NIC Dental Hygiene Program Director named CODA accreditation site evaluator
Janice McClelland
North Idaho College’s Dental Hygiene Program Director Janis McClelland has been selected by the Commission on Dental Accreditation to serve as a site evaluator.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation, or CODA, is nationally recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the agency to accredit dental and dental-related education programs. CODA’s mission is to serve the public and profession by developing and implementing accreditation standards that promote and monitor the continuous quality and improvement of dental education programs.
As a site evaluator, McClelland will review self-studies submitted by organizations seeking new or renewed accreditation before participating in a site visit to verify information, assesses unclear or problem areas, interview program staff and instructors, and review program documentation. Site evaluators provide a report to CODA commissioners that is the primary basis for accreditation decisions.
“CODA is very thorough in its accreditation process,” McClelland said. “The report required of the program is very detailed, and it’s a rigorous review by site evaluators and CODA commissioners.”
CODA formally reviews accreditation on a five- or seven-year cycle depending on program offerings, though organizations applying for initial accreditation are evaluated throughout the establishment of their first graduating cohort.
McClelland said being a CODA site evaluator will provide valuable insight to the NIC program, which is in the initial accreditation process. This fall will be the fourth and final semester for the NIC program’s first cohort, and CODA representatives will visit the Coeur d’Alene campus to evaluate the program in September.
“This is an opportunity to grow my own knowledge to help the NIC program,” McClelland said. “Becoming a site evaluator now will give us a better idea of what CODA will be looking for from us in their September visit. It also gives us one more edge on growing the program’s network with regional and national organizations and professionals.”
For more information about NIC’s Dental Hygiene Program, contact NIC Dental Hygiene Program Director Janis McClelland at (208) 929-4014 or Janis.mcclelland@nic.edu.
For more information about the Commission on Dental Accreditation, visit www.coda.org.
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Posted: Wednesday, April 13, 2022
