Korea Architectural Accrediting Board

87 Hyoryeong-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 06687

E-mail: admin@kaab.or.kr http://www.kaab.or.kr

KAAB Conditions & Procedures

For Professional Degree Programs in Architecture

2018 Edition
CONTENTS

1. Introduction of the KAAB and an Overview of the Accrediting Procedure

1.1 Introduction to the Korean Architectural Accreditation Board ------------ 1
1.2 Overview of the Accreditation Process

2. Conditions for Accreditation ------------------------------------------------------------- 5

Part I. KAAB Perspectives on Architectural Education ------------------------- 8
2.1 KAAB Perspectives on Architectural Education

Part II. Educational Program and Resources -------------------------------------- 10

2.2 Self Assessment System of Professional Degree Program
2.3 Degree and Curriculum
2.4 Student Information
2.5 Human Resources and Utilization
2.6 Physical & Information Resources
2.7 Financial Resources
2.8 Research Development

Part III. Educational Outcome ----------------------------------------------------------- 15

2.9 Student Performance Criteria (SPC)

3. Architecture Program Report (APR) -------------------------------------------------- 20

3.1 Program Overview
3.2 Progress Since the Previous Site Visit
3.3 Program Response to the KAAB Conditions and Procedures
3.4 Supplements

4. Accreditation Procedure ------------------------------------------------------------------ 24

4.1 Application for Accreditation
4.2 Review of Architecture Program Report
4.3 Accreditation Site Visit Team
4.4 Follow-up of the Visit
4.5 Annual Report
4.6 Focused Evaluation
4.7 Disclosure of Information for Public
4.8 KAAB Workshop and Training of Accreditation Visit Team Members
4.9 Procedure for Revision of Conditions and Procedures and Annual Review
of Operation of Accreditation

Appendix
Criteria of Evaluation for Applications of Candidacy Status & Accreditation -------- 72
1. Introduction of the KAAB and an Overview of the Accrediting Procedure

1.1 Introduction to the Korean Architectural Accreditation Board

(1) Mission of KAAB

Professional degree programs in architecture are responsible for the education of
future architects who are challenged with the complex and diverse architectural need of
society. The methods of education of the programs may vary, but it is prudent to
establish a standard, which establishes a level of competence and understanding
required to become a registered architect. The Korea Architectural Accrediting Board
(KAAB, hereafter) was established in January 2005 with the mission of establishing
such a standard criteria and the accreditation of professional degree programs in
architecture. The KAAB further aspires to contribute to the construction industry and
society as a whole through the improvement of architectural education for future
professionals.

(2) Introduction of the Architectural Accreditation

The KAAB was established by the Federation of Institutes of Korean Architects (FIKA),
and is collaboration between the three major architecture-related institutes in Korea:
the Architectural Institute of Korea, the Korean Institute of Registered Architects, and
the Korean Institutes of Architects. The KAAB was approved by the Ministry of
Construction and Transportation (what is now, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and
Transport) as an incorporated body in 2005. The first version of KAAB conditions and
procedures was officially published in 2005, and a formal accreditation procedure
began in the fall of the same year when an application for accreditation was submitted.
In accordance with the established criteria and guidelines, the KAAB carries out
accreditation site visits and consults on architectural education to professional
architecture programs.

The KAAB is organized as a corporation in order to maintain independence and

autonomy. It is stipulated in the Architects Act1 that a degree from an accredited
professional architectural degree program is required prior to taking the qualification
examination for an architect’s license. The KAAB is also expected to act as the sole
evaluation/accreditation agency for higher education in architecture, approved2 by the

1 Revised 2011.5.30, Implemented 2012.5.30

2 Initial approval 2012.5.31, Continuing approval 2017.5.31

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Ministry of Education in Korea. It is through such an institutional establishment that the
KAAB is recognized as a credible accrediting system.

The KAAB encourages individual programs to voluntarily acquire accreditation in order

to improve and maintain a high level of educational quality. In order to guarantee
fairness and transparency, the review process is conducted by a peer review team
composed of volunteers from the three architectural institutes. The accreditation
process is based on the following principles in order to guarantee the enhancement of
education quality, fairness of accreditation, and autonomy of each individual program:
all of which are the values that the KAAB aspires to achieve.

▪ The KAAB is independently operated.

▪ The three architectural institutes constituting the KAAB are responsible for the
constant improvement of the KAAB through self-evaluation.
▪ Accreditation is based on a Visit Team Report submitted by the accreditation
team’s visit to the program.
▪ Evaluation and accreditation will be conducted fairly and transparently by a site
Visit Team, composed of members representing the three architectural
institutes, with participation of representatives of the program being accredited.
▪ The whole process of the KAAB accreditation must be based on full
understanding of the KAAB Conditions and Procedures and in complete
agreement with the contents. .

The KAAB promotes the enhancement of architectural education through its

accreditation, evaluation method, and independent operation, and is pursuing the
development of a self-appraisal model for the accreditation and evaluation of higher
education – a goal shared by the nation. The KAAB conditions, procedures and
guidelines are fair, transparent, and professional enough to be recognized not only
domestically but also internationally, as a signatory of the Canberra Accord and leading
to reflect the goals of the UNESCO-UIA Validation Council for Architectural education3.

1.2 Overview of the Accreditation Process

▪ Applying for Candidacy status for Accreditation

An architecture program seeking candidate status for accreditation submits its

3 The Objectives of Architectural Education, UNESCO-UIA Charter of Architectural Education Rev.2017.

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application to the KAAB to demonstrate that the program satisfies the requirements
of the KAAB Conditions and Procedures 2018 version, or KAAB C&P (2013).

▪ Submission of Application for Accreditation

An architecture program seeking accreditation submits its application for
accreditation to the KAAB according to the procedures stipulated in 4.1.3
Accreditation Procedure of the KAAB C&P (2018).

▪ Acceptance of Application for Accreditation and Visit Team Organization

The KAAB reviews the application for completeness before it accepts the
application. Upon acceptance of the application, the program prepares an
Architectural Program Report (APR) while the Accreditation Task Force Committee
of the KAAB initiates the organization of a site visit team. The visiting team,
composed of five (5) members including a team chair, determines a site visit
schedule with input from the program. The Accreditation Task Force Committee of
the KAAB informs the site visit team members of their responsibilities and
obligations.

▪ Submission of the Architecture Program Report (APR)

The program submits its APR containing relevant information and data required for
accreditation. Architectural Program Report of the KAAB C&P (2018) in Chapter 3
describes the items to be included in an APR in detail.

▪ Review of the Architecture Program Report (APR)

After reviewing the APR, the visiting team may request additional information from
the program if necessary. Upon approval of the APR by the visiting team, the
Accreditation Task Force Committee of the KAAB initiates the preparation for the
visit process.

▪ Site Visit of the Program

Upon determination of a site visit schedule, the program prepares the necessary
materials and facilities required for the site visit. (Refer to section 4.3 Visiting Team
for materials and facilities required by the visiting team.) The visiting team
proceeds with the site visit according to the predetermined agenda and schedule.

▪ Submission of the Visiting Team Report (VTR)

Upon the conclusion of a site visit, the visiting team prepares a draft of a Visiting
Team Report (VTR). The program has the right to review the VTR draft and bring

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 up objections. The visiting team and the program discuss any revisions and/or
corrections on the draft VTR resulting from the initial review. All team members
must agree on the final version of the VTR. The visiting team chair submits the
finalized VTR and the Recommendation of Accreditation to the KAAB and
recommends the terms and conditions of accreditation. The Recommendation of
Accreditation must be confidential.

▪ Site Visit Evaluation

Upon conclusion of a site visit, the visited program prepares and submits an
Evaluation of the Site Visit to assess whether the visit was conducted appropriately
and with due process.

▪ Deliberation of Terms and Conditions of Accreditation

The Accrediting Committee of the KAAB deliberates and decides on the terms and
conditions of accreditation based on the data and information submitted, the final
draft of the VTR, and the Confidential Recommendation of Accreditation submitted
by the Visit Team. The decision of the Accrediting Committee is submitted to the
Board of Directors for the final decision which is delivered to the program.

▪ Appeals by the program

The program may appeal to the Board of Directors of the KAAB for re-examination
of the decision if the terms of accreditation are4: Four-Year, Conditional Three-
Year, Temporary Suspension of Accreditation, or Revocation of Accreditation. The
Board of Directors administers the re-examination process.

▪ Annual Report
An accredited degree program (programs under accreditation status) must submit
an annual report before the end of February each year.

▪ Continuous Accreditation
An accredited degree program must apply for continuous accreditation before the
terms of accreditation have expired in order to maintain accreditation status.

4Three-Year, Conditional Two-Year, Temporary Suspension of Accreditation, or Revocation of

Accreditation for Initial Accreditation

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2. Conditions for Accreditation

Architectural education has two basic purposes:

To produce competent, creative, critically minded and ethical professionals and
designers/builders; to produce good world citizens who are intellectually mature,
ecologically sensitive and socially responsible.
UNESCO/UIA and Architectural Education: Reflections and Recommendations, Berlin,
2002

As the Union of International Architects (UIA) defines a clear framework for the
education of architects, architects should be capable of responding in a positive way to
the challenges facing society in the new century, and be able to work towards
continuous self-development across diverse cultural heritages.

Architectural education must be carried out with a clear and firm understanding of the
multi-faceted characteristics of architecture. At the same time, it is imperative to
establish definite criteria on which diverse programs can be systematically verified and
identified.

Accreditation is a quality assurance mechanism to recognize professional architectural

programs. Within the context of the international trend of architectural education above,
the KAAB establishes study criteria and guidelines for professional degree programs in
architecture. The KAAB aspires to foster professionals in architectural design who has
appropriate level of knowledge in dynamics of related industries, who can perform
his/her expertise with creativity, ethical values, and leadership. The KAAB’s criteria and
guidelines are equivalent to those of international standards set forth by the UNESCO-UIA
Charter in Architectural Education and the Canberra Accord. This will lead to the mutual
recognition of academic qualification within countries that have comparable accreditation
systems. As proclaimed by the new national Architect’s Law which is in effect, only the
individual with accredited professional degree by the KAAB has the right to enter the
internship process which is pre-requisite for taking examination of registered architect in
the Republic of Korea.

The list of core competencies below must be achieved by the conditions for
accreditation of Part 3, on the basis of Part 1 and Part 2 of conditions of accreditation.

1. Ability to create architectural designs that satisfy both aesthetic and

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 technical requirements.
2. Adequate knowledge of the history and theories of architecture and the
related arts, technologies and human sciences.
3. Knowledge of the fine arts as an influence on the quality of architectural
design.
4. Adequate knowledge of urban design, planning and the skills involved in the
planning process.
5. Understanding of the relationship between people and buildings, and
between buildings and their environment, and of the need to relate buildings
and the spaces between them to human needs and scale.
6. Understanding of the profession of architecture and the role of the architect
in society, in particular in preparing briefs that take account of social factors.
7. Understanding of the methods of investigation and preparation of the brief
for a design project.
8. Understanding of the structural design, construction and engineering
problems associated with building design.
9. Adequate knowledge of physical problems and technologies and of the
function of buildings so as to provide them with internal conditions of
comfort and protection against the climate.
10. Design skills necessary to meet building users’ requirements within the
constraints imposed by cost factors and building regulations.
11. Adequate knowledge of the industries, organizations, regulations and
procedures involved in translating design concepts into buildings and
integrating plans into overall planning.
12. Awareness of responsibilities toward human, social, cultural, urban,
architectural, and environmental values, as well as architectural heritage.
13. Adequate knowledge of the means of achieving ecologically responsible
design and environmental conservation and rehabilitation.
14. Development of a creative competence in building techniques, founded on
a comprehensive understanding of the disciplines and construction
methods related to architecture.
15. Adequate knowledge of project financing, project management, cost
control and methods of project delivery.
16. Training in research techniques as an inherent part of architectural
learning, for both students and teachers.

The architectural program seeking accreditation5 by the KAAB must be a degree

5 Architect’s Law, No. 10756, Revised 2011.5.30

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program (Bachelor or Master’s degree) consists of academic study at, or in association
with a university/tertiary-level institution sufficient to display performance of education
as described in this chapter. The period of academic study must be not less than the
equivalent of five years full-time studies. The conditions for accreditation is structured
in 3 parts, consisted of 9 conditions, and 37 criteria in total.

Part I. KAAB Perspectives on Architectural Education

2.1 KAAB Perspectives on Architectural Education
2.1.1 Architectural Education and the Institution
2.1.2 Architecture Education and the Students
2.1.3 Architecture Education and the Architect
2.1.4 Architecture Education and Society

Part II. Educational Program and Resources

2.2 Self Assessment System of Professional Degree Program
2.3 Degree and Curriculum
2.4 Student Information
2.5 Human Resources and Operating System
2.6 Physical and Information Resources
2.7 Financial Resources
2.8 Research Development

Part III. Educational Outcome

2.9 Student Performance Criteria (SPC)

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Part I. KAAB Perspectives on Architectural Education

2.1 KAAB Perspectives on Architectural Education

The KAAB encourages architectural programs to seek accreditation to align the
program’s perspectives with the stated mission and identity of the university to which it
belongs. The program must demonstrate how it intends to attain each of the following
four perspectives.

