New Executive Order Seeks to Overhaul Accreditation System
Published May 05, 2025
By AACOM Government Relations
Higher Education
OME Advocate
- On April 23, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order (EO), entitled Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education. The EO would overhaul the college accreditation system, which sets standards ensuring institutions of higher education are eligible for federal student aid under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
- The EO seeks to move away from requirements of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and instead, refocus accreditation standards on whether institutions offer quality academic programs, reasonable tuition and compliance with the law. It also encourages the recognition of new accreditors to foster competition.
- Of particular relevance to the OME community, the EO mentions the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), and directs Attorney General Pam Bondi and U.S. Department of Education (ED) Secretary Linda McMahon, in consultation with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy, Jr., to investigate ACGME and LCME for DEI-based discrimination. The EO states, “The Secretary of Education shall also assess whether to suspend or terminate the Committee's or the Accreditation Council's status as an accrediting agency under Federal law.” View our analysis to learn more.
- On May 1, 2025, ED released a Dear Colleague Letter that provides initial guidance on changing accrediting agencies outlined in the EO.
- Relatedly, on April 16, 2025, the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation voted to suspend enforcement of standards and elements related to DEI until May 1, 2026.
- AACOM continues to monitor the EOs and other activities related to ED and will provide updates as needed. Please contact aacomgr@aacom.org with questions.
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