Blog

The International Association for Quality Assurance in Pre‑Tertiary and Higher Education (QAHE) is pleased to announce that our accreditation work has been cited and referenced in a Research.com article comparing regional and programmatic accreditation for International Relations master’s degrees. The mention recognises QAHE’s role in the broader global conversation about quality assurance pathways for higher education and professional programmes.

The Research.com article examines the differences between regional (institutional) accreditation and programmatic (discipline‑specific) accreditation, and considers how prospective students and employers should interpret these different types of quality assurance when evaluating master’s programmes in International Relations. QAHE’s programmatic accreditation approach — which evaluates individual courses and training programmes against defined standards for curriculum, faculty qualifications, assessment, and academic resources — was highlighted as a relevant model for institutions seeking targeted external recognition of specific programmes.

QAHE welcomes the opportunity to contribute, indirectly, to public resources that help applicants and institutions better understand accreditation choices. Our programmatic accreditation services are designed to complement institutional accreditation by providing focused evaluation of programme learning outcomes, industry alignment, and the specific academic and practical elements that matter to employers and professional bodies.

As an international, non‑governmental quality assurance agency recognised by a range of national and regional partners, QAHE supports institutions in developing robust quality assurance systems. We believe that transparent information about the purpose and scope of different accreditation types is essential for students making informed decisions and for institutions planning strategic quality improvements.

QAHE remains committed to advancing excellence in education through rigorous review processes, international partnerships, and public engagement. We thank Research.com for referencing QAHE’s programmatic accreditation model in their guidance on accreditation options for International Relations master’s degrees. For institutions or students seeking more information about QAHE’s accreditation services, programmatic standards, or how accreditation types differ, please visit www.qahe.org or contact our Accreditation Office at accreditation@qahe.org.