2.1.1 Architectural Education and the Institution

The program must be in line with other educational and research institutions
contributing to its university, and the university must support the program for mutual
benefit. The program must devote itself to fulfilling the educational missions and goals
promoted by the university. The program must address the following issues:

▪ Elements of contribution to educational & founding goal of the university as a

whole in conjunction with its future vision
▪ Support system of the college/university for human and other physical
resources

2.1.2 Architecture Education and the Students

The program must support and encourage students to assume leadership roles during
their school years and later, during professional practice after graduation. The program
must also provide students with an international environment to prepare themselves to
embrace cultural diversity. The following issues must be addressed for this mission:

▪ In variety of decision making, development of a collective decision-making

process with respect to other opinions and through discussions and mutual
cooperation.
▪ Provision of access to vital information related to the future of the students.
▪ Provision of opportunities to participate in domestic and international practice
and other related disciplines.
▪ Provision of an environment that inspires and encourages creativity, self-
confidence, and sense of self-promotion in the students

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2.1.3 Architecture Education and Architect

The program must create an environment in which students prepare for and aware of
internship requirement, license to practice, registration, and continuing education
requirements. It also educates students to correctly understand the basic principles of
accreditation for professional degree programs in architecture. Also, the program must
prepare students to be responsive to the needs of a changing world, and help them
adapt to the constantly changing role of architects. They must also face the challenges
created by the rapidly shifting cultural environment, requirements of clients and
regulations, and the ever-expanding body of knowledge. The following points need to
be addressed:

▪ Communication and interaction with registered architects and the professional

community
▪ Understanding of the importance and necessity of collaboration with
consultants of various disciplines
▪ Understanding the roles and responsibilities of related disciplines in the
practice
▪ Capabilities to coordinate clients, public and private enterprises and reconcile
the conflicts between them
▪ Means to provide internship opportunities during enrollment of the professional
degree program
▪ Whether the course work and other provisions of the program satisfies the
conditions and requirements for internships, license to practice, registration,
continuing education.
▪ Plans to educate students on professional ethics and the responsibility of
architects to society
▪ Inclusion of the KAAB statement in section 4.7.1 of the KAAB C&P (2018) that
explains the principle and effectiveness of accreditation of a professional
degree program in architecture, and whether the program opens for public
view the information related to its accreditation. (Refer to section 4.7.2 for
details.)

2.1.4 Architecture Education and Society

Professional degree programs must produce competent students who have a broad

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understanding of evolving social and environmental issues, and be able to produce a
plan to respond to these issues in the practice of architecture and urban planning.
Programs are required to make a concrete description to respond to the following
points:

▪ Understand the role and responsibility of architect in society including

reconciliation of the conflict of interests among various interest groups
regarding the spatial environment
▪ Cultivation of a body of knowledge of architecture to effectively respond to
social and environmental predicaments
▪ The understanding of professional practice based on public interest and good
citizenship
▪ Understanding the importance and having empathy for sustainable
environment and its conservation

Part II. Educational Program and Resources

2.2 Self Assessment System of Professional Degree Program

Professional degree programs must maintain a self-assessment system and mid to

long-term strategic plan in order to attain educational objectives and continue to
improve the program operation and its educational outcome. The self-assessment
procedure and strategic plans of the program should also be able to sufficiently
respond to the perspectives of architectural education and specified accreditation
conditions.

The assessment procedure should include composition of faculty members and student
recruiting (solicitation) plan, survey, and reflection of opinions of graduates. It must be
understood that mere evaluation of class work alone is not sufficient to assess the
overall achievement of the program objectives.

A creative and practical assessment procedure is essential to prepare for a site visit,
and the following points must be addressed concretely in the Architecture Program
Report (APR).

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 ▪ Description of the program’s self-assessment procedure to pursue educational
objectives
▪ Systematic and periodic means of collecting and utilizing opinions of faculty
members, students, adjunct faculties, graduates and other 3rd party members
to improve the program
▪ Appropriate analysis and evident of application for improvements from class
evaluation materials for core classes
▪ Mid to long-term strategic plans for continuing improvement
▪ Analysis between self-assessment outcome and earlier strategic plans

2.3 Degree and Curriculum

Curriculums of professional degree programs must be arranged in such a way that

graduates of the program have the ability to think critically and compete successfully in
the context of fast-changing society. Admissions for all incoming transfer student must
be carefully judged under the effort of program’s intent of sound maintenance of
student performance for all student body. The program’s quality of student performance
should not be compromised by any incoming transfer student. The program must
possess a systematic effort with evident for this matter.

Design studios must allow settings for one to one interactive tutorial format. The total
teaching credit hours for design studios must be minimum of 30% of total credit hours
required for the degree.

In case of admitting incoming transfer student into the program, any admission decision
must be made under a careful and systematic curricular evaluation process by the
program. The program must be able to present with clear evident for any permission of
equivalent credit or qualification.

Only the individuals with accredited professional degree can enter internship process
which is pre-requisite to architectural examination to become registered architects. The
accredited professional degree program consists of academic study at, or in
association with a university/tertiary-level institution sufficient to display expected
performance of a professional architect. The period of academic study must be not less
than the equivalent of five years full-time studies, which must be consisted of general
education and professional studies.

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The title of degree must be one of the following.

▪ Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch)

▪ Master of Architecture (M. Arch)

The following points must be addressed concretely in the APR.

▪ Degree conferred and description of the degree

▪ Description on the frame of curriculums including liberal arts subjects,
mandatory/elective subjects
▪ Matrix to demonstrate a systematic structure for completion of course works
toward the professional degree and management system of academic record
of each individual student
▪ A system of monitoring each student’s curriculum
▪ Curriculum objectives for each academic year and different levels of students
▪ Course description of individual subject and evaluation method of student
works
▪ Description of each studio class and general lecture class, as well as the
relationship between the classes
▪ Statistics on number of students with pass / failure / retake in each
class/subject offered

2.4 Student Information

The program must admit qualified students and provide them with every opportunity to
learn in a rich, educational environment. The APR must provide concrete descriptions
on the following points.

▪ Means and criteria of admitting incoming transfer students in accordance with

program characteristic or educational goal
▪ For master degree program, additional information of educational content for
incoming transfer students’ past bachelor’s degree level, amount and kinds of
admitted course credits
▪ Statistics on the quota of students, number of registrations, number of transfer
students by class or academic year, semester, and overall number

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 ▪ Number of students who passed and failed, and the ratio of pass to fail, by
class or academic year and overall number
▪ The ratio of faculty to number of students, and basic data for ratio calculation
▪ Distribution of leaflets or booklets to introduce the accreditation system for
professional degree programs for perspective students and parents
▪ Proof that the program provided students with opportunities for field trips and
group activities in and out of school

2.5 Human Resources and Operating System

The professional degree program must have appropriate human resources to support
student learning and achievement, that is, sufficient number of full-time faculty
members to share teaching and other educational responsibilities, and a sufficient
number of administrative personnel and assistant staff members. The program must
also have other human resources to support administration and teaching, such as
administration and management staff, and librarians. It is recommended that the
programs deploy staff members to assist CAD room, model room and others.

The workloads of all faculty members and teaching staff must be balanced to allow
enough time for their own research/study and/or practice for their professional
development. It is recommended that the design studio or practice-related subjects are
taught by practicing architects with sufficient teaching experience.

The faculty members in charge of studio classes must allow more than 40 minutes per
students per week to support a tutorial exchange between students and teachers.
The APR must address the following points.

▪ A number of students per instructor in each design studio

▪ Number of studio hours and teaching hour-count per 1 unit credit
▪ Workload of faculty member (undergraduate and graduate teaching combined)
▪ Means and criteria for recruiting faculty members, evaluating criteria for faculty
performance
▪ Information on full-time faculty members in the program.
1. Name, academic background/experience, date employed, rank and
position
2. Name of lecture(s) in charge and the class evaluation
3. Resume and recent achievements

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 ▪ Part-time instructor (design studio, lecture, invited lecturer, guest critics)
1. Name, academic background and major experience
2. Name of lecturer in charge and class evaluation
▪ Staff members for the program
1. Name, date employed, rank, and position
2. Name of the job in charge.

2.6 Physical and Information Resources

Professional degree programs must have appropriate physical and information

resources to support efficient architectural education. The APR must provide
descriptions and sufficient background data on the items listed below. The data must
include plan (w/ furniture), location, floor area, and quantity.

▪ Space appropriate for one to one tutorial setting, promoting interactive design
studio education
▪ Space appropriate for design presentation, review, display of works, and group
discussion
▪ Space and facilities appropriate for information technology courses and
printing needs
▪ Space and facilities appropriate for modeling exercises
▪ Status of available information technology resources, other equipments
exclusive to the program
▪ Status of information resources including means of consistent updates and
management
▪ Status of other physical resources equipped for the program

2.7 Financial Resources

Professional degree programs must disclose information on the financial statement, as

well as financial support given by the institution to other comparable programs within
the same institution.

The APR must address the following items:

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 ▪ Program budget, endowments, scholarships and other related items
▪ Annual expenditures per undergraduate and graduate architecture student,
compared to the students of the other programs in the institution

2.8 Research Development

The program must describe the academic and faculty research activities that enhance
the quality of education in support of the mission of the program and demonstrate the
achievements of the activities.

The following items should be included in the APR:

▪ List of research projects and respective grants

▪ Demonstration of the relationship between the research / design projects and
courses offered for the program in support of the program mission and
curriculum.

Part III. Educational Outcome

2.9 Student Performance Criteria (SPC)

The Student Performance Criteria (SPC), internationally prevailing standards, set

minimum requirements for architectural education and internship program that lead to
licensing and registration. It is composed of 26 criteria in 4 categories including Critical
Thinking in Architecture, Design, Engineering /Technology, and professional practice. It
starts with the fundamental knowledge of Architecture, and progressively expands to
technology, profession, and the role of architect in society.

Each Student Performance Criterion must promote integrated problem-solving skills

and design creativity. The academic program is expected to meet all criteria along the
course of education, and it must also demonstrate that the courses and subjects of
transfer students, whose academic experience and records/credits were recognized
and accepted, are equivalent to the respective subjects and courses of the program.

Each SPC item has one of the two achievement levels listed below:

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 ▪ Understanding: Students must acquire, comprehend, and be well acquainted
with information. Students can correctly paraphrase or summarize information
without necessarily relating it to other material or seeing its fullest implications.

▪ Ability: Students must be capable of manipulating and relating specific

information acquired to achieve tasks. Students should be able to select the
correct information suitable to the given situation, and facilitate it to resolve the
particular problems on hand.

Professional degree programs assess whether its curriculum fulfills the provisions of
the SPC established by the KAAB and the program’s capability to carry out the
objectives and the contents of the curriculum. The KAAB encourages a professional
degree program to devise a creative and unique system by which the provisions of the
SPC can be successfully fulfilled. The KAAB aspires to recognize successful systems
as role models.

The SPC is an indispensible part of an APR. The following points should be included:

▪ Subjects and courses offered in response to each criterion of the SPC, and
detailed descriptions of the relationship between subjects and courses.
▪ Detailed descriptions of how the courses offered fulfill the mission and
objectives of the program.
▪ Presentation of a matrix to demonstrate the relationship between the SPC and
the compulsory courses for professional degree.

[Critical Thinking in Architecture]

01. Architecture, Science, Technology, and Fine Art

Understanding of mutual relationship between architecture, science,
technology, and fine art.

02. History and Culture of Global Architecture

Understanding parallel and divergent histories of architecture with cultural
diversity.

03. History of Korean Architecture and Tradition

Understanding of the unique philosophy and principles of Korean
architecture and cultural tradition.

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 04. Architecture and Society
Understanding of regional, social, cultural, economic, and policy aspects
and their mutual relationships that influence architecture and city.

05. Human behavior and Spaces

Understanding of applying principles and methodologies of relationship
between physical environment and human behavior to the spatial design.

06. Sustainable Architecture and Urbanism

Understanding of principles of sustainable architecture and urban
planning for appropriate application of natural and artificial resources, and
the preservation of historical and cultural resources.

[Design]

07. Architectural Communication

Ability to express architectural ideas by design phases using diverse
media such as oral, writing, sketch, drawing, model effectively chosen to
different circumstances and audiences. (using English language in some
design projects)

08. Form and Spatial Organization

Ability to understand the basic principles of 2D and 3D forms and design,
architectural composition and to apply such principles to generate creative
forms and spaces.

09. Research and Analysis

Ability to identify problems and propose appropriate solutions based on
understanding of research and analysis methodologies of collected data
from relevant precedents, theories, and social phenomena.

10. Site Planning

Ability to analyze and evaluate social context and environmental factors of
the site and apply in site planning including exterior space design.

11. Accessible Design

Ability to design a building to meet the various requirements of all user
groups including people with disabilities for their accessibility and safety.

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 12. Safety and Fire Protection
Ability to design a building based on the principles of safety, fire
protection, and egress.

13. Integration of Building Systems in Design

Ability to understand and integrate building systems such as structure,
building envelop, mechanical and electrical services in design projects.

14. Design of Adaptive Reuse

Ability to define conceptual design strategy of adaptive reuse to design
renovation of building in response to issues such as evolving social,
environmental values, and sense of places.

15. Architecture and Urban planning

Ability to understand the principles of urban planning, to critically assess
existing urban plans and relevant issues to apply in architectural design.

16. Comprehensive Design

Ability to design on the basis of program’s educational objectives;
identifying problems and propose solutions, and to produce drawings and
design documents in variety of formats (thesis, reports, panels)
throughout design stages.

[Engineering/Technology]

17. Principles of Building Structure and Structural System

Understanding of principles of forces, fundamental theories and various
systems of building structure and their application in design.

18. Environment Control Systems

Understanding of the basic principles of thermal, light, acoustic, indoor air
quality, energy management and the application method of the
environment control system.

19. Building Service Systems

Understanding of the basic principles and the application method of
appropriate building systems such as mechanical, electrical, data, and fire
protection services.

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 20. Application of Digital Technology
Understanding of the utilization and application of various digital
technologies in design process.

21. Building Materials and Methods

Understanding of property and application of building materials, and
construction methods of building components.

22. Building Construction and Construction Management

Understanding of project delivery methods and construction management
to effectively facilitate physical, human, technical resources and budget.

