Compliance Documents

The institution has degree-granting authority from the appropriate government agency or agencies.

The institution has a governing board of at least five members that is the legal body with specific authority over the institution. The board is an active policy-making body for the institution and is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the financial resources of the institution are adequate to provide a sound educational program. The board is not controlled by a minority of board members or by organizations or interests separate from it. Both the presiding officer of the board and a majority of other voting members of the board are free of any contractual, employment, or personal or familial financial interest in the institution.

The institution has a chief executive officer whose primary responsibility is to the institution and who is not the presiding officer of the board.

The institution has a clearly defined, comprehensive, and published mission statement that is specific to the institution and appropriate for higher education. The mission addresses teaching and learning and, where applicable, research and public service.

The institution engages in ongoing, integrated, and institution-wide research-based planning and evaluation processes that (1) incorporate a systematic review of institutional mission, goals, and outcomes; (2) result in continuing improvement in institutional quality, and (3) demonstrate the institution is effectively accomplishing its mission.

The institution is in operation and has students enrolled in degree programs.

The institution offers one or more degree programs based on at least 60 semester credit hours or the equivalent at the associate level; at least 120 semester credit hours or the equivalent at the baccalaureate level; or at least 30 semester credit hours or the equivalent at the post-baccalaureate, graduate, or professional level. If an institution uses a unit other than semester credit hours, it provides an explanation for the equivalency. The institution also provides a justification if it allows for fewer than the required number of semester credit hours or its equivalent unit for a degree.

The institution offers degree programs that embody a coherent course of study that is compatible with its stated purpose and is based upon fields of study appropriate to higher education.

The institution requires in each undergraduate degree program the successful completion of a general education component at the collegiate level that is (1) a substantial component of each undergraduate degree, (2) ensures breadth of knowledge, and (3) is based on a coherent rationale. For degree completion in associate programs, the component constitutes a minimum of 15 semester hours or the equivalent; for baccalaureate programs, a minimum of 30 semester hours or the equivalent. These credit hours are to be drawn from and include at least one course from each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts; social/behavioral sciences; and natural science/mathematics. The courses do not narrowly focus on those skills, techniques, and procedures specific to a particular occupation or profession. If an institution uses a unit other than semester credit hours, it provides an explanation for the equivalency. The institution also provides a justification if it allows for fewer than the required number of semester credit hours or its equivalent unit for a degree.

The institution provides instruction for all course work required for at least one degree program at each level at which it awards degrees. If the institution does not provide instruction for all such course work and makes arrangements for some instruction to be provided by other accredited institutions or entities through contracts or consortia, or uses some other alternative approach to meeting this requirement, the alternative approach must be approved by the Commission on Colleges. In all cases, the institution demonstrates that it controls all aspects of its educational program.

The number of full-time faculty members is adequate to support the mission of the institution and to ensure the quality and integrity of its academic programs. In addition, upon application for candidacy, an applicant institution demonstrates that it meets the comprehensive standard for faculty qualifications.

The institution, through ownership or formal arrangements or agreements, provides and supports student and faculty access and user privileges to adequate library collections and services as well as to other learning/information resources consistent with the degrees offered. Collections, resources, and services are sufficient to support all its educational, research, and public service programs.

The institution provides student support programs, services, and activities consistent with its mission that promote student learning and enhance the development of its students.

The institution has a sound financial base and demonstrated financial stability to support the mission of the institution and the scope of its programs and services. The member institution provides the following financial statements: (1) an institutional audit (or Standard Review Report issued in accordance with Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services issued by the AICPA for those institutions audited as part of a systemwide or statewide audit) and written institutional management letter for the most recent fiscal year prepared by an independent certified public accountant and/or an appropriate governmental auditing agency employing the appropriate audit (or Standard Review Report) guide; (2) a statement of financial position of unrestricted net assets, exclusive of plant assets and plant-related debt, which represents the change in unrestricted net assets attributable to operations for the most recent year; and, (3) an annual budget that is preceded by sound planning, is subject to sound fiscal procedures, and is approved by the governing board. Audit requirements for applicant institutions may be found in the Commission policy entitled “Accreditation Procedures for Applicant Institutions.

The institution has adequate physical resources to support the mission of the institution and the scope of its programs and services.

The institution has developed an acceptable Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). The acceptability of this document, developed by the institution, is based primarily on the following indicators: (1) a focus on significant issue(s) supporting student learning and accomplishing the mission of the institution, (2) institutional capability for the initiation, implementation, and completion of the Plan, (3) a plan to assess the achievement of the goals of the QEP, and (4) broad-based involvement of institutional constituencies in the development of the Plan.

The institution has a clear and comprehensive mission statement that guides it; is approved by the governing board; is periodically reviewed by the board; and is communicated to the institution’s constituencies.

