SACS

The Reaffirmation Process

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) is the regional accreditation agency for public and private educational institutions at all levels in the southern United States. SACS is one of six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education.

The Commission on Colleges (COC) of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in eleven southern states, including Tennessee. The Commission on Colleges' mission is the enhancement of educational quality throughout the region and it strives to improve the effectiveness of institutions by ensuring that institutions meet standards established by the higher education community that address the needs of society and students. It serves as the common denominator of shared values and practices among the diverse higher education institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Latin American that award associate, baccalaureate, master's or doctoral degrees. The Commission also accepts applications from other international institutions of higher education. The Commission on College is recognized by both the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Accreditation is intended to assure constituents and the public of the quality and integrity of higher education institutions and programs, and to help those institutions and programs improve. These outcomes are achieved through rigorous internal and external review processes during which the institution is evaluated against a common set of standards.

When accreditation is awarded to an institution of higher education by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, it means that the institution has (1) a mission appropriate to higher education, (2) resources, programs, and services sufficient to accomplish and sustain its mission, (3) clearly specified educational objectives that are consistent with its mission and appropriate to the degrees it offers, and that it is (4) successful in achieving its stated objectives. Accreditation is a statement of the institution's continuing commitment to integrity and its capacity to provide effective programs and services based on agreed-upon accreditation standards.

Regional accrediting bodies conduct comprehensive reviews of institutions of higher education and operate primarily in a specific geographical area. The accreditation granted encompasses the entire institution including reported branch campuses, and all other instructional sites, and distance learning modalities. Regional accrediting bodies typically accredit a wide range of institutions offering associate, baccalaureate, master's and/or doctoral degrees which include many of America's most prestigious institutions.

There are six regional accrediting associations in the United States comprising eight commissions that grant institution-wide accreditation. (For a list of regional accrediting agencies, please see www.chea.org). While there are some modest differences in accreditation standards across regions, these agencies operate similarly and all are recognized by the United States Department of Education (U.S.D.E.) to conduct accreditation activities. Regional accrediting bodies also serve a “gate keeping” function for access to Title IV funds. The primary service area for the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia, plus Latin America.

National accrediting bodies conduct comprehensive reviews of institutions and operate primarily throughout the United States. The accreditation granted encompasses the entire institution. Most of the accredited institutions are private and have missions focused on career or religious education. (For a list of career and faith-based accrediting agencies functioning nationally and recognized by the U.S.D.E., please see www.chea.org).

Specialized or programmatic accrediting bodies conduct focused reviews of educational programs and operate primarily throughout the United States. Many are recognized by the U.S.D.E. to conduct accreditation activities. (For a list of specialized accrediting agencies, please see www.chea.org).

For accreditation standards, please see www.sacscoc.org and click on Accrediting Standards; for policies click on Policies and Publications.

Please see www.sacscoc.org and click on Application Information.

Institutions accredited by the Commission on Colleges must demonstrate compliance with the standards for accreditation as contained in the Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement, and with the policies and procedures of the Commission. (For additional information, please see www.sacscoc.org and click on Accrediting Standards and on Policies and Publications).

Institutions that do not demonstrate that they meet accreditation standards may be asked for monitoring reports, placed on the public sanctions of Warning or Probation, or dropped from status as a candidate or an accredited institution (For additional information, please see www.sacscoc.org/policies.asp and click on Sanctions, Denial of Reaffirmation, and Removal from Membership).

The Commission accredits the entire institution, including reported distance learning programs, branch campuses and instructional sites. Please see www.sacscoc.org and click on Membership Directory for more information.