[Professional Practice]

23. Ethics of Architects and Professional Responsibility

Understanding of Ethics of the profession, architect’s authority and
responsibility, rights and duties to client and society.

24. Architects Role in Project Execution

Understanding of professional documents and design phases such as
initial brief, schematic design, design development, construction
document, and architect’s role in multi-disciplinary collaboration and
reconciliation, construction cost estimation, design addendum,
construction supervision, and building operation and maintenance.

25. Operation and Management of Architectural Practice

Understanding of the principles and management skills required in the
operation of an architectural firm such as contract, financing, business
planning, marketing, project acquisition, and general management.

26. Building Codes and Regulations

Understanding of building codes and regulations related to public safety,
property rights, design, construction and practice, and of the legal
responsibility and liability of architects.

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3. Architecture Program Report (APR)

The APR describes the overall educational environment of a professional degree

program in architecture, such as educational circumstances and various resources.
The APR serves as a fundamental data point for the visiting team to prepare a site visit
and is utilized as a reference during a site visit. It is recommended that faculty
members, students, major administrative staffs and practicing architects collaborate to
produce a comprehensive APR.

While the KAAB does not suggest any particular format or give out any specific forms
to fill, it encourages the program to creatively produce a complete document within the
defined guidelines. However, the KAAB maintains the right to reject any APR that does
not conform to the special notes.

▪ APR and Supplement must be no more than 200 pages each, printed on both
sides of A4 size paper.
▪ Digital file must be in either .hwp (Hangul) or MS Word file and the total size of
file for both APR and Supplement combined must not exceed 100 MB.
▪ The following information must appear on the cover of the APR: the Title
(APR), names of program, the professional degree conferred, the program
representative and the year of accreditation.

The following list illustrates the contents and order of an APR.

3.1 Program Overview

3.1.1. History and Description of the Institution

Description of the history and chronology of the institution

3.1.2. Mission of the Institution

Description of the mission of the institution

3.1.3. Program History

Description of the history and chronology of the program

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3.1.4. Program Mission
Description of the mission of the program

3.1.5. Strategic Plans for the Program

Description of the program’s operational organization, management, system,
regulations, development direction, development plan details, mid and long-
range development plan.

3.2 Progress Since the Previous Site Visit

3.2.1. The Program Response to Deficiencies

The Program must systematically and objectively demonstrate the program’s
response to the deficiencies reported in the previous visit. If the program’s
response to deficiencies has been reported in the program’s annual report, the
response under this item may simply be a summary of the responses reported
in the annual report. The response must be in the following order.

(1) Summary of the deficiencies

(2) Summary of program’s response

In case of an initial accreditation, programs must systematically and objectively

demonstrate the program’s response to the deficiencies and recommendations
from the process of applications for candidacy and accreditation.

3.2.2. Program Response to the Change of KAAB C&P

The KAAB C&P is a living document that will be revised and updated
periodically with due process. In order to maintain accredited status, a program
must be prepared to respond to the revisions and updates. Professional degree
programs must demonstrate in detail that the program actively responded to the
revisions and updates within the context of the program’s characteristics and in
consideration of any outstanding circumstances.

3.3 Program Response to the KAAB Conditions and Procedures

A professional degree program must respond to each of the 9 criteria

21
 enumerated in section 2 and the requirements described in the subsections. The
program must also demonstrate the result of the program’s self-assessment, a
detailed plan of execution of, and proof that the program adequately satisfied the
criteria listed in the section 2 (Conditions for Accreditation of the KAAB
C&P(2018)).

The conditions for accreditation are enumerated below. Refer to section 2.

Conditions for Accreditation for detail.

Part I. KAAB Perspectives on Architectural Education

2.1 KAAB Perspectives on Architectural Education
2.1.1 Architectural Education and the Institution
2.1.2 Architecture Education and the Students
2.1.3 Architecture Education and the Architect
2.1.4 Architecture Education and Society

Part II. Educational Program and Resources

2.2 Self Assessment System of Professional Degree Program
2.3 Degree and Curriculum
2.4 Student Information
2.5 Human Resources and Operating System
2.6 Physical and Information Resources
2.7 Financial Resources
2.8 Research Development

Part III. Educational Outcome

2.9 Student Performance Criteria (SPC)

3.4 Supplements / Appendix

While an APR describes critical facts and items considered to be instrumental in the
evaluation of the program, a supplement contains information and data as reference
materials to support the facts and the items described in the APR. Supplements
typically contain the following information.

▪ Admission policy for new freshmen and transfer students

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▪ Regulations and codes for program operation and administration
▪ Course Descriptions
▪ Resumes of faculty members
▪ Annual statistics related to program operation

23
4. Accreditation Procedure

The procedure for KAAB Accreditation is as follows:

▪ Application for Candidacy status for Accreditation (For programs currently not
in the status of accreditation)
▪ Application for Accreditation
▪ Submission of APR to the KAAB
▪ Site visit of Visit Team
▪ Site Visit Team submits Visit Team Report (VTR) and Confidential
Recommendation of Accreditation (CRA)
▪ Deliberation and final decision of the VTR and CRA by Accreditation
Committee
▪ Annual Report Process

4.1 Application for Accreditation

The KAAB accredits professional degree programs in architecture of tertiary level

educational institutions such as graduate and/or undergraduate level programs, whose
educational mission is to attain program accreditation and maintain accredited status. A
professional degree program seeking KAAB accreditation must be a high-level
educational institution that is recognized by domestic and/or international governments
or other authorities, to confer professional degrees to students who successfully
complete a minimum 5-year full-time program. That is, a professional degree program
seeking accreditation must be either a minimum 5-year program at undergraduate level
and/or a minimum 2-year program (a professional master’s degree program requiring
total of 5 or more years of tertiary education) at graduate level. All the students in the
program must meet the requirements of the KAAB C&P. A Professional degree
program seeking KAAB accreditation must be one of the following:

1. 5-year Bachelor of Architecture Degree Program

2. Architecture Bachelor/Master Integrated Degree Program
3. Master of Architecture Degree Program

A professional degree program that has successfully received candidacy status and is
applying for the initial accreditation must, at the time of applying for the accreditation,
have students who will be graduating under the 5-year program the following semester.
For example, a program can apply for the accreditation in the fall semester of 2018 if

24
the program has students who are scheduled to graduate in 2019 after the completion
of the 5-year program.

4.1.1 Conditions for Application

A professional degree program seeking accreditation must demonstrate that the

program satisfies the minimum requirement of the KAAB C&P (2018). After review and
examination of an application for candidacy status for accreditation of the program, the
KAAB grants a candidacy status for accreditation to the program. The procedure for
review and examination of candidacy of a program is similar to that of accreditation, but
easier in terms of intensity. Candidacy status for accreditation is merely a prerequisite
for accreditation and does not have any effect on the outcome of accreditation.

The professional programs are eligible to apply for a candidacy status for the
accreditation in either March or September and followings are minimum periods
required to apply. Other requirements are as below.

▪ An undergraduate program that has offered professional degree curriculums for

more than 3 years since its establishment,
▪ An combined bachelor and master degree program after the completion of the first
successful undergraduate curriculum,
▪ Graduate program that has offered a professional degree curriculums for more
than 1 year since its establishment.

4.1.2 Accreditation Application Procedure for Candidacy Status

(1) Submission of Application of Candidacy status for Accreditation

A professional degree program must submit to KAAB its application of candidacy
status for accreditation by filling the application form on the KAAB website at
www.kaab.or.kr, which contains the following items:

▪ Name of and introduction to the program and the institution

▪ Response to the findings of any previous accreditation
▪ Introduction of the program’s organization
▪ Status of faculty members

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 ▪ Status of students
▪ Curriculum overview
▪ Current courses and classes
▪ Status of physical resources
▪ Volumes of books and periodicals in professional fields
▪ Appendix

(2) Evaluation of Application for Candidacy

Through a careful review and examination of application for candidacy, the KAAB
Accreditation Committee makes a decision to approve or reject candidacy status
for accreditation. Upon approval of the candidacy, the KAAB informs the program
of its candidacy status and recommendations. The program must demonstrate the
program’s response to these recommendations at the time of application for
accreditation. The candidacy status for accreditation status remains effective for
three (3) years from the date of approval.

If the application for candidacy is rejected, the KAAB informs the program of its
rejection, along with recommendations to improve the program and reasons for
rejection. Professional degree programs that are rejected for candidacy may re-
apply after one (1) year from the date of rejection. At the time of re-application for
candidacy status for accreditation, the program must demonstrate the program’s
response to the recommendations.

(3) Follow-up of Application for Candidacy

The application for candidacy and the results of the application must remain
confidential. Professional degree programs under candidacy status may apply for
the accreditation in either April or October while its candidacy status remains
effective. (Example: If the professional program has received a candidacy status in
March of 2019, the program has until Fall semester of 2021 to apply for the
accreditation) Failure to do so will terminate the program’s candidate status and
the reapplication process can take place after one year after the termination.

4.1.3 Accreditation Application Procedure

(1) Submission of Application for Accreditation

Professional degree programs under candidacy status may apply for accreditation

26
 to the KAAB by completing and submitting the application form on the KAAB
website, www.kaab.or.kr. An application must include the following items:

▪ Name of and introduction to the program and the institution to which the
program belongs
▪ Response to the findings of any previous accreditation
▪ Introduction of the program’s organization
▪ Status of faculty members
▪ Status of students
▪ Curriculum overview
▪ Current courses and classes
▪ Status of physical resource
▪ Volumes of books and periodicals in professional fields
▪ Addendum

A professional degree program that is currently under accredited status and

seeking continuous accreditation, must apply for continuing accreditation by
completing the application form on the KAAB website, www.kaab.or.kr and follow
the procedure in item (3) of this section.

(2) Evaluation of Application for Accreditation

The KAAB Accreditation Committee reviews and examines the program’s
response and recommendations made during the examination of the program’s
candidacy status for accreditation. If the accreditation committee finds the
response unsatisfactory and anticipates a negative result in accreditation, the
committee returns the application with the reasons of return.

(3) Follow-up of Application for Accreditation

Professional degree programs whose application for accreditation is approved
must submit the KAAB prescribed accreditation fee within one month and an APR
within five (5) months from the date of approval. If the program fails to pay the fee
within the prescribed period, the approval for accreditation is revoked and the
program must re-apply before the program’s candidacy status for accreditation has
expired.

A professional program approved for submitting application can still have chances
of cancelation of the status with following causes. If so, application of accreditation

27
 must be reapplied within the given candidacy status period.

▪ Failure to submit the Architectural Program Report (APR)

▪ Rejection or failure to submit requested amendments on the APR
▪ Unapproved postponing of the site visit
▪ Failure to submit payment for the accreditation

Upon approval of the application for accreditation and receipt of payment of the
accreditation fee, the KAAB Accreditation Task Force organizes an accreditation
visiting team, which will proceed with the review of the APR and prepare for a site
visit.

(4) Non-Submission of APR

If the program whose application for accreditation is approved finds it difficult to
submit its APR within the said five (5) months from the date of approval, the
program must file a statement explaining why it is delayed and request an
extension of the submission period up to one (1) month maximum. The KAAB
accreditation visit Task Force judges the appropriateness of the reasons for
extension before it approves an extension.

If a program’s application for accreditation is approved, but the program fails to

submit its APR within the prescribed period, the KAAB informs the program that
the approval for accreditation of the program may be revoked at its discretion. If
and when an approval for accreditation is revoked, the program must re-apply for
accreditation before the program’s candidacy status for accreditation status
expires.

If a program that applies for continuous accreditation fails to submit its APR within
the required period, the KAAB informs the program on its discretion that the
approval for continuous accreditation may be revoked. However, KAAB may confer
the program with a Temporary Suspension of Accreditation provided that the
program submits a statement of reasons for non-submission of its APR and
supporting materials and they are verified and confirmed. In this case, the KAAB
Accreditation Task Force informs the non-submission of the APR and transmits the
statement of reasons and material(s) to the Accreditation Committee. The
Accreditation Committee finds the statement of the reasons for non-submission
valid and acceptable and the supporting materials valid, the Accreditation

28
 Committee makes a final decision and informs the program of the final decision.

If a professional degree program terminates the accreditation process after its

submission of APR, the program must re-apply for accreditation before its
candidacy status for accreditation status expires.

(5) Refund of Accreditation Fee

If the accreditation process is terminated and the program must re-apply for
accreditation, the KAAB will refund the remaining portion of the accreditation fee to
the program, except for expenses incurred to process the follow-up procedure up
to the point of termination.

4.2 Review of Architecture Program Report

4.2.1 Reception of the Architecture Program Report (APR)

On receiving an APR from the program, the KAAB immediately distributes the APR and
the APR review form to the visiting team chair and the members. The visiting team
must report the result of the APR review to the KAAB within one (1) month from the
date of reception of the APR.

(1) Request for Extension of Submission Deadline

The KAAB, at its own discretion, may extend the deadline for submission of APR
at the request of the program. A program that needs to extend the deadline must
file its request prior to fifteen (15) days of the deadline date. The period of
extension cannot exceed thirty (30) days from the deadline. If a program is asked
to submit supplemental materials by the KAAB, it must be submitted within notified
deadline.

(2) Refusal to submit supplemental materials by the program

If a program refuses to submit required supplemental materials asked by the KAAB
without any reasonable grounds, the KAAB may consider it as failure of submitting
APR.

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4.2.2 APR Review

The primary purpose of the review of an APR is to confirm the clarity and completeness
of the APR, not to evaluate the quality of the program. The process is intended to
provide an opportunity for the visiting team to get acquainted and familiarize
themselves with the characteristics of the program. In order to help enhance the clarity
and completeness of the APR, the visiting team may request additional information.

