ISO9001: 2015 and ISO21001: 2018 Certification Opportunities for Quality Education at the Naval Postgraduate School

Abstract

NPS faces the challenge of aligning its educational quality management systems with global standards to maintain and enhance educational effectiveness and student satisfaction. This thesis examines the benefits and challenges of adopting ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 21001:2018 certifications, focusing on their applicability within a DoD-governed academic institution. Through analysis of ISO standards and a review of NPS’s current accreditation, the research explores whether adopting these standards could enhance NPS’s ability to meet accreditation requirements and improve performance. The primary research question investigates whether NPS should pursue ISO certification and which standard—ISO 9001:2015 or ISO 21001:2018—would be most suitable. The methodology includes root cause analysis of issues, comparative analysis of NPS’s current systems versus ISO standards, and a comparison between the two ISO standards. ISO certification could streamline quality management, enhance educational outcomes, and ensure compliance with international standards, but implementation complexities, including cost and administrative challenges, require careful consideration. The study concludes that ISO 21001:2018 can improve NPS’s administrative processes, student satisfaction, and overall efficiency while aligning with global best practices. Recommendations include a one-year assessment led by the Office of Institutional Effectiveness to align institutional strategy with department objectives.