About The Commission

About the Commission

The Commission on Colleges and Universities (The Commission) is a recognized accrediting body for degree-granting higher education institutions in the United States and around the world. The Commission serves as the common denominator of shared values and practices among the diverse institutions it accredits, ensuring educational quality, institutional effectiveness, and continuous improvement. Through accreditation, The Commission supports institutions in their mission to provide high-quality education and to serve students and communities.

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).

Mission Statement

The mission of the Commission on Colleges and Universities is to assure the educational quality and improve the effectiveness of its member institutions.

Core Values and Value Statement

The Commission on Colleges and Universities has six core values. They are:
  • Integrity
  • Continuous Quality Improvement
  • Peer Review/Self Regulation
  • Accountability
  • Student Learning
  • Transparency
The Commission is an institutional accreditor that employs an accountable and transparent peer review process which assures educational quality and integrity, fosters continuous self-improvement, and promotes student success.

Vision Statement

To serve as the premier model for shaping and ensuring the quality of higher education throughout the world.

Strategic Planning

The Commission adopted a new formal Strategic Planning process in 2012, based upon individual units within the organization supporting broad goals. In 2017, this process was modified to a more integrated approach, with action committees made up of representatives across organizational units working together in support of the mission, strategic goals, and objectives of The Commission. For more information or to review the current Plan, please click here.