The accreditation visiting team reviews the APR in terms of “Sufficient information,”
“Insufficient information” which requires supplementation, and “No information.” The
result of the review is reported as “Approved,” “Approved with request of additional
data,” “Conditional acceptance with request of additional data,” and “Rejection.”

(1) Approval
If the APR is approved, the visiting team files the report with the KAAB. The KAAB
informs the program of the decision and coordinates with the visiting team and the
program to establish a visiting schedule.

(2) Approval with Request for Additional Information

If the APR is approved with request for additional information, the visiting team may
decide whether the additional information must be submitted prior to or during the
site visit. If the requested information must be submitted prior to the site visit, the
program must submit the information within one (1) month from the date of request.
The KAAB coordinates with the visiting team and the program to determine the visit
schedule.

(3) Conditional Acceptance with Request for Additional Information

If the APR contains several unclear or insufficient parts, but is amendable and
acceptable in overall quality, the visiting team may render a Conditional
acceptance with request for additional information. Upon notice of the decision
from the KAAB, the program must submit the requested additional information or
evidence within one (1) month from the day of notice. If the visiting team finds the
information and evidence submitted by the program sufficient and satisfactory, the
visiting team may change its decision to Approved. The KAAB then coordinates
with the visiting team and the program to establish a visit schedule.

In case the visiting team finds the requested additional supplemental information

30
 insufficient, the team will send a notice of conditional acceptance for conducting
site visit, stating that the academic program is solely responsible for any
forthcoming result of the site visit, and the KAAB initiates scheduling the site visit.

(4) Rejection of the APR

If the visiting team finds it difficult to confirm the program’s compliance with the
requirements of the KAAB C&P and/or the program fails to deliver critical facts and
convincing information, the visiting team may reject the APR and inform the KAAB
of its decision. The KAAB informs the program of the rejection and reasons for
rejection, and requests re-submission of a new APR within a period agreed upon
by the KAAB and the program. If the new report is found satisfactory, the APR is
approved and the KAAB coordinates with the visiting team and the program to
establish a visit schedule. If the new APR is rejected again, the program may not
re-apply for accreditation for one (1) year from the date of the second rejection.

4.3 Accreditation Site Visit Team

Upon approval, the KAAB Accreditation Task Force organizes an accreditation visiting
team. The visiting team’s responsibilities include reviewing the APR, conducting a site
visit, and drafting a Visiting Team Report (VTR) and a Confidential Recommendation of
Accreditation.

4.3.1 Organizing the Visiting Team

(1) Candidates for the Visiting Team

The KAAB Accreditation Task Force compiles a list of candidates for the visiting
team at the beginning of each calendar year. The three (3) member institutes
constituting the KAAB, the Architectural Institute of Korea (AIK), the Korean
Institute of Architects (KIA) and the Korea Institute of Registered Architects (KIRA)
nominate candidates representing their respective institutes. In addition, the KAAB
reserves the right to nominate its own candidates who are considered to be
experts in accreditation. The candidates must be able to serve as a visiting team
member for a minimum of 4 years. The member institutes reserve the right to
withdraw its nomination of a candidate at any time.

(2) Assembling Visiting Team

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 From the pool of qualified candidates for visiting team, a visiting team will be
assembled by the KAAB Accreditation Task Force, and will be appointed by the
KAAB president. A visiting team consists of five (5) members selected from the list
of candidates and includes a chair, (2) practicing architects and three (3) educators
in architecture and related disciplines. The chair must have sufficient experience in
accreditation and at least two of the members must have previous experience as a
visiting team member. The KAAB Accreditation Task Force must consider the
following criteria in the selection of team members.

▪ Availability for s visit

▪ Any conflicts of interest
▪ Appropriateness of the members in terms of academic degree type, scale of
the candidate program, program mission and main objective, academic
system and others
▪ Completion of the KAAB training course for visiting team members
▪ Past experience as a visit team member (including as an observer)

The assembly of a visiting team is finalized with the consent of the candidate
program. The program has a right to appeal as defined in item (5) of this section.
Once the assembly of a visiting team is finalized with the consent of the program,
however, the program has no right to appeal or reject the team.

(3) Selection of the Team Chair

The Team chair is appointed by the KAAB president at the nomination of the
Accreditation Task Force and is subject to the acceptance by the candidate school
program. A team chair must be experienced in accreditation and have participated
in site visits as a team member a minimum of 3 times. The KAAB maintains a list
of qualified educators and practitioners.

(4) Conflicts of Interest

The KAAB Accreditation Task Force must assemble a visiting team in
consideration of the following points so that the team avoids any potential conflicts
of interest with the candidate program.

▪ Any personnel who currently is or has been employed by the program must be
excluded.
▪ He/she must have sufficient qualifications that the program recognizes.

32
 ▪ He/she does not necessarily share the same architectural philosophy but
should be capable of understanding the program’s perspectives.
▪ He/she must possess balanced and diverse viewpoints on architectural
education.
▪ Practicing architects must have educational experience.

(5) Appeal and Rejection by the Program

Upon completion of organizing the visiting team, the KAAB transmits the list of the
visiting team members along with their resumes for the program’s review. The
program retains a right to protest the list on the basis of conflict of interests and
make an appeal to the KAAB Accreditation Task Force to replace up to two team
members including the chair. If the appeal of the program is considered
reasonable, the KAAB Accreditation Task Force accepts the appeal and replaces
the requested member(s). The appeal can be made only once.

If the program does not approve the visiting team after the working through the
above appeals procedure, the KAAB considers that the program has no intention
to go through the rest of the accreditation procedure and therefore rejects the
accreditation.

(6) Confirmation of Visiting Team Members

After resolving any challenges raised by the program, the KAAB Accreditation Task
Force confirms the list of team members and the chair of the team. The confirmed
list is delivered to the program and the KAAB notifies the confirmation to the
members of the visiting team.

4.3.2 Responsibilities of the Visiting Team

KAAB accreditation is conducted through the participation of the program and

continuous communication with leaders and faculty members of the program during a
site visit, as opposed to the generally accepted reviews and evaluation procedures as
described in the section 1.1 (Introduction to the KAAB Accreditation). It is a process
designed to result in a proposal that encourages the development of the program
through regularly scheduled site visits. Since the team must review a vast amount of
information in a short period of time and the potentially diverse views and opinions of
team members must be consolidated, team members are obliged to be actively and

33
positively involved in the whole process of site visit and make a conscious effort to
promote and participate in communications and discussions.

The KAAB bears the obligation to notify the visiting team members of the following
responsibilities:

▪ Each and every member of a visiting team must fully understand the KAAB C&P
and must thoroughly review the APR to familiarize him/herself with the program. It
is also recommended that team members must be acquainted with the review
process of the KAAB, VTR format, and his/her fellow members by reviewing their
resumes prior to the site visit if necessary.
▪ Visiting team members must keep the information acquired prior to, during, or after
the accreditation visit strictly confidential, including and not limited to the contents
of the APR, academic program information, and the accreditation proceedings.
▪ While a team member may make a subjective judgment of his/her own depending
on his/her own view, he/she should be aware at all times that he/she is a member
of a team. A VTR must reflect the consensus of the team under the leadership of
the chair and each team member must make every effort to reach a consensus.
▪ Accreditation visits consist of a variety of issues. Each member of the team must
be familiar with his/her roles and responsibilities for each item and perform his/her
task faithfully.
▪ During a site visit, a team member must verify the questions he/she found during
the review by thoroughly communicating with faculty members and/or
administrative staff members of the program.
▪ It is recommended that team members provide their own office supplies and a
computer during a site visit.

4.3.3 Responsibilities of Team Chair

The chair of a visiting team represents the KAAB and the visiting team. His/her
responsibility begins when he/she is selected as a chair of the visiting team and
includes leading the visiting team to conduct the entire accreditation procedure and
guide his/her team members to reach a consensus to a VTR. His/her responsibilities
also include:

▪ Review and completion of APR review form

34
▪ Coordination with the program and the Accreditation Task Force to finalize the visit
schedule and the program proposed.
▪ Discussion of the accreditation procedures in preparation of the scheduled site
visit. Failure to do so may lead the program to file an appeal afterward due to
failure to follow the procedure.
▪ Visitation of the program one or two weeks prior to the scheduled site visit, to
check out the accreditation visiting team room and request, if necessary,
adjustment of arrangement of the team room and the exhibition.
▪ Decision on observers’ participation in the accreditation process, roles and
responsibilities within the team.
▪ Coordination of team members to draft and finalize the VTR and Confidential
Recommendation of Accreditation. It is also the responsibility of the chair to submit
the final VTR and Confidential Recommendation of Accreditation signed by the
members of the team within the prescribed date.
▪ Carrying on the follow-up measures defined in the section 4.4 of the KAAB C&P
and, if necessary, representing his/her team in the response to the request of the
program for revision of VTR.
▪ Monitoring team members and observers to check that they conduct their
respective responsibilities according to the KAAB C&P and due process and
protocols stipulated in the guidelines for the accreditation visiting team. The chair
has the authority to dismiss a team member or observer, if he/she is found be
causing an excessive disruption in the accreditation work and/or continuous
violation of the protocols and guidelines.
▪ Delivering the missions and purpose of the KAAB accreditation faithfully to the
head of the institution and the program.

4.3.4 Observer

The KAAB encourages the program to nominate an observer in order to ensure the
transparency and objectivity of the accreditation process and nurture prospective
accreditation members. If the program plans to nominate an observer, the program
must consult with the team chair to acquire his/her approval. The visiting team chair
makes a decision with respect to the conflict of interests - whether to accept the
nomination and informs the KAAB of the name of the observer.

The KAAB may also nominate observer(s) in the following categories:

35
▪ A soon-to-be team member for the sake of his /her on-hand experience and/or a
person nominated by the program that is scheduled to apply for accreditation
▪ A person nominated by a member institute of the KAAB
▪ A foreign expert from other accrediting/validating agencies or a visitor
▪ A person employed by or related to KAAB.

Without prior consent of the candidate program, no foreign visitor may participate in the
accreditation as an observer. In the case that it is necessary to nominate an observer
to comply with the request of an international accreditation system under the
agreement of mutual recognition of academic qualification, the KAAB reserves the right
to nominate an additional observer through consultation with the candidate program.
Upon the decision of the observer, curriculum vitae of the observer(s) selected must be
distributed to the KAAB, visiting team chair, and the candidate program.

The observation system is an official part of the KAAB accreditation procedure. All
observers are obliged to participate in the process of accreditation, including, but not
limited to, pre-accreditation visit training, accreditation visit and orientation. Observers
may not disrupt the accreditation process with his/her own personal schedule or other
disorderly behavior. An observer may participate in all the accreditation activities and
discussions and bring up his/her opinions during accreditation process. However, an
observer has no right to participate in the decision-making process on the individual
items in the VTR and visiting team meetings to make decisions on important issues
such as recommendation of the accreditation. The team chair must decide and inform
observers of their responsibilities, roles and the level of participation at the first meeting
of an accreditation visit.

An excessive behavior or protection of an observer in blind support of the program, or

disclosure of information and/or contents of a closed discussion without discretion, may
constitute a severe infringement of protocols and obligations by observers. Should this
take place, the team chair has the right to limit the participation of such observers.

The following person is not eligible to be an observer:

▪ Someone who has already assigned as a team member or an observer to

difference site visit team in the same visiting semester.
▪ Someone who is currently under a business contract or may have a business
relationship in the near future with the program to be visited.
▪ Someone who already served as team chair of past KAAB site visit team.

36
4.3.5 Site Visit Preparation

(1) Conveying Information from the KAAB to Visiting Team

Once the accreditation visiting team is finalized, the KAAB must send the following
information to all members of the visiting team. Additionally, a team member, may
request an APR and/or VTR of other programs as a reference.

▪ Contact information of team members

▪ Latest version of the KAAB C&P
▪ Latest version of Student Performance Criteria
▪ APR of the program to be visited
▪ VTR’s from the previous visit(s) and annual reports of the program (only
applicable for continuing accreditation)
▪ A template for VTR
▪ A form of Confidential Recommendation of Accreditation Terms

(2) Review of APR and Submission of Review Result

Refer to the description in section 4.2 of this C&P for definitions and procedures.

(3) Establishment of Visiting Schedule

The Accreditation visiting team must consult with KAAB and the program to be
visited. The program proposes more than two different dates to allow flexibility for
the visiting team in making its selection. The length of the accreditation visit is four
(4) days and three (3) nights and must take place during a semester while the
program is in session. It is a visiting team chair’s responsibility to finalize the
schedule and the accreditation workspace through a series of consultations with
the team members and the program. The chair informs the finalized schedule to
his/her team members and the KAAB.

(4) Finalizing Agenda of Accreditation Visit

Below is a typical mandatory agenda of an accreditation visit:

▪ Entrance team meeting

▪ Entrance meeting with president and other executive officers of the university
▪ Meeting with the head of the program and the faculty members
▪ Meeting with visiting professors and lecturers
▪ Meeting with the students of the program

37
 ▪ Tour of facilities of the program
▪ Review of exhibit
▪ Meeting with alumni (or practitioners in the region if needed)
▪ Observation of studio, lecture and seminar
▪ Writing VTR & Confidential Recommendation of accreditation term
▪ Exit meeting with president and executives of the university
▪ Exit Meeting with the students and all members of the program

The above is a list of suggested but not mandatory agenda. The items to be
reviewed may vary depending on the characteristics of a program. The team chair
must work with the program to establish the best schedule based on the
characteristics of the program. In doing so, the chair must:

▪ Be flexible enough to accommodate the characteristics of the program.

