Indigenous Institutes Applications

Apply for Organization and Program Reviews

IAESC’s quality assurance model first assesses an Institute as an Organization, through and Organization Review, and then assesses each new stand-alone program through Program Reviews. For these assessments, IAESC has developed its own Standards and Benchmarks (Handbooks) that prioritize community worldviews and needs, while meeting or surpassing Ontario’s academic standards. Each Handbook was developed over time through extensive research, engagement with expert panels and Indigenous Institutes. IAESC would like to thank all contributors for their wisdom in creating its robust, effective and well-received quality assurance system.

Application Information

Why/who should apply?

An Indigenous Institute seeking program approval must undergo an Organization Review prior to a Program Review. Organization and Program Reviews are submitted through IAESC’s secure Application Portal.

Organization Review

The Organization Review is a prerequisite for any Indigenous Institute seeking to offer an independent program. It assesses organizational character, financial ability, and student interest policies and practices as rooted in community values.

Approval of an Organization Review is valid for ten (10) years.

Processing times (from application submission to Board of Director’s decision) are expected to be within 10 months, but this is dependent on timely revisions and communications from the Institute.

Click here for Organization Review Process Overview

Click here for the Organization Review Handbook

Or, contact qa@iaesc.ca to inquire and to begin your application.

Program Review

After receiving Organization Review approval by IAESC, all approved Indigenous Institutes are eligible to submit Program Review applications. The purpose of the Program Review is to assess the Indigenous Institute’s proposed program against IAESC standards and benchmarks. Program Reviews are conducted for the following: Certificates, Diplomas, Post-diploma Certificates, Bachelor’s Degrees, and Bachelor’s with Honours Degrees.

Processing times (from application submission to Board of Director’s decision) are expected to be within 6-9 months for program applications, but this is dependent on timely revisions and communications from the Institute.

Click here to view the IAESC Program Credential Chart

Click here for Program Review Process Overview

Click here for Approved Organization and Program Reviews

Click here to view our Program Review Handbooks

Or, contact qa@iaesc.ca to inquire and to begin your application.

Organization Interim Reports

Indigenous Institutes that receive Organization Review approval are required to submit an Interim Report to IAESC at the five-year mark of the ten-year approval period. The purpose of the Interim Report is to provide information of any major changes at the Indigenous Institutes in the areas of organizational authority and structure, educational programming, and general operations. IAESC staff will contact you to begin your application well in advance of its due date. This process involves submitting a written report and presenting an update to the Indigenous Institutes Quality Assurance Board (IIQAB).

Please contact qa@iaesc.ca with questions regarding your Organization Interim Report.

Approved Program Annual Reports

IAESC may request that an Indigenous Institute that received Council approval for a degree level program submit a mid-term report outlining the progress and standing of the approved program. For Certificate, Diploma and Post-diploma Certificate programs, an annual written report on the program’s progress is required to be submitted to IAESC.

IAESC staff will contact you to begin your application well in advance of its due date. This process involves submitting a written report, and and may include presenting an update to the Indigenous Institutes Quality Assurance Board (IIQAB).

Please contact qa@iaesc.ca with questions regarding your Program Review Interim Report.