Certification of Compliance
Section II: CORE REQUIREMENTS
For every Core Requirement mandating a policy or procedure, it is
implicit that the policy or procedure is in writing, approved
through appropriate institutional processes, published in
appropriate institutional documents accessible to those affected by
the policy or procedure, and implemented and enforced by the
institution.
For obtaining or maintaining accreditation with
the Commission on Colleges, an institution must meet the following
Core Requirements:
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2.1
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The institution has degree-granting authority from the appropriate government agency or agencies.
(Degree-granting Authority)
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2.2
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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.
Neither the presiding officer of the board nor the majority of other voting members of the
board have contractual, employment, or personal or familial financial interest in the institution.
A military institution authorized and operated by the federal government to award degrees has
a public board in which neither the presiding officer nor a majority of the other members are
civilian employees of the military or active/retired military. The board has broad and significant
influence upon the institution's programs and operations, plays an active role in policy-making,
and ensures that the financial resources of the institution are used to provide a sound educational
program. The board is not controlled by a minority of board members or by organizations or
interests separate from the board except as specified by the authorizing legislation.
Neither the presiding officer of the board nor the majority of other voting board members
have contractual, employment, or personal or familial financial interest in the institution.
(Governing Board)
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2.3
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The institution has a chief executive officer whose primary responsibility is to the
institution and who is not the presiding officer of the board. (Chief Executive Officer)
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2.4
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The institution has a clearly defined and published mission statement specific to
the institution and appropriate to an institution of higher education, addressing
teaching and learning and, where applicable, research and public service.
(Institutional Mission)
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2.5
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The institution engages in ongoing, integrated, and institution-wide research-based
planning and evaluation processes that incorporate a systematic review of programs
and services that (a) results in continuing improvement and (b) demonstrates that
the institution is effectively accomplishing its mission. (Institutional Effectiveness)
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2.6
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The institution is in operation and has students enrolled in degree programs. (Continuous Operation))
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2.7
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The Institution
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2.7.1:
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.
The institution provides a written justification and rationale for program equivalency.
(Program Length)
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2.7.2:
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.
(Program Content)
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2.7.3:
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.
The institution provides a written justification and rationale for course equivalency.
(General Education)
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2.7.4:
provides instruction for all course work required for at least one degree program at
each level at which if awards degree. If the institution 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.
(Contractual Agreements for Instruction)
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2.8
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The number of full-time faculty members is adequate to support the mission of the institution.
The institution has adequate faculty resources 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.
(Faculty)
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2.9
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The institution, through ownership or formal arrangements or agreements, provides and
supports student and faculty access and user privileges to adequate library collections
as well as to other learning/information resources consistent with the degrees offered.
These collections and resources are sufficient to support all its educational, research,
and public service programs.
(Learning Resources and Services)
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2.10
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The institution provides student support programs, services, and activities consistent
with its mission that promote student learning and enhance the development of its students.
(Student Support Services)
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2.11
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The institution has a sound financial base and demonstrated financial stability, and
adequate physical resources to support the mission of the institution and the scope
of its programs and services.
The member institution provides the following financial statements: (a) 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;
(b) 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, (c) 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". (Resources)
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