▪ Allocate adequate time for each agenda.
▪ Secure sufficient time for team meetings for discussion of the result of the
review.
▪ Allocate adequate time for the program to furnish requested materials and
proper responses
▪ Allocate adequate time for preparing draft VTR and Confidential
Recommendation of Accreditation Terms

4.3.6 Responsibility of the Program for Visit

The program must discover a creative means to demonstrate its curricular content and
the evidence of student performances effectively. The program must demonstrate and
convince the visiting team members that its education meets the provisions of the
KAAB C&P and its curriculum satisfies the Student Performance Criteria. To get
acquainted with the various methods, the KAAB strongly suggests that professional
degree programs participate in the workshop organized by the KAAB.

It may be prudent for the program to organize the curriculum and exhibits in
progressive order so that the visiting team members can grasp and comprehend the
relationship between the studio classes and general subjects.

(1) Visiting Team Room

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It is strongly suggested to establish a visiting team room within or near the program. All
the outputs of the students and exhibits of the other subject courses must be displayed
in the team room, and the visiting team must carry out all of its tasks in the team room.
Before the visiting team proceeds with the first agenda, the chair must inspect the
availability of all materials and items necessary to conduct an accreditation, and if
necessary, request corrections or additional items. The agenda of the accreditation visit
and curriculum vitae of visiting team members and observers must be posted near the
team room.

A team room must be:

▪ Secured for confidentiality. It is the team chair’s responsibility to manage security.

▪ Equipped with an adequate level of sound-proofing and ventilation.
▪ Furnished with a conference table large enough to accommodate all the team
members and observers and chairs, preferably in the same space as the students’
class output and supporting materials and information.
▪ Furnished with enough chairs to have a meeting with lecturers.
▪ Equipped with a telephone, a desktop computer with Internet connection, a laser
printer and copier, a beam projector and a screen, power outlets, and wired or
wireless Internet service.
▪ Equipped with heating and cooling systems.
▪ Furnished with a paper-shredding machine.

Office supplies and other miscellaneous supplies and fixtures may be furnished with a
mutual agreement between the team chair and the program. No additional items are
allowed in the team room other than the items listed above.

(2) Course materials in display

The program must display in the team room all the mandatory courses and electives
offered by the program. It may be prudent to display the general electives and studio
courses separately, but in a consistent manner and in such a way that the overall flow
of the courses may be easily traced and cross-referenced. All the displayed materials
must be cross-referenced to the course matrix and the respective student performance
criteria.

All the materials displayed must be those from the immediate past two (2) semesters.
For example, if accreditation takes place in the fall of 2019, the materials displayed

39
must be those from the spring semester of 2019 and the fall semester of 2018.

The display should demonstrate:

▪ Position of the course within the course matrix and cross-reference to students’
performance criteria.
▪ Course syllabus (refer to Appendix 5 of Guideline for Accreditation Visit)
▪ Lecture notes, references and other distributed materials
▪ Documents related to class attendance
▪ Documents related to class evaluations by students
▪ Videotapes or other digital media of students’ presentation
▪ Documents related to student field trips with descriptions of purpose of the trips
▪ Grading scores of the course displayed and distribution of the scores

(3) Students’ Work Outcome

The output of the students’ work must include course materials, quiz, test, and the
related final output of the students’ work. All the students’ work output displayed must
be original copies that carry real names and clearly marked grades. It is not practical to
display the outputs of all the students, and therefore, only adequate numbers of sample
outputs are selected to represent the groups of highest achievement and the lowest to
meet a minimum standard. The two groups of samples must be marked distinctively to
be distinguished from each other. It is recommended that students’ work be displayed
on a vertical wall with a priority given to the highest achievements. In any case, all
displayed material must be within the team room.

The display must include:

▪ Textbooks, references, lecture notes and other related course materials.

▪ Educational field trips with statement of purpose and schedules stipulated in
the course syllabus.
▪ Adequate number of student work samples in relation to the size of the display
space, number of courses to be displayed, and importance of material.
▪ Distribution of the grades of all the students registered in the class.

Suggestions for display of general subject output:

▪ Tests, quizzes, answer sheets and reports must be sampled for display to
represent groups of high, medium and low scores. The rest must be stored

40
 safely and available at the request of the visiting team.
▪ Presentation materials must be hard copies. If it is not possible to print out hard
copies, presentation by means of digital equipment may be acceptable with the
prior agreement of the team chair.
▪ In case of group work, credits for each contributor must be clearly marked.
▪ All student work output since the last accreditation visit must be stored in either
real copies or in digital form. Digital image files must have an adequate level of
resolution in either .jpg or .pdf files. A computer that can produce the images
must also be furnished in the team room.

Suggestions for display of studio work

▪ Only the drawings and iconic models originally made for class presentation can
be displayed for the accreditation visit. The number of or proportion of
drawings and models are at the discretion of the program based on the nature
and significance of the project.
▪ It is prohibited to re-work or reproduce for the sake of the accreditation visit. It
is also prohibited to mount on a panel and/or artificially regulate the size for a
unified look just for the accreditation visit. Reproduction may be allowed only
when the original work is destroyed and/or damaged. In this case, the program
bears a burden to prove that this is the case.
▪ All other project outputs and digital format outputs must be displayed as they
were presented in the class or at the time of critique and evaluation during the
semester. Digital devices may be used for presentation.
▪ If a studio class was divided into separate groups to work on a project with the
same goal and contents in the same academic year, the program may use its
discretion to select the outputs for the sake of efficient and meaningful display.
Contents and the extents of the display should be discussed with the visiting
team chair, and it is recommended to furnish the process of students’ design
works (student portfolio) not limited to end result. It is suggested that the
team room not be crowded with too much student work output.
▪ In the case of a group work, credits for each contributor must be clearly
marked.
▪ All the student work outputs since the last accreditation visit must be stored in
either real copies or in digital form. Digital image files must be an adequate
level of resolution in either .jpg or .pdf files. A computer that can produce the
images must also be furnished in the team room.

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(4) Faculty member work display
The program may display faculty member work and achievements voluntarily within or
near the team room, in order to help the visiting team members get acquainted with the
faculty members. The work and achievements to be displayed must be fairly recent,
preferably produced within the past 3 years.

4.3.7 Accreditation Site Visit

The accreditation site visit is a part of the accreditation process to help better
understand the program by physically visiting the program. The visit provides team
members with an opportunity to verify the APR and make first-hand observations of
details and intangible aspects of the program that are otherwise hard to detect. The
team examines documents related to institutional support for the program, reviews
student and faculty work, and conducts random interviews and a tour of the facilities to
confirm facts that may not be verified through the APR.

Before proceeding with the agenda, the team chair must consult with the program to
reach a mutual agreement on the agenda, in order to avoid potential appeal by the
program due to an error in procedure. He/she must also discuss with the program prior
to making any decisions on the change or alteration of the agenda.
It is the program’s responsibility to monitor whether the visit proceeds according to the
agenda as agreed upon. If the program finds any irregularity or deviation in the
procedure, the program must verify it with the team chair, who is responsible in
examining and resolving the problem(s) rendered by the program. The team chair will
not be responsible for procedural error(s) that may have taken place during the
accreditation visit but were not protested by the program.

(1) Accreditation Visit Agenda

The agenda listed below are all mandatory but may be organized in different order
depending on the situation.

▪ Entrance Meeting
The entrance meeting is the first official agenda item of an accreditation visit.
Team members review the KAAB C&P, the procedure and content of the KAAB
C&P, site visit protocols, and other general items regarding the accreditation work.
Team members discuss the issues generated during the review of the APR and

42
 enumerate and prioritize the issues to be cleared during the visit. The team chair
revises or adjusts the agenda to reflect the result of the meeting.

▪ Meetings with Key Members of the Faculty

Meeting(s) with the program head are held to discuss issues raised during the
review of the APR, questions about the program’s strategic plans, review changes
made since the last visit, any adjustments to the visit agenda, and any additional
information requested by the team. It is strongly suggested that faculty members of
all ranks and levels participate in the meeting with Visit Team members.
Professors in other related discipline may also participate in the meeting.

▪ Entrance Meeting with Chief Academic and Administrative Officers of the

Institution
The meeting with the president/provost and other administrative officers, faculty
members, and the students of the institution allows the visiting team to collect the
different perspectives held by the different constituencies of the institution.
Subjects include the program’s strengths and weaknesses, issues raised in the
APR, relationships between the program and other programs in the institution, and
expectations for the program and the accreditation visit. This meeting should
provide an opportunity to explore the institution’s mid to long-range plan to support
the program, and the importance of the program within the institution.

▪ Meeting with Students

The participation of a full spectrum of students representing different academic
years is recommended. Faculty members (of any program) should not be allowed
in this meeting. The meeting may begin with a brief presentation of the KAAB
mission and the implications of accreditation before the team engages in a
dialogue with students. The meeting is expected to provide an opportunity to
explore the program from the students’ point of view and confirm various facts. The
meeting concludes with listening to students’ suggestions.

▪ Tour of the Facilities

The team takes a tour to observe the facilities used by the program such as the
building that the program occupies, community facilities and if necessary, media
center, workshops, laboratories, and computer facilities. Interviews with personnel
responsible for the facilities are also recommended.

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▪ Review of Student Work Outcome
The main task is to review/evaluate the program against the SPC. Since the team
members end up spending most of their time in the team room, the review and
evaluation of the students’ work should be carried on at the same time. The Visit
Team may request additional clarification or supplemental materials if necessary.

▪ Meeting with Alumni

Through meeting with alumni, the team explains KAAB missions and the
significance of accreditation. The meeting is instrumental not only to learn
characteristics of the program but also to understand the alumni’s view of the
program and to grasp the current position of the program within the community.

▪ Observations of studios and classes in session

The team members may make a schedule to share the responsibility of observing
different types of classes and studios.

▪ Review of Academic Records

The visiting team reviews different types of academic records and any
supplements the team requests. If necessary, the team may request a meeting
with a person responsible for the record in question. The records that the team
may request include:

▪ Grade reports from specific semesters or courses

▪ Students’ class evaluation for certain courses
▪ Transcripts of recent graduates
▪ Evidence and documents in support of procedures for transfer students at all
grade levels as well as an example case(s) of actual transfer students
▪ Bylaws, regulatory requirements in handling of curriculum and its amendment.
Any documents to prove necessary procedures have taken in past of
amending the academic curriculum.
▪ Documents in support of the administrative criteria and procedures for faculty
evaluations, reappointment, promotion and documents supporting the
workload of full-time faculty members
▪ Documents in support of the operation of the program and management of
students
▪ Documents with regard to regulations and procedures for admission,
graduation, and leave of absence from the program

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 ▪ Records and minutes of the meeting of various committees in the program the
faculty members of the program participate in
▪ Additional information on budget

▪ Daily Exit Meeting by the Team

The team members meet every evening to exchange the result of the day’s work,
to review the progress of the visit, to adjust assignments between team members,
and to request any additional information.

▪ Draft of VTR and Confidential Recommendation of Accreditation Term

On the last evening of the visit, the team members meet to draft a VTR and the
Confidential Recommendation of Accreditation Terms. It is the team chair’s
responsibility to make a final decision but it is highly recommended that he/she
should make every effort to reach a consensus among the team members in the
deliberation of each and every item on a VTR template.

▪ Exit Meetings with Key Members of the Faculty, and Students

The team chair reviews the Visit Team’s findings at separate exit meetings for
program head with faculty members, and for students with all members of the
program. The review should include conditions “well met” and “not met” as well as
a summary of overall findings. For the sake of transparency, the team must leave a
printed copy of the summary with the program. Since the official site visit is
concluded at this point, the Visit Team members are not obligated to answer any
questions the program brings up but must go on with the rest of the procedures of
the accreditation visit.

▪ Exit Meeting with President/Chief Academic Officer and Administrative

Officers of the Institution
The team chair begins the meeting with a remark of appreciation for the effort of
the institution for the accreditation visit, and goes on with a brief report of the
findings. It is not necessary to elaborate on detail results of the review in this
meeting. The visit team is not obligated to answer any questions in regard to site
visit results. The Visit Team must leave the institution soon after all exit meetings
are over. It is strictly prohibited to be entertained or served by the program or
institution after the meeting.

(2) Early Termination of Accreditation Visit

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When and if the team chair is convinced that the visit must be terminated in the middle
of the visit due to negligence of the program or other unexpected complications, the
chair must discuss the matter with his/her members to decide whether the visit should
be terminated. A decision to terminate an accreditation visit must be unanimous. The
final decision should be made after consultation with the program being visited,
administrative officers of the institution, and president of the KAAB. The grounds for
early termination is as follows:

1. The Professional program has not prepared enough for the accreditation visit
and the visiting team is not able to proceed with the visit due to insufficient
display of student works.
2. Lack of or no response from the professional program during the visit.
3. Display of aggressive comments or actions toward visiting team by the
professional program.
4. Due to fire or natural disaster

If it is determined that there are need for an early termination of the accreditation visit,
the team chair must call for a meeting with the administrative officer or a representative
to explain the options. Options for the professional program is as follows:

1. Terminate the accreditation visit and resume the accreditation visit at an

appropriate time in the future.
2. Continue the accreditation visit, but advise the program that a negative result
may be stipulated on the final VTR.

If it is found that the program is not fully prepared and it is sensible to adjust the visit
schedule, the KAAB may use its discretion to apply result of Temporary Suspension of
Accreditation, and all fees incurred by the early termination process and any future re-
visitation of the team to the program must be covered by the program.

4.4 Follow-up of the Visit

4.4.1 Writing Visiting Team Report (VTR)

The VTR must describe the visiting team’s assessment of the program’s educational
quality in a concise and consistent manner. A VTR is the single most important factor in

46
the Accreditation Committee’s deliberation to decide an accreditation term. A VTR may
be instrumental in reinforcing the weakness of the program and/or to advance its status
within the institution. It may also be useful to provide future students with the integrity
and characteristics of the program.