The governing board of the institution is responsible for the selection and the evaluation of the chief executive officer.

The legal authority and operating control of the institution are clearly defined for the following areas within the institution’s governance structure: Institution's mission.

The legal authority and operating control of the institution are clearly defined for the following areas within the institution’s governance structure: fiscal stability of the institution.

The legal authority and operating control of the institution are clearly defined for the following areas within the institution’s governance structure: institutional policy, including policies concerning related and affiliated corporate entities and all auxiliary services.

The legal authority and operating control of the institution are clearly defined for the following areas within the institution’s governance structure: related foundations (athletic, research, etc.) and other corporate entities whose primary purpose is to support the institution and/or its programs.

The board has a policy addressing conflict of interest for its members

The governing board is free from undue influence from political, religious, or other external bodies, and protects the institution from such influence.

The governing board has a policy whereby members can be dismissed only for appropriate reasons and by a fair process.

There is a clear and appropriate distinction, in writing and practice, between the policy-making functions of the governing board and the responsibility of the administration and faculty to administer and implement policy.

The institution has a clearly defined and published organizational structure that delineates responsibility for the administration of policies.

The institution has qualified administrative and academic officers with the experience, competence, and capacity to lead the institution.

The institution defines and publishes policies regarding appointment and employment of faculty and staff.

The institution evaluates the effectiveness of its administrators, including the chief executive officer, on a periodic basis.

The institution’s chief executive officer has ultimate responsibility for, and exercises appropriate administrative and fiscal control over, the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program.

The institution’s chief executive officer controls the institution’s fund-raising activities exclusive of institution-related foundations that are independent and separately incorporated.

Any institution-related foundation not controlled by the institution has a contractual or other formal agreement that (1) accurately describes the relationship between the institution and the foundation, and (2) describes any liability associated with that relationship. In all cases, the institution ensures that the relationship is consistent with its mission.

The institution’s policies are clear concerning ownership of materials, compensation, copyright issues, and the use of revenue derived from the creation and production of all intellectual property. This applies to students, faculty and staff.

The institution identifies expected outcomes, assesses whether it achieves these outcomes, and provides evidence of improvement based on analysis of the results in each of the following areas: educational programs, including student learning.

The institution identifies expected outcomes, assesses whether it achieves these outcomes, and provides evidence of improvement based on analysis of the results in each of the following areas: administrative support services

The institution identifies expected outcomes, assesses whether it achieves these outcomes, and provides evidence of improvement based on analysis of the results in each of the following areas: educational support services

The institution identifies expected outcomes, assesses whether it achieves these outcomes, and provides evidence of improvement based on analysis of the results in each of the following areas: research, if appropriate to the mission of the institution

The institution identifies expected outcomes, assesses whether it achieves these outcomes, and provides evidence of improvement based on analysis of the results in each of the following areas: community/public service, if appropriate to the mission of the institution

The institution demonstrates that each educational program for which academic credit is awarded is approved by the faculty and the administration.

The institution's continuing education, outreach, and service programs are consistent with the institution's mission.

The institution publishes admissions policies consistent with its mission.

The institution has a defined and published policy for evaluating, awarding, and accepting credit for transfer, experiential learning, advanced placement, and professional certificates that is consistent with its mission and ensures that course work and learning outcomes are at the collegiate level and comparable to the institution’s own degree programs. The institution assumes responsibility for the academic quality of any course work or credit recorded on the institution’s transcript. (See Commission policy “The Transfer or Transcripting of Academic Credit.”)

The institution publishes academic policies that adhere to principles of good educational practice. These are disseminated to students, faculty, and other interested parties through publications that accurately represent the programs and services of the institution.

The institution employs sound and acceptable practices for determining the amount and level of credit awarded for courses, regardless of format or mode of delivery.

The institution ensures the quality of educational programs/courses offered through consortia relationships or contractual agreements, ensures ongoing compliance with the comprehensive requirements, and evaluates the consortial relationship and/or agreement against the purpose of the institution.

The institution awards academic credit for course work taken on a noncredit basis only when there is documentation that the noncredit course work is equivalent to a designated credit experience.

The institution provides appropriate academic support services.

The institution places primary responsibility for the content, quality, and effectiveness of its curriculum with its faculty

For each major in a degree program, the institution assigns responsibility for program coordination, as well as for curriculum development and review, to persons academically qualified in the field. In those degree programs for which the institution does not identify a major, this requirement applies to a curricular area or concentration.

The institution’s use of technology enhances student learning, is appropriate for meeting the objectives of its programs, and ensures that students have access to and training in the use of technology

The institution identifies college-level competencies within the general education component core and provides evidence that graduates have attained those competencies.

