UNA's most recent Compliance Certification Report was presented to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in September 2022. The Off-Site Committee requested additional information for several of the SACSCOC principles. UNA provided this supplemental information through a Focused Report that was reviewed by a SACSCOC Onsite Review Committee in March 2023. The SACSCOC Onsite Review Committee deemed the University to be in compliance with all of the principles and did not issue any recommendations. In December 2023, SACSCOC reaffirmed the University's accreditation. UNA will seek reaffirmation again in 2033.
SACSCOC LIAISON
As the SACSCOC Liaison, Dr. Lorie Johnson oversees the University of North Alabama's reaffirmation process. In addition to preparing the required documents that demonstrate UNA's compliance with the SACSCOC principles of accreditation, Dr. Johnson engages with university stakeholders to increase understanding of accrediting policies and procedures that impact various aspects of the campus.
CONTACT INFO
Dr. Lorie Johnson, SACSCOC Liaison
sacscoc@wybxx.com
601 Cramer Way UNA Box 5041
256-765-4805
The University of North Alabama is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, education specialist, and doctorate level degrees. Questions about the accreditation of the University of North Alabama may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
SACSCOC Reaffirmation Timeline
Compliance Certification Report Submitted
September 2022
Focused Report in response to off-site findings and QEP submitted
January 2023
SACSCOC Board of Trustees Decision
December 2023
Reaffirmation Off-Site Committee
reviews and recommends
Reaffirmation Onsite Committee visits UNA campus March 13-16, 2023 to review required onsite principles, Focused Report, and QEP and to make recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions
SACSCOC stands for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, which is the accrediting body for educational institutions within Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Latin America. (For more information, see www.sacscoc.org.)
Accreditation is a voluntary process of self-regulation by which institutions conduct self-evaluations according to specified guidelines and then allow themselves to be reviewed by peers to assess the institution’s effectiveness in fulfilling its mission, its success in complying with standards set by the accrediting body, and its ongoing efforts toward continuous improvement of the educational programs, services, and quality of student learning. The resulting awarding or reaffirmation of accreditation serves to assure the public that the institution maintains high standards, operates with integrity, and consistently strives to improve the quality and effectiveness of all of its programs and services.
Accreditation by SACSCOC signifies that the institution:
- has a mission appropriate to higher education,
- has resources, programs, and services sufficient to accomplish and sustain that mission, and
- maintains clearly specified educational objectives that are consistent with its mission and appropriate to the degrees it offers, and that indicate whether it is successful in achieving its stated objectives. (Principles of Accreditation, p. 1).
Although SACSCOC reviewers formally visit UNA’s campus every ten years, maintenance of accreditation is an ongoing process. Annually, the University submits two reports to SACSCOC: an institutional profile outlining general characteristics and enrollment information and a financial profile verifying financial stability.
As part of the decennial review (2023) the University was required to prepare two major reports. First, UNA conducted a thorough self-evaluation to review its success in meeting each of the specified standards set forth by SACSCOC in the Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement. UNA developed narratives and a body of supporting documentation to justify its own assessment related to SACSCOC compliance. The resulting Compliance Certification Report was submitted in September 2022 for review by an Off-Site Peer Review Committee (composed of individuals from other SACSCOC institutions from outside of Alabama). The Off-Site Committee made a preliminary assessment concerning compliance and shared the resulting report with the On-Site Review Committee. UNA responded to their findings with a Focused Report.
As part of the decennial review (2023) the University was required to prepare two major reports. First, UNA conducted a thorough self-evaluation to review its success in meeting each of the specified standards set forth by SACSCOC in the Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement. UNA developed narratives and a body of supporting documentation to justify its own assessment related to SACSCOC compliance. The resulting Compliance Certification Report was submitted in September 2022 for review by an Off-Site Peer Review Committee (composed of individuals from other SACSCOC institutions from outside of Alabama). The Off-Site Committee made a preliminary assessment concerning compliance and shared the resulting report with the On-Site Review Committee. UNA responded to their findings with a Focused Report.
The On-Site Review Committee visited UNA’s campus in March of 2023 to verify the findings of the Off-Site Committee and to further assess the University’s compliance with accreditation standards. Additionally, the On-Site Review Committee examined the University’s Quality Enhancement Plan, or QEP. UNA’s QEP, Preparing the Pride: Experiential and Work-based Learning, is a multi-year plan to systematically support, grow and monitor innovative experiential learning and workforce development opportunities for UNA undergraduates.
At the same time UNA submitted its QEP report (six weeks in advance of the on-site visit), the University also submitted a Focused Report providing additional documentation to answer questions raised by the Off-Site Review Committee.
The On-Site Review Committee deemed the University to be in compliance with all of the required SACSCOC standards and issued no recommendations. In December 2023, SACSCOC reaffirmed UNA’s accreditation. The University will be required to submit a Fifth-Year Interim report, a SACSCOC requirement that documents the impact of the Quality Enhancement Plan and provides evidence of ongoing compliance with accreditation standards.
Additionally, the University submits Substantive Change requests and reports as required to accommodate the institution’s expanding academic programs.
SACSCOC accreditation touches all aspects of the University's programs, services, and facilities. Information for periodic reports is regularly gathered from all sectors of the university community. Additionally, numerous faculty, staff, and students are involved in implementation and assessment of the Quality Enhancement Plan.
Dr. Lorie Johnson serves as the University’s SACSCOC Accreditation Liaison. UNA’s academic deans and department chairs, in conjunction with the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, monitor academic developments and the need for substantive change reporting. Each year the University sends representatives to the annual SACSCOC conference to keep up-to-date with the latest requirements and best practices.
Dr. Lorie Johnson serves as the University’s SACSCOC Accreditation Liaison. UNA’s academic deans and department chairs, in conjunction with the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, monitor academic developments and the need for substantive change reporting. Each year the University sends representatives to the annual SACSCOC conference to keep up-to-date with the latest requirements and best practices.
General Questions
For more information about UNA’s SACSCOC accreditation process, contact Dr. Lorie Johnson, UNA SACSCOC Accreditation Liaison, (256-765-4805) or e-mail sacscoc@wybxx.com.
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For more information about UNA’s SACSCOC accreditation process, contact Dr. Lorie Johnson, UNA SACSCOC Accreditation Liaison, (256-765-4805) or e-mail sacscoc@wybxx.com.
Suggestions or Comments
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