The Visit Team also submits its Confidential Recommendation for Accreditation Terms
to the Accreditation Committee.

The VTR is first drafted during the accreditation visit according to the KAAB template
for VTR. The team chair must distribute the second draft of the VTR to his/her team
members for their review within ten (10) days from the date the accreditation visit is
concluded. Team members must respond with their comments and revisions within ten
(10) days from the date they receive the draft. The team chair must submit the final
version of the VTR signed by all the team members to the KAAB within thirty (30) days
from the date the accreditation visit concluded.

Contents of a VTR are as below:

(1) Summary of Accreditation Visit

▪ Comments of the Visit Team

The team addresses the overall comments on the program and the summary of the
relationship of the program’s educational objectives to the institution’s founding
mission and how the program operates to carry on the missions. The strengths and
weaknesses of the program are confirmed through the visit as stated in the main
part, and conclude with a suggestion to improve and further develop the program.

▪ List of Selected Conditions/Criteria “Well Met” and “Not Met”

Select only the conditions fully agreed upon by the team members. No other
description is provided other than the number of the condition and its contents. The
grounds and/or explanation for the decision are described in the space provided
next to the respective condition.

A condition/criterion can be selected to the list of “well met” if it is assessed to be in

line with the mission of the institution and deserves distinction as the strength of the
program. The program may use these conditions/criteria to enhance its status in
and out of the institution.

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 When a condition/criterion that must be improved to develop the program is
included on the “not met” list of conditions/criteria, the reasons and explanation for
the reassessment is also described in the space provided next to the respective
condition/criterion. The program must respond to the selected “not met” list of the
conditions/criteria in its annual report to the KAAB.

The selection of conditions/criteria “not met” is very sensitive to the program and
extra caution must be taken in the selection of the conditions/criteria “not met” and
the selection must be made with due process. (Refer to the section 1.2 Assessment
of the sub-items of the guidelines for accreditation visiting team.)

▪ Causes of Concern
Assessment of the conditions/criteria is classified either “met” or “not met” and there
is no other level between the two. Nevertheless, even if a condition/criteria is
assessed as “met” at the time of accreditation, the condition/criterion may likely
deteriorate if it remains at the current level in the future, and further, there may be a
case when assessment may be partially “met” and partially “not met” due to the
complexity of the condition/criterion itself. The conditions/criteria in this category
may be listed as “causes of concern.” Improvement of the conditions/criteria in this
category should encourage the program to make a better effort for further
development and provide sufficient opportunities to students. A clear, simple and
succinct description based on the facts must be provided in the space next to the
respective conditions/criteria.

The program must report its response to the selected list of “not met” and causes of
concern in its annual report.

(2) Responses to Previous Visits

The program visited for continued accreditation must satisfactorily respond to the
conditions/criteria not met and/or causes of concern. The annual report of the program
to the KAAB must demonstrate an improvement plan in response to the comments of
the Visit Team, conditions/criteria identified as not met and/or and the negative
comments on each individual condition/criterion assessed as “not met” on the VTR of
the past visit, as well as the result of the improvement plan. The summary of these
annual reports, especially the result, must be included on the APR for the next
accreditation application. The Visit Team verifies and assesses the results described

48
on the APR at the time of its site visit, which must be included in the VTR.

For a first time accreditation, a program without a previous visit may, instead, respond
to the comment on the review of its application for accreditation. The KAAB will provide
the response of the program to the team chair prior to his/her team’s site visit.

The items (3) to (12) listed below should be assessed in accordance with Section 2.
Conditions for Accreditation of the KAAB C&P.

(3) Response to KAAB Perspectives on Architectural Education

(4) Self-Assessment Program of the Professional Degree Program
(5) Degree and Curriculum Offered
(6) Student Information
(7) Human Resources and Utilization
(8) Physical & Information Resources
(9) Financial Resources
(10) Research and Development
(11) Students Performance Criteria
Visiting team assesses and comments on each criterion of the SPC in accordance
with the accreditation conditions and procedures and the Assessment of
Subsections of Conditions and Procedures of the Guideline for Accreditation Visit.
(12) Addendums
The KAAB summarizes the contents of the APR and the result is handed over to
the accreditation Visit Team.
(13) Signature of the Team Members
The site Visit Team chair and the members complete the first draft and of VTR and
sign the names on the visiting team report signature sheet attached to the VTR
template before the conclusion of the site visit. The team chair finalizes the VTR
through consultation with his/her team members and submits the final version of
the VTR completed with the signature sheet.

4.4.2 Confidential Recommendation of Accreditation Term

After the completion of the first draft of the VTR, the site Visit Team draws up a
Confidential Recommendation of Accreditation Term to confidentially recommend the
terms of accreditation to the accreditation committee. For the sake of confidentiality,

49
the observers must not be allowed to participate in this meeting.

The recommendation of the accreditation term must be decided by the consent of all
the members of the Visit Team and the reasons of the decision must be described. The
procedure for making decisions on the term of accreditation is similar to the
assessment of conditions/criteria procedure. The final decision must not be made at
the unilateral insistence of any member of the team including the chair. The final
decision must be reached through a mutual agreement of the team members.

The team must make an overall judgment based on the assessment of each individual
condition and criteria on the VTR. Each member of the team states his/her own
opinion. He/She must support his/her claim with objective and precise grounds to
persuade others and lead them to an agreement to his/her own judgment. If it is found
to be very difficult to reach an agreement and the division of opinions persists, the team
chair must make an every effort to mediate the different opinions to reach a consensus.
If necessary, the final decision may be reached by means of a majority vote. If
necessary, the pros and cons arguments during the decision-making process, as well
as the final decision-making procedures, may be stated on the confidential
recommendation.

The confidential recommendation of accreditation term must be signed by all the

members.

4.4.3 Evaluation of the Accreditation Visit

(1) Evaluation by the Candidate Program

Upon the conclusion of the site visit, the program draws up and submits to the KAAB
an evaluation report of the site visit process. The evaluation report is confidential to
encourage an honest and truthful evaluation of the program on the visit process. The
evaluation report may be instrumental in the improvement of the overall accreditation
conditions and procedures. Accreditation committee may utilize evaluation report in
determining of final accrediting decision if deemed necessary. Depending on the
significance of the contents of the evaluation report, the evaluation report may be
reflected in the final decision-making process of the accreditation committee.

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The report includes:

▪ Comments on the performance of the Visit Team

▪ Communication before the visit
▪ Credibility on review of data
▪ Proper execution of critical procedures
▪ Response to the characteristics of the program
▪ Fairness toward various members of the program
▪ Quality of the exit meeting
▪ Overall quality of the accreditation visit.
▪ Communication with the KAAB
▪ Positives and/or negatives in the accreditation visit process.

(2) Accreditation Team Report

Upon the conclusion of the site visit, the Visit Team reports on the overall performance
of the program, the site Visit Team, and the KAAB throughout the accreditation process
– from the assembly of the Visit Team to submission of the VTR. The report is
submitted to the KAAB and the accreditation Task Force, who review the comments
and suggestions on the report to improve the accreditation process.
The team report will be kept protected to promote free and open comments and
suggestions by team members and observers. Team members and observers are
encouraged to express not only the overall comments but also sensitive comments not
included in the VTR. Depending on the significance of the report, the accreditation
Task Force may transmit the comments to the accreditation committee who may
consider it in the final decision-making process.

Accreditation Team Report is separately prepared for team chair, team members, and
observers accordingly. The furnished report will be referenced for following:

▪ Performances of all members will be reference for future team formation

▪ Site visit self-assessment materials to develop education material for future site
visit team members
▪ Evidence to modify or improve accreditation procedures for future site visits.
Corrections may be executed immediately or apply for future KAAB C & P
update depending on urgencies and nature of needs

4.4.4 Expense Reimbursement

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(1) Accommodation and Travel Expenses for Visit
The KAAB is responsible for the expenses of the Visit Team members and observers
nominated by the KAAB. The program is responsible for the travel expenses for the
observers the program nominates including transportation, accommodation and meals.
If additional Visit Team members beyond the five regular members are required to
perform the accreditation for two programs in an institution, the program must be
responsible for the expenses for the additional team members. The program is also
responsible for the local transportation for official business of the Visit Team.

Travel expenses to other locations outside of Seoul are also a responsibility of the
KAAB. Transportation expenses will be calculated based on economy class fare for air
travel and express train for surface travel. Other transportation expenses will be based
on “Travel expenses Standards for Public Service Personnel”.

(2) Reimbursement of Expense

Immediately following the site visit, the Visit Team members must complete a
reimbursement form for transportation, meal and hotel expenses. The completed form
must be submitted to the KAAB with original copies of the receipts attached within 30
days after the conclusion of the site visit.
It is a general rule that the KAAB settles the request for reimbursement within 15 days
from the receipt of the request.

4.4.5 Confirmation of the VTR

The accreditation Task Force transmits a copy of the final draft of the VTR in order for
the program to validate the contents of the VTR. The program must respond to the
request of validation within 15 days from the date of its receipt. The program may
request a correction of errors based on the truthfulness of the facts on the VTR but
may not protest the comments or the result of the assessments on the VTR. No
response from the program within the said 15 days is taken to mean that the program
has no objections to the VTR. Should the program make critical objections and request
any significant changes in the VTR, the contents of the protest must be distributed to all
the members of the Visit Team and verification. The entire process of this procedure is
recorded and attached to the VTR for preservation.

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4.4.6 Decision of Accreditation

(1) Deliberation of Decision

The Accreditation Committee deliberates based on the VTR, Confidential
Recommendation of Accreditation Terms submitted by the site Visit Team, as well as
other information and materials submitted by the program.

The decision of the terms of accreditation is based on whether:

▪ The program has a working self-assessment system and makes a reasonable

effort to achieve the program objectives.
▪ The program established a rational procedure to improve the deficiencies identified
before the site visit with proper evidence. (deficiencies identified at the application
of accreditation for initial accreditation)
▪ The program offers an overall learning environment that satisfies the KAAB
conditions for a professional degree program.
▪ The program is producing graduates who successfully completed the program
according to the provisions of the Student Performance Criteria.
▪ The program has the resources to maintain an adequate level of achievement.
▪ The term of accreditation awarded to the program is comparable with other terms
of accreditation awarded previously to other programs in terms of equivalency and
consistency.
▪ All site visit procedure was properly executed by the review of Accreditation Team
Report

The accreditation committee makes the decision on the terms of accreditation based
on the result of the deliberation. The decision of the terms of the accreditation
committee is submitted to the board of directors for the ratification of the board. In case
final accreditation decision differs from Confidential Recommendation of Accreditation
Terms by the team, the accreditation committee may request adjustment with a written
request to the board. Refer to item (4) below for further information.

(2) Terms of Accreditation

1. The terms for the programs seeking continuous accreditation are:

▪ Full Accreditation of Six-Year Term

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 Accreditation is valid for a full six (6) years following the year of the visit when
unmet conditions are trivial and the program demonstrates a strong intention
to correct the shortcomings.

▪ Accreditation of Four-Year Term

Accreditation is valid for a Four (4) years following the year of the visit when
considerable deficiency is found, but the program demonstrates a strong
intention to correct the deficiency, and the Visit Team is fully convinced that
the program has the capability to correct the deficiencies. If the program is
awarded a four–year term consequently, the program is required to receive a
full six-year term in the following accreditation. Otherwise, the program’s
accreditation is terminated.

▪ Conditional Three-Year Term

Accreditation is valid for three years following the year of the visit with
conditions when considerable deficiency is found as in the case of the above
four-year term, but the program fails to demonstrate a strong intention and
means to correct the deficiency. The Visit Team stipulates the list of the items
to be satisfactorily rectified by the time of the next visit. The accreditation to
the program is terminated if the program fails to acquire either a four-year or a
six-year accreditation in the next accreditation visit.

▪ Temporary Suspension of Accreditation

Temporary suspension of accreditation is awarded when an accreditation Visit
Team is convinced that a program has failed to adequately prepare for an
accreditation visit. In order to support its decision, the accreditation Visit Team
must prepare and provide the program a list of deficiencies that must be
rectified before the next visit. The accreditation visit may be rescheduled at a
proper time in the future when the program is convinced that the deficiency
has been rectified and the program is adequately prepared for an accreditation
visit. The rescheduled accreditation visit must be made within one (1) year
from the day the term is awarded.

▪ Rejection/Revocation of Accreditation
The accreditation visit may be terminated and a rejection/revocation of
accreditation may be awarded, when the Visit Team finds during the visit that
condition(s)/criteria do not comply with the KAAB C&P, there exist irrevocable

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 deficiencies, and/or when the program fails to submit its APR within the
required period.
* Transitional Provision

▪ Professional program’s failure to receive a continuous six-year accreditation

need to request for a consultation within a year after the final decision. Fees are
covered by the KAAB.

▪ Professional programs that have received a three–year term in the initial

accreditation and fails to receive a six-year term in the continuous accreditation,
must obtain a full six-year term in the following accreditation. Otherwise, the
program’s accreditation is terminated.

▪ Professional programs that have received a conditional two-year term in the

initial accreditation must receive a four-year or a six-year term in the continuous
accreditation. Otherwise, the program’s accreditation is terminated.

▪ Professional programs that have received a consecutive three–year term before

the current C&P must receive a six-year term on the 3rd accreditation. Otherwise,
the program’s accreditation is terminated.

2. The terms for the programs seeking initial accreditation are:

▪ Full Accreditation of Five-Year Term

Certification is valid for five years. If the deficiencies are small and the intent is
determined to rectify them, the program will be certified for five years.

▪ Accreditation of Three-Year Term

Certification is valid for three years. If significant deficiencies are identified that
could reduce the quality of the program, but the program is determined to
correct them, the program will be certified for three years. For major deficiency
that can result in three-year certification, refer to the Guidelines for
Certification Evaluation.

