The quality behind an RIT Croatia education

At RIT Croatia, quality is continuously evaluated, measured, and improved through internal assessments and external reviews conducted by Croatian, U.S., and international accrediting bodies. These processes go far beyond meeting regulatory requirements. They help the institution examine every aspect of the student experience, gather feedback, identify opportunities for improvement, and ensure it continues to meet the evolving needs of students, employers, and society.

"External reviews are not about proving that we are good enough. They are about helping us become even better," says Dr. Irena Guszak, President and Dean. "Every evaluation allows us to reflect, learn, and improve, ensuring that we continue to meet the changing expectations of our students, employers, and society. That commitment to continuous improvement is one of the defining characteristics of RIT Croatia."

Quality recognized in Croatia and the United States

RIT Croatia occupies a unique position. As a Croatian institution and a global campus of Rochester Institute of Technology, it is regularly reviewed against both Croatian and U.S. higher education standards.

During the 2025–2026 academic year, RIT Croatia participated in three major external reaccreditation processes:

• Institutional reaccreditation by Croatia's Agency for Science and Higher Education (ASHE)
• RIT university-wide reaffirmation of accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), one of the leading institutional accrediting bodies in the United States
• Review by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), covering RIT Croatia's New Media Design program

Together, these reviews examined RIT Croatia from multiple perspectives: institutionally, academically, nationally, and internationally.

Croatian standards

One of the year's most comprehensive reviews was the institutional reaccreditation conducted by ASHE. Preparing for the review involved a 300-page self-evaluation report supported by more than 1,600 documents, followed by a multi-day site visit during which the review panel met with students, alumni, faculty, staff, employers, and institutional leadership.

U.S. standards

As part of RIT's university-wide reaffirmation of accreditation, reviewers from MSCHE visited RIT Croatia's campuses in Zagreb and Dubrovnik. They described RIT Croatia as "extraordinarily student-focused," recognizing its strong culture of assessment and student support, close integration with the Rochester campus, and the strength of its alumni community.

International recognition across disciplines

The quality of academic programs delivered at RIT Croatia is also confirmed through specialized U.S. accreditation.

RIT Croatia's New Media Design program is part of RIT's College of Art and Design. During the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) review, which evaluates the college and its programs, reviewers praised the strong sense of community within the program and the institution while offering recommendations to support its continued development.

Similarly, Global Business Management and Hospitality and Tourism Management programs are a part of RIT's Saunders College of Business. Because these programs are delivered at RIT Croatia, they are included within Saunders' AACSB accreditation. Held by only a small percentage of business schools worldwide, AACSB accreditation recognizes excellence in teaching, curriculum development, research, and student learning.

Quality takes a community

"Accreditation is often perceived as an additional administrative burden," says Dr. Jakob Patekar, Associate Dean. "In reality, it is a rewarding collaborative process that brings together faculty, staff, students, alumni, employers, and external experts, each contributing valuable perspectives. I'd like to thank everyone who took part in these reviews. Their engagement, openness, and willingness to share honest feedback are what enables us to keep providing the best possible experience for our students."

The successful completion of these reviews reflects far more than compliance with external requirements. It reflects a shared commitment to learning, improving, and building an even stronger RIT Croatia for every new generation of students.