Members
Travelling expenses for members of the Awarding Commission and the Auditors’
committee comprise fares and accommodation expenses incurred in the fulfilment of their
institutional duties.
For conditional re-accreditation or other situations in which a further on-site
verification by the auditors becomes necessary, the school must pay a supplementary fee of
€ 2,000 in addition to the reimbursement of travelling expenses.
6.4 Costs for maintaining the trademark
For each accredited program session ASFOR shall receive a fee for the use of its
trademark.
Said fee currently amounts to € 2,000.
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Master Accreditation Process