▪ Conditional Two-Year Term

Accreditation is valid for two years. If significant deficiencies in the reasons for
the above three-year certification decisions are found and the program’s ability
to address these deficiencies are unclear, the conditional statement will be

55
 given. At this time, the the visiting team specifies the conditions to be fulfilled
before the visit in two years, and a two-year certification is granted.

Refer to the Guidelines for Certification Evaluation for major deficiencies that
can result in a conditional two-year certification.

▪ Temporary Suspension of Accreditation

Temporary suspension of accreditation is awarded when an accreditation Visit
Team is convinced that a program has failed to adequately prepare for an
accreditation visit. In order to support its decision, the accreditation Visit Team
must prepare and provide the program a list of deficiencies that must be
rectified before the next visit. The accreditation visit may be rescheduled at a
proper time in the future when the program is convinced that the deficiency
has been rectified and the program is adequately prepared for an accreditation
visit. The rescheduled accreditation visit must be made within one (1) year
from the day the term is awarded.

▪ Rejection of Accreditation
The accreditation visit may be terminated and a rejection of accreditation may
be awarded, when the Visit Team finds during the visit that condition(s)/criteria
do not comply with the KAAB C&P, there exist irrevocable deficiencies, and/or
when the program fails to submit its APR within the required period. New
application for accreditation may not be submitted within minimum of 2 years
since last review.

* Transitional Provision

▪ A program that fails to receive a five-year term during the initial accreditation visit
should apply for a consultation within one year after the final decision on the
accreditation review. The costs associated with the consultation are covered by
the KAAB.

(3) Rectification of the Terms of Accreditation

The board of the KAAB rectifies the final terms of accreditation submitted by the
accreditation committee and informs the program of its terms of accreditation. The

56
notice to the program of the ratification is made at the end of January for the
accreditation(s) conducted during the fall semester and at the end of July for
accreditation conducted during the spring semester. The KAAB announces the result of
the accreditation along with the list of the programs accredited on its website for public
disclosure.

(4) Adjustment of the Terms of Accreditation

The accreditation committee makes the decision on the terms of accreditation based
on the result of the deliberation by the visit team. But the committee may find concrete
reason to make different term decision. In case the committee needs to adjust the term
of accreditation, it may be requested to the board of directors in writing. The following
process describes the arbitration procedure by the board of directors.

▪ On written request by the accreditation committee, the board of directors appoints

one arbitrator among board members. The arbitrator forms a committee of
arbitration.
▪ A representative from accreditation committee, the team chair of the site visit team
must participate as members of the committee of arbitration. The arbitrator chairs
the committee. The committee seeks the result of the arbitration.
▪ The arbitrator reports the outcome of the committee in written form to the board of
directors. The board of the directors reviews the outcome and makes final
decision.
▪ The final arbitration decision must be made by the board of directors within 20
days of written request submitted by the accreditation committee.

The ratified arbitration decision by the board of directors is final. The all members of the
site visit team and the accreditation committee must bound to the decision.

4.4.7 Appeals and Arbitration

A program receiving either Four-Year Term (Three-Year Term for Initial accreditation),
Conditional Three-Year Term (Conditional Two-Year Term for Initial accreditation),
Temporary Suspension of Accreditation or Rejection/Revocation of Accreditation may
appeal the decision rendered by the KAAB. The application must be followed by the
submission of the necessary paperwork describing the grounds for the appeal within 30
days of the receipt of the decision. Any delinquencies caused by the program in

57
providing necessary information to the KAAB or the visiting team does not constitute
grounds for appeal.
▪ Upon receipt of the program’s application for appeal, the chair of the KAAB board
of directors calls for a board of directors meeting to examine and adjudicate the
appeal and to form a designated team composed of 3 members (1 chair, and 2
members).
▪ The program and the accreditation committee are represented by two delegates
each and make an argument to support their position.
▪ The members of the board of directors must make its decision and inform both the
program and the accreditation committee in writing.
▪ The entire process of the appeal must be concluded within sixty days from the day
the application for appeal is filed.

The decision of the board is final. The candidate program is responsible for all
appropriate direct expenses incurred by the appeal process which includes but is not
limited to the expenses for the board meeting, travel expenses, accommodations and
meals.

4.5 Annual Report

4.5.1 Purpose of the Annual Report

All the programs accredited by the KAAB must file an annual report to the KAAB. The
purpose of the annual report is two-fold. 1) For the accredited program to reflect upon
the previous year and to encourage the ongoing process of self-improvement. 2) For
KAAB to monitor the ongoing improvement efforts and achievements of the program
and incorporate all changes into the next accreditation visit.

The annual report must demonstrate, in writing, that the program has established a
clear and definite plan to respond to the comments and conditions/criteria assessed as
not met and/or causes of concern. In addition, the report must outline the execution
and achievements of the plan. The KAAB will aggregate and analyze the data and
make the findings available to professional degree programs.

4.5.2 Contents and Procedure of Annual Report

58
The Annual Report must demonstrate at the minimum the following:
▪ Summary of responses
▪ Responses to comments of the Visit Team
▪ Enumeration of conditions/criteria well met
▪ Responses to conditions/criteria not met
▪ Responses to conditions/criteria assessed as causes of concern
▪ Statistics on human and physical resources
▪ Application/non application of concentrated evaluation

The KAAB Accreditation Committee must review the annual report and transmit a
review of the report to the program within two (2) months from the day of the receipt of
the annual report. The KAAB files and reviews annual reports as one of the key
materials for the next accreditation visit to the respective programs.

The Accreditation Committee reviews the Annual Report for:

1. Completeness of the report.

2. Opinion of the Accreditation Committee to the program’s responses to the
conditions/criteria assessed as not met or causes of concern by the most recent
accreditation Visit Team.
3. Recommendation of any items that must be included in the next annual report in
addition to the mandatory items, if applicable.

In order to maintain its accreditation status, an accredited program must submit to

KAAB its Annual Report and the annual accreditation maintenance fee by the end of
February of that year. If the program wishes to extend its submission date, it may
request in writing of grounds two weeks before its original submission date. The
submission deadline may be extended for two weeks if granted by the KAAB. No
further extension is allowed. The report and the fee must also be submitted in the year
an accreditation visit is planned for continuing accreditation.

If a program fails to submit Annual Report within the requested deadline or the report is
found to be deficient, the accrediting committee may request a focused visit to the
program. By the request, the Accrediting Task Force of KAAB may form a focused visit
team and may determine the size of the team according to the magnitude of apparent
deficiencies. Refer to “4.6 Focused Evaluation” for the procedure of the focused visit.

59
The Board of Directors may adjust accreditation status to temporary suspension by the
outcome of the focused visit to the program.
4.6. Focused Evaluation

4.6.1 Purpose of Focused Evaluation

The Focused Evaluation process is designed to evaluate accreditation term of the

program through a focused visit and review the program’s progress in correcting the
deficiencies. By the benefit of the efficient focused visit, it aims to improve the quality of
the program by minimizing the negative effects of the program’s deficiencies effectively
in timely manner.

The Focused Evaluation is conducted for following purposes.

(1) Extension of Accrediting Term

Professional programs that have received a Four-Year (Three-Year for Initial
Accreditation) or a Three-Year Conditional Accreditation (Two-Year for Initial
Accreditation), can request for a focused evaluation for a chance to extend the
accreditation to Six-Year (Five-Year for Initial Accreditation). Also programs with
multiple professional programs can apply for a focused evaluation to have the
forthcoming accreditation term schedule to concur.

The terms of accreditation can be extended by receiving a Focused Evaluation by a

written request by the program. With a progress made by self-assessment on
improvements for previously noted deficiencies, the KAAB may grant a Focused
Evaluation for the program who seeks extension of accrediting term.

(2) Change of nomenclature

If a program with Full Accreditation term wish to change its nomenclature, the program
may request a Focused Evaluation to maintain the remaining terms of the current
accreditation status. (for example: from Bachelor of Arch. to Bachelor/Master
Combined Degree program, or Combined Bachelor Program)

(3) Adding another accrediting seeking program

If an institution seeks to possess additional accredited program within the institution in
addition to existing, it may request in writing for a Focused Evaluation for the new
program. To be qualified for a Focused Evaluation for the new program, the new

60
program must furnish the KAAB with adequate evidences displaying equivalent
qualities to already accredited program within the institution.
(4) Special circumstances
In order to satisfy any changes in law or regulatory needs by government or governing
body, a program may request a Focused Evaluation for special circumstances to meet
the changes and maintain the previously ratified accrediting term by the KAAB. This
evaluation will be supervised by the KAAB. Scope, method, scheduling of the
evaluation must be determined and notified to the program in advance. All fees
incurred by the review process must covered by the KAAB.

(5) Interim Review

Lack of interest in maintaining the accreditation term such as failure to submit the
Annual Report, or a failure to respond adequately to the conditions/criteria assessed as
not met or causes of concern, could result in the KAAB’s decision for an interim review.

If a program receives revocation of accreditation by the result of any focused

evaluation listed above, the program must confer with the procedures of application for
accreditation for continued accreditation.

4.6.2 Procedure of Focused Evaluation

(1) Application
A program may request a Focused Evaluation for the purposes listed in item 4.6.1. The
KAAB must initiate evaluating major changes in the program or improvements of
deficiencies through annual reports and submitted materials of the program on receipt
of written request for a Focused Evaluation. If the KAAB grants for a Focused
Evaluation, the Accrediting Task Force is notified the nature of granted focused visit
and preparation for a focused visit initiates. If a written request for a Focused
Evaluation is rejected, the program must confer with the procedures of application for
accreditation for continued accreditation.

(2) Focused Evaluation Team

The Accrediting Task Force forms team members for the Focused Evaluation
according to the nature of focused visit. All team members must have previous site visit
experiences; minimum of one each must represent academic and practitioners.
Including team chair, the team members are composed of three. The program has a
right to appoint a team member from previous site visit to the program as an observer

61
to the focused visit. The program has right to request to one team member of the
focused visit team to be re-selected on the grounds of conflict of interest. All
designated tasks and obligations of team chair and members are identical to regular
site visit.

(3) Focused Evaluation Site Visit

The site visit for a Focused Evaluation generally completes in one day but may not
extend beyond 2 days. Display methods, quantity, content of review materials, and
detailed site visit agenda must be pre-discussed and agreed in between the team chair
and the program in advance.

(4) Result of Focused Evaluation

The Focused Evaluation visit team must draft a VTR and a Confidential
Recommendation of Accreditation Terms as per the same method and procedure of
regular site visit. Procedures following the focused site visit are identical to regular site
visit.

4.6.3 The Result of Focused Evaluation

The process for the final decision and terms of accreditation is the same as the process
described in the subsection (4) Deliberation of Decision of Section 4.4.6 Decision of
Accreditation.

The final outcome of Focused Evaluation is one of the following:

(1) Extension of Accrediting Term

▪ Extension of Terms of the Current Accreditation Terms
If the final result of the Focused Evaluation process proves to be satisfactory, the
current terms of accreditation are expended to full five-year accreditation.
▪ Extension of Terms of Accreditation and Focused Evaluation
If the result of the process reveals material deficiencies and it is necessary to
confirm the intention of the program, the current term is extended to full five-year
accreditation with the provision that another Focused Evaluation is required within
the next one year.
▪ Return of the Application
If the program fails to respond adequately to the conditions/criteria assessed as not
met or causes of concern, and the KAAB determines that a Focused Evaluation is

62
 not effective, the KAAB returns its application to the program to terminate the
process.
(2) Change of nomenclature
▪ Maintain the Current Accreditation Terms
The program maintains without any changes to the terms of current accreditation
previously ratified by the KAAB.
▪ Maintain the Current Accreditation Terms and Focused Evaluation
The program maintains without any changes to the terms of current accreditation
previously ratified by the KAAB. The result of the process reveals material
deficiencies and it is necessary to confirm the intention of the program, the KAAB
orders another Focused Evaluation within the next one year
▪ Return of the Application
If the program fails to respond adequately to the conditions/criteria assessed as not
met or causes of concern, and the KAAB determines that a Focused Evaluation is
not effective, the KAAB returns its application to the program to terminate the
process. The program must confer with the procedures of application for
accreditation for continued accreditation.

(3) Adding another accrediting seeking program

Refer to contents of “(2) Change of nomenclature”

(4) Special circumstances

▪ Maintain the Current Accreditation Terms
The program maintains without any changes to the terms of current accreditation
previously ratified by the KAAB.

(5) Interim Review

▪ Maintain the Current Accreditation Terms
If there are enough evidence of improvements since previous visit are found, the
program maintains without any changes to the terms of current accreditation
previously ratified by the KAAB.
▪ Temporary Suspension of Accreditation
If the program fails to respond adequately to the conditions/criteria assessed as not
met or causes of concern, the program must reapply for a continued accreditation
within a year.

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4.7 Disclosure of Information for Public

4.7.1 Promotion of Architectural Accreditation

Professional degree programs in architecture accredited by KAAB are obliged to

provide an adequate architectural education in support of the mission of KAAB and to
promote the accreditation system for professional degrees in architecture. The support
and promotion are the responsibility of the program’s host institution and is necessary
to facilitate appropriate and consistent information for admission of new students.
The professional degree offered by programs accredited by the KAAB is recognized
globally by other comparable accreditation systems through mutually recognized
agreements. The accredited programs are also obliged to provide consistent and
appropriate information to the public regarding the compatibility and portability of
academic qualifications among the comparable accreditation systems.

Therefore, the KAAB strongly suggests that the promotional booklets, website and
other media of accredited programs carry the following language regarding the
intention of the accreditation for professional degree programs.

