Accreditation of Communication Education in Turkiye: Research on the Views of Administrator Academicians in Accredited Programs

Abstract

The subject of this study is an examination of how communication programs are accredited in Turkiye in the context of the views of administrator academicians. The research aims to explore the views of administrator academicians who are deans, vice deans, or heads of departments in their institutions regarding the accreditation of communication education in Turkiye. The study interviews 11 administrator academicians working in accredited undergraduate programs under communication faculties or the other faculties in which communication programs are included Turkiye, with the study sample being selected using multi-stage sampling. Proportional stratified and purposive sampling was also used to ensure that the groups in the universe are represented in proportion to their weights. Although minor problems exist in practice, accreditation has been concluded to play a developing role for institutions. Accordingly, accreditation allows institutions to renew, to correct the deficiencies in their organizational chart, to update the curriculum, to strengthen the teaching staff, to increase physical environments and opportunities, and to develop financial resources. In this respect, accreditation in communication education in Turkiye is seen as a concrete output rather than a corporate reputation provider. The findings support other studies that have focused on the benefits of accreditation.