National Accreditation Framework for Offsite Construction Education

The Center for Offsite Construction (CfOC) at New York Institute of Technology School of Architecture and Design has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Modular Building Institute (MBI) to jointly develop an accreditation framework for academic programs in offsite construction. This collaboration marks a major step toward formalizing educational standards in the rapidly growing field of industrialized construction.

Addressing a Critical Gap in Offsite Construction Education

As offsite construction continues to reshape the building industry, a significant gap exists in academic accreditation for programs focused on this specialized field.

While architecture programs are accredited through the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), no equivalent accrediting body currently governs offsite construction education.

The CfOC, recognizing the need for standardized educational benchmarks, has been leading the development of accreditation criteria for the discipline. These criteria would shape master’s level degree programs in Offsite Design and Delivery (MS-ODD) at institutions across the country.

Through this partnership, MBI—recognized as the leading trade association for commercial modular construction—will lend its expertise to refine and validate these accreditation standards, ensuring they align with industry needs.

Scope of Collaboration

Under the LOI, the CfOC and MBI have agreed to:

  • Develop Accreditation Criteria: The CfOC will provide MBI with draft accreditation standards, modeled in part on NAAB’s framework, for review and feedback.
  • Co-Develop an Accreditation Process: Both organizations will collaborate on refining the conditions and procedures necessary for accrediting degree programs in offsite construction.
  • Convene an Industry Advisory Committee: The CfOC will establish and host a consensus committee, with representatives jointly selected by CfOC and MBI, to periodically review and enhance the accreditation framework. MBI will retain veto power over committee composition and decisions.
  • Ensure Standards Alignment: The accreditation framework will align with widely recognized benchmarks, such as the ANSI Certificate Accreditation Program (ANSI-CAP) or an equivalent standard from the International Code Council (ICC), to ensure rigor and credibility.

A Milestone for the Offsite Construction Industry

This partnership represents a pivotal moment for offsite construction education. By working with MBI, we are ensuring that educational standards reflect the realities of modern modular and industrialized construction practices. This accreditation framework will give students, educators, and employers confidence in the quality of offsite construction training programs.

The demand for skilled professionals in modular and offsite construction is growing rapidly. Establishing an accreditation standard will help shape the future workforce and ensure that graduates enter the field with industry-aligned expertise.

Next Steps

As part of the agreement, CfOC has already delivered its initial draft accreditation materials to MBI and is organizing a series of review meetings and working group discussions.

The two organizations plan to convene review committees and evaluate progress within the next months to determine the next phases of implementation.

Learn More

For general inquiries and copies of these grant materials, please contact Jason Van Nest at jvannest@nyit.edu.