(Name of the Program) fully complies with the provisions of the

procedures and Conditions of the KAAB. Our program offers a
professional degree, a bachelor (master) of architecture, accredited
by the KAAB, recognized by a signatory member of the Canberra
Accord and UNESCO-UIA Validation Council for Architectural
Education. The accredited degree is a mandatory requirement to
satisfy the eligibility for qualification examination for architectural
practice. Programs for professional degrees in Korea are either a 5-
year undergraduate professional degree program or a 2-plus year
master’s professional degree program. The accreditation status of
these programs must be maintained through periodic accreditation
visits conducted according to KAAB Conditions and Procedures. The
terms of accreditation offered as a result of an accreditation visit
include full Six-Year Accreditation (Five-Year for initial accreditation),
Four-Year Accreditation (Three-Year for initial accreditation), Three-
Year Conditional Accreditation (Two-Year for initial accreditation),
Rejection/Revocation of Accreditation and Temporary Termination of
Accreditation. The next accreditation visit for bachelors (masters)

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 degree offered by our program is scheduled to take place in the year
of 0000.
It is also strongly suggested that the accredited program use a consistent name on all
official documents. The examples are:

Name of the Degree offered: Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch.) or,

Master of Architecture (M. Arch.)

Name of the Program includes: 000 program (KAAB Accredited)

The program web homepage should carry the KAAB Logo and provide a link to
the KAAB web homepage: www.kaab.or.kr.

4.7.2 Information on Accreditation Process

(1) Announcement of Information on KAAB Conditions and Procedures (C&P)

All constituents of the accredited professional degree programs in architecture,
including faculty, staff, students and students’ parents, must be aware of the
information on KAAB Conditions and Procedures, and the accredited professional
degree programs are obliged to announce information through appropriate means.
Students of professional degree programs must be familiar with this information
because it affects the operation of curriculum and participation of students in the
programs.

(2) Public Announcement of Terms of Accreditation

All accredited programs are obliged to help the public understand the current status of
the program through a public announcement of the terms of accreditation of the
program. In order to demonstrate transparency of the accreditation process, programs
are also obliged to provide within the program:

▪ APR presented for the latest accreditation visit

▪ VTR of the latest accreditation visit
▪ Latest official letter from the KAAB informing the terms of accreditation
▪ All annual reports and documents on the KAAB review of the annual reports

With the consent of the KAAB, some sensitive materials and information such as

65
financial data and curriculum vitae can be omitted from the APR on request of the
program. At the same time, the KAAB must file APR’s of all the programs to make it
available for public review, provided that all materials are kept within the KAAB office at
all times. No report may be lent out and no transmission of any material by any means
is allowed.

4.8 KAAB Workshop and Training of Accreditation Visit Team Members

KAAB Accreditation of professional degree programs is a qualitative assessment

process based on site visit in consideration of special characteristics of architectural
education. It is a social service that relies on active participation of voluntary
accreditation visit members. The KAAB accreditation method is not a one-sided
evaluation process. Rather, it is a peer review process in support of the spirit of the
KAAB missions. The programs being accredited are encouraged to actively participate
in the assessment process and make every effort to persuade the accreditation Visit
Team members. The program being accredited must be well prepared with a deep
understanding of conditions and procedures.

On the other hand, it is a very difficult task for a non-experienced person to review
APR’s and the materials displayed during a site visit. In order to provide opportunities
for non-experienced volunteers, the KAAB offers training courses and workshops to
educate potential members.

4.8.1 Workshop for professional degree programs in architecture

The KAAB does not bear any responsibility to train programs, except for the KAAB
Conditions and Procedures published for the programs, and the member institutes
constituting the KAAB. The KAAB, however, offers a workshop for programs to get
familiar with how to draft an APR. The workshop is usually organized separately in
conjunction with the annual conference of the Architectural Institute of Korea every
year. The KAAB must invite to the workshop all the deans or heads of the programs
that are scheduled to be accredited the following year. The invitation must be mailed
out at least two weeks before the day the workshop takes place.

The KAAB strongly encourages not only program related personnel but also candidates

66
for accreditation Visit Team members in the pool of candidates.

4.8.2 Workshop and Training Course for Candidates to Accreditation Member

(1) Training Courses for Accreditation Visit Team Member

The KAAB periodically offers workshops and training courses for various groups of
personnel related to KAAB accreditation. All potential accreditation Visit Team
members, or candidates for accreditation Visit Team members, nominated to the pool
of the candidates, are required to take a Basic Training course before his/her
nomination to an accreditation Visit Team member. Further, a candidate, upon his/her
nomination to an accreditation Visit Team, must complete a required Practical Training
course before the scheduled accreditation visit as stipulated in the subsection 4.3.1.
All training course records for each and every candidate are required to be maintained
by KAAB to verify his/her completion of the required training courses. The Accreditation
Task Force reserves the right to replace any member on an accreditation Visit Team, if
he/she has not completed the required training courses.

The training courses for team members by the KAAB are categorized as Fundamental
Training, Practical Training, Special Training, Maintenance Training, Retraining, and
Nonscheduled Training.

▪ Fundamental Training: A training conducted for all nominated candidates for team
members from the KAAB member associations. Contents include general
introduction and purpose of accrediting system and fundamentals of the site visits.
▪ Practical Training: A training conducted to site visit team members. The details of
conditions and procedures for accreditation, related issues, and guidelines for the
site visit agenda are discussed.
▪ Special Training: An information or training session conducted by invited experts of
neighboring accreditation agencies for personnel of the KAAB, all candidate team
members, and team members.
▪ Maintenance Training: A training conducted to announce and discuss periodic
changes that are made to the KAAB C&P for all candidate team members, and
team members.
▪ Retraining: A training conducted to candidate members who have not been
appointed as site visit team for extended period of time.
▪ Nonscheduled Training: A training conducted for individuals who couldn’t attend
regularly scheduled training session.

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(2) Workshop for Site Visit Team Chairs
The KAAB organizes a workshop for site Visit Team chairs to attain a consensus on
the issues that are commonly encountered during an accreditation visit. All Visit Team
chairs are strongly encouraged to attend the workshop. The Accreditation Task Force
may replace a chair who has not attended the workshop on its discretion.

The workshop is intended to:

▪ Discuss significant issues and potential predicaments before an upcoming

accreditation site visit.
▪ Agree upon applying fair and objective judgement toward all accreditation reviews
based on correct comprehension of the KAAB C&P.
▪ Try to reach a consensus or consistency in the process of accreditation review,
assessment and various accreditation team reports.

(3) Workshops and Training Courses Organized by Member Institutes

The member institutes constituting KAAB are required to actively participate in the
KAAB activities, including nomination of candidates to the pool of accreditation Visit
Team members. They also bear a responsibility to organized and educate their
members with their own program(s).

4.9 Procedure for Revision of Conditions and Procedures and Annual Review of
Operation of Accreditation

4.9.1 Procedure for Revision of the KAAB C&P

The KAAB plans to periodically update the KAAB Conditions every Six (6) years
starting in the year 2018. The Procedures can be updated immediately when
necessary. The process for update is as follows:

(1) Common Principle in Revising the KAAB C&P

▪ KAAB Conditions & Procedures will be updated separately. The Conditions is
subjected to be revised every Six years and the Procedures is subjected to be
revised as needed.
▪ Any revision for the KAAB C&P must be an outcome of agreement by the member

68
 institutes of the KAAB.
▪ All procedures for revision of the KAAB C&P must be transparent and according to
public document.
▪ Not only the member institutes of the KAAB, revision agenda for the C&P should
be open to general public by means of pre- announced public hearing session. All
finalized revisions are subjected to ratification by the KAAB Board of Directors.

(2) Public Conference for Revising the KAAB C&P

▪ Every six years after the current Conditions or C&P is announced, the KAAB must
host a public conference for revising the C&P. KAAB C&P Revision Committee is
composed of panels from member institutes of the KAAB and the representatives
from the KAAB . Through an open discussion session, all issues may organize into
concrete agenda for revision. The end result must be uploaded to website for
public review
▪ The panel for the open discussion session at the conference is consisted of two to
three members nominated by the member institutes, and two nominated by the
KAAB. One of the two panel member nominated by the KAAB chairs the
discussion. KAAB C&P Revision Committee will be organizing the open
conference when deemed necessary and organize it accordingly.
▪ The public conference with open discussion session must be a pre-announced
event. It must be pre-noticed to head of member institutes of the KAAB.
▪ The end results of the two public conferences are subjected to be documented and
submitted to the revision committee of the KAAB C&P.

(3) The Main Body of Revision

▪ The KAAB C&P Revision Committee is organized to carry on the revision/update
of the KAAB C&P. The committee consists of two (2) to three (3) members
nominated by the member institutes, that is, the Architectural Institute of Korea, the
Korean Institute of Registered Architects, and the Korean Institute of Architects,
and two (2) members nominated by KAAB. The total number of members may not
exceed eleven (11). Once the final member of the committee is selected, it is
notified to the public.
▪ The chair of the KAAB Accreditation Committee assumes the chair of the Revision
Committee.

(4) Periodic Revision to the KAAB Conditions

▪ The KAAB must form the C&P Revision Committee 10 months prior to the

69
 scheduled date of the public announcement of the revised version.
▪ The accreditation committee chair, assisted by the KAAB secretariat, collects,
organizes, and submits to the revision committee the requests for revision
proposed by various constituents and other necessary updates accumulated in the
Public Conferences and report to the KAAB Conditions Revision Committee.
▪ Under the responsibility of the revision committee chair, the revisions committee is
divided into appropriate numbers of subcommittees to carry on respective
revisions and update tasks of appropriately grouped items.
▪ The KAAB secretariat prepares a public hearing, and .the member institutes,
professional degree programs of architecture, general public are encouraged to
attend.
▪ The outcome from public hearing must be documented by the KAAB and must be
publicly disclosed.
▪ The revision committee, if necessary, may have additional meetings to reflect the
comments and results of the public hearing on the revision. The chair of the
accreditation committee, with the consent of the members of the committee, draws
up the final draft.
▪ The final draft must be posted to the KAAB website after the ratification by the
KAAB board of directors.
▪ The final version of the revised KAAB Conditions that is ratified by the board of
directors must be published by the scheduled date in hard copy and on the KAAB
website, www.kaab.or.kr.

(5) Revision to the KAAB Procedures

▪ Any needs for revising KAAB Procedures are found at annual internal review,
pertinent issues are gathered by KAAB administration for regular updates to the
president.
▪ Based on the annual workshop of the accredited programs, the president of KAAB
gathers opinions and issues for revisions to Procedures and reports to the
accreditation committee to review and decide the content of revision.
▪ The final version of the revised KAAB Procedures that is ratified by the board of
directors must be published by the scheduled date in hard copy and on the KAAB
website, www.kaab.or.kr.

(6) Special Revision to the KAAB Conditions

▪ For special circumstances, revisions to the KAAB Conditions are made due to
amendments in national law provisions and etc. Under this circumstances, the

70
 president of the KAAB reserves right to request for special revision to the
Conditions.
▪ Agenda for special revision also requires the process of public hearing, and
requires ratification by the Board of Directors of the KAAB.
▪ Ratified special revision must be in public display on the website and must be
notified to all accredited programs.

4.9.2 Annual Review of Operation of Accreditation

The KAAB board of directors organizes an annual meeting at the beginning of each
year for overall review of the accreditation visits, accreditation decisions, and other
agenda related to important accreditation business of the year. The annual meeting
aims to standardize the process and organize the overall accreditation operation of the
KAAB for further development.

▪ The participants includes KAAB board of directors, president, Accreditation

Committee, Accreditation Task Force, and the members of team chairs. The
meeting agenda may include all issues related to accreditation process that took
place in the year.
▪ Outcome of the annual meeting will be in effect immediately. Resolutions that must
be reflected in the revision of KAAB C&P are passed on to the accreditation
committee to be considered in the next scheduled revision of the KAAB C&P.
▪ The KAAB discloses outcome of the annual review meeting as a form of a report.
Annually, it is uploaded to the KAAB website for public disclosure

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Appendix

Criteria of Evaluation for Applications of Candidacy Status & Accreditation

Criteria of evaluation
Application for Candidacy Status for
Application for Accreditation
Accreditation

(Application is subjected to rejection if any items in this category applicable)

- Fail to display autonomy of the architectural - All items listed in Reasons for
program within the institution Rejection for ‘Application for
- The program curriculum deemed not Candidacy Status for
sufficient to meet criteria of conditions of Accreditation’.
Reasons for Rejection

the KAAB - Not sufficient evidence of

- Fail to display proper guidance and follow- improvements on noted
up on student’s curricular management to deficiencies at prior Application
meet SPC. for Candidacy Status for
- Multiple deficiencies categorized as causes Accreditation.
of concern are not expected to be - Multiple deficiencies
amended until next evaluation term. categorized as causes of
- Fail to respond on request for further concern are not expected to be
evidences or support materials amended until next formal site
- Insufficient evidence of improvements on visit.
previously noted deficiencies in case of re-
application for candidacy status for
accreditation.
- Insufficient handling of curriculum aimed for - All items listed in Reasons for
stated educational goal of the program. Causes of Concern for
- Insufficient curricular management for each ‘Application for Candidacy
student which may cause misguided Status for Accreditation’.
course taking. - Insufficient evidence in efforts
Causes of Concern

- Insufficient rules and criteria for admitting of aiming for specialization or

incoming transfer student into the program. characterization of the
- At program furnished SPC Matrix, there accreditation seeking program.
is(are) doubtful arrangement(s) of intended - Weak evidence of
course(s) per educational goal(s). improvements on noted
- Not sufficient information for criteria 2.4. deficiencies at prior Application
2.5, 2.6, 2.7. for Candidacy Status for
- Weak evidence of improvements on Accreditation.
previously noted items in case of re- - Other concerns found in
application. application review.
- Other concerns found in application review.

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