Campbell University received notification today that the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) — the accrediting body for degree-granting institutions of higher education in the southern states — has reaffirmed the school’s accreditation to award associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctorate degrees.
SACSCOC accreditation must be reaffirmed every 10 years, and accreditation 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.”
Campbell University President Dr. J. Bradley Creed said, in short, accreditation “assures educational quality and effectiveness for institutions of higher education.”
“The process of reaffirmation is rigorous and thorough, involving countless hours of planning and preparation,” Creed added. “I am especially grateful to our accreditation team for their dedication and efforts which have led to this successful outcome.
“During this most recent review, Campbell University has demonstrated its educational quality and the effectiveness of its robust culture of academic assessment.”
Campbell’s reaffirmation of accreditation began in December 2018 when members of the accreditation team attended a leadership orientation at the SACSCOC Annual Conference. In the spring of 2019, a compliance leadership team was formed, and planning began for Campbell’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), a five-year plan to improve student learning or the learning environment at the institution.
Campbell’s QEP focuses on the improvement of writing skills for undergraduate students. The “WE Write!” writing enhancement plan bridges between the Department of English’s first-year writing courses and select 200-level courses, creating a culture of writing instruction and practice across the entire undergraduate population. Work on the QEP began in spring 2020, and the plan was turned in for consideration last February.
The compliance leadership team was chaired by Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Dr. Mark Hammond, and vice-chair was Maren Hess, associate provost for institutional effectiveness. The team included 26 members in all, with 10 full-time faculty. Assessment was led by Dr. Ellen Dobson, and co-editors were Dr. Gina Peterman and Borree Kwok.
Hammond said he was “absolutely delighted” with what he called “what may very well be the best decennial review in the history of Campbell University.”
“The University has grown significantly more complex in academic programs and operations over the last 10 years, especially with the addition of our schools of medicine and engineering,” Hammond said. “Such an accomplishment is a clear statement of an entire institution’s commitment to integrity, demonstrated excellence in academic programs and facilities, a culture of assessment and accountability, and exceptional student outcomes.
“I remain grateful to my colleagues at the institution for working diligently to achieve this sterling result.”
Campbell University is one of five private universities in North Carolina to hold SACSCOC Level VI accreditation status, the highest level possible. Level VI institutions are schools that offer four or more doctoral degrees.
SACSCOC ACCREDITATION
Campbell University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Campbell University 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).