The institution awards degrees only to those students who have earned at least 25 percent of the credit hours required for the degree through instruction offered by that institution. In the case of undergraduate degree programs offered through joint, cooperative, or consortia arrangements, the student earns 25 percent of credits from the participating institutions. (See Commission policy “The Transfer or Transcripting of Academic Credit.”)

The institution defines and publishes requirements for its undergraduate programs, including its general education components. These requirements conform to commonly accepted standards and practices for degree programs. (Note: Formerly CS 3.4.10)

At least 25 percent of the discipline course hours in each major at the baccalaureate level are taught by faculty members holding the terminal degree—usually the earned doctorate—in the discipline. (Note: Formerly part of the guidelines under 3.7.1)

The institution’s post-baccalaureate professional degree programs, and its master’s and doctoral degree programs, are progressively more advanced in academic content than undergraduate programs.

The institution structures its graduate curricula to (1) include knowledge of the literature of the discipline and (2) ongoing student engagement in research and/or appropriate professional practice and training experiences.

The majority of credits toward a graduate or a post-baccalaureate professional degree are earned through the institution awarding the degree. In the case of graduate and post-baccalaureate professional degree programs offered through joint, cooperative, or consortia arrangements, the student earns a majority of credits from the participating institutions. (See Commission policy “The Transfer or Transcripting of Academic Credit.”)

The institution defines and publishes requirements for its graduate and post-baccalaureate professional programs. These requirements conform to commonly accepted standards and practices for degree programs. (Note: Formerly CS 3.4.10)

The institution employs competent faculty members qualified to accomplish the mission and goals of the institution. When determining acceptable qualifications of its faculty, an institution gives primary consideration to the highest earned degree in the discipline. The institution also considers competence, effectiveness, and capacity, including, as appropriate, undergraduate and graduate degrees, related work experiences in the field, professional licensure and certifications, honors and awards, continuous documented excellence in teaching, or other demonstrated competencies and achievements that contribute to effective teaching and student learning outcomes. For all cases, the institution is responsible for justifying and documenting the qualifications of its faculty. (See Resource Manual for credential guidelines.)

The institution regularly evaluates the effectiveness of each faculty member in accord with published criteria, regardless of contractual or tenured status.

The institution provides evidence of ongoing professional development of faculty as teachers, scholars, and practitioners.

The institution ensures adequate procedures for safeguarding and protecting academic freedom.

The institution publishes policies on the responsibility and authority of faculty in academic and governance matters.

The institution ensures that users have access to regular and timely instruction in the use of the library and other learning/information resources.

The institution provides a sufficient number of qualified staff—with appropriate education or experiences in library and/or other learning/information resources—to accomplish the mission of the institution.

The institution publishes a clear and appropriate statement of student rights and responsibilities and disseminates the statement to the campus community.

The institution protects the security, confidentiality, and integrity of all student records and maintains special security measures to protect and back up data.

The institution employs qualified personnel to ensure the quality and effectiveness of its student affairs programs.

The institution’s recent financial history demonstrates financial stability

The institution provides financial profile information on an annual basis and other measures of financial health as requested by the Commission. All information presented accurately and appropriately represents the total operation of the institution.

The institution audits financial aid programs as required by federal and state regulations.

The institution exercises appropriate control over all its financial and physical resources.

The institution maintains financial control over externally funded or sponsored research and programs.

The institution exercises appropriate control over all its financial and physical resources. (Note: Formerly part of CS 3.10.4)

The institution takes reasonable steps to provide a healthy, safe, and secure environment for all members of the campus community.

The institution operates and maintains physical facilities, both on and off campus, that appropriately serve the needs of the institution’s educational programs, support services, and other mission-related activities.

The institution notifies the Commission of changes in accordance with the substantive change policy and, when required, seeks approval prior to the initiation of changes.

A member of candidate institution publishes the name, address, and telephone number of the Commission in accordance with Commission requirements and federal policy. (Note: Replaces Federal Requirement 4.7)

The institution provides facilities and learning/information resources that are appropriate to support its teaching, research, and service mission.

The institution evaluates success with respect to student achievement, including as appropriate, consideration of course completion, state licensing examinations, and job placement rates.

The institution maintains a curriculum that is directly related and appropriate to the purpose and goals of the institution and the diplomas, certificates or degrees awarded.

The institution makes available to students and the public current academic calendars, grading policies, and refund policies.

The institution demonstrates that program length is appropriate for each of its educational programs.

The institution has adequate procedures for addressing written student complaints and is responsible for demonstrating that it follows those procedures when resolving student complaints. (See Commission policy “Complaint Procedures for the Commission or its Accredited Institutions.”)

Recruitment materials and presentations accurately represent the institution’s practices and policies.

The institution is in compliance with its program responsibilities under Title IV of the 1998 Higher Education Amendments. (In reviewing the institution’s compliance with these program responsibilities, the Commission relies on documentation forwarded to it by the U.S. Secretary of Education.)