About SACSCOC

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) is the body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. It serves as the common denominator of shared values and practices primarily among the diverse institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Latin America and certain other international sites approved by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees that award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degrees. The Commission also accepts applications for membership from domestic institutions in the other 39 states, as well as international institutions of higher education around the world.

Mission Statement

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

Core Values and Value Statement

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges has six core values. They are:

  • Integrity
  • Peer Review/Self-regulation
  • Student Learning
  • Continuous Quality Improvement
  • Accountability
  • Transparency

SACSCOC 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

SACSCOC 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 SACSCOC. For more information or to review the current Plan, please click here.

Our Institutions

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Core Values and Value Statement

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges has six core values. They are:

  • Integrity
  • Peer Review/Self-regulation
  • Student Learning
  • Continuous Quality Improvement
  • Accountability
  • Transparency

SACSCOC 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

SACSCOC 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 SACSCOC. For more information or to review the current Plan, please click here.

Accreditation

To gain or maintain accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), 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. SACSCOC applies the requirements of its Principles to all applicant, candidate, and member institutions, regardless of type of institution (public, private for-profit, or private not-for-profit).

For more information about Accreditation, please follow the links below:

  • Resource Manual for 2024 Principles of Accredtiation

    The Resource Manual for the 2024 Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement is now available on  our website.

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  • Careers

    SACSCOC is not currently seeking applications for employment.

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    SACSCOC Office
  • 2022 Annual Report and Proceedings

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  • Holding Educational Institutions to High Standards

    To gain or maintain accreditation with the SACSCOC, an institution must comply with the standards contained in the Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement

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    Covers of Standards from Criteria to current Principles
  • News

    News concerning the world of Higher Education.

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    Stack of Newspapers
  • Upcoming Events

    Upcoming events presented by SACSCOC.

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    Upcoming Events