Accrediting Standards

To gain or maintain accreditation with the Commission on Colleges, an institution must comply with the standards contained in the Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement and with the policies and procedures of the Commission on Colleges. The Commission on Colleges applies the requirements of its Principles to all applicant, candidate, and member institutions, regardless of type of institution (public, private for-profit, private not-for-profit).

Listed below are four documents:

1. The 2008 Edition of the Principles of Accreditation: Foundation for Quality Enhancement (adopted December 2007 and effective January 1, 2008)

2.  Executive Summary of Changes to the Principles of Accreditation

3.  The 2007 Interim Edition of the Principles of Accreditation: Foundation for Quality Enhancement (adopted December 2006 and effective January 1, 2007)

4.  The 2002-2006 Edition of the Principles of Accreditation: Foundation for Quality Enhancement (adopted December 2001 and effective January 1, 2004)

The Executive Summary highlights the two substantive changes to content as approved in December 2007.

Principles Of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement (2008 Edition) (Added 04/01/08)

Executive Summary of Changes to the Principles of Accreditation (Revised 01/09/08)

Principles Of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement (2007 Interim Edition) (Added 01/12/07)

Principles Of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement (2002-2006 Edition)