UAB will host peer evaluators from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, or SACSCOC, from April 7-10. During their visit, evaluators will meet with UAB leadership, faculty, staff and students, tour the campus, and review materials submitted as part of UAB’s reaffirmation of accreditation. SACSCOC is the regional organization responsible for accrediting degree-granting institutions of higher education.
SACSCOC requires all institutions to undergo an accreditation reaffirmation every 10 years. UAB’s last SACSCOC reaffirmation was completed in 2015. Leadership and numerous faculty and staff have spent the past two years preparing documentation of compliance with SACSCOC principles of accreditation for this year’s visit.
What accreditation means to UAB and its students
Being accredited by SACSCOC means that an institution meets certain standards of quality in such areas as academic programs, student support services, governance, finance and overall institutional effectiveness. This accreditation is a mark of assurance that the institution adheres to recognized educational standards and is committed to continuous improvement. Maintaining institutional accreditation is also important for eligibility for federal financial aid. For students, UAB’s accreditation means that their degrees and academic credentials are officially recognized by employers and other academic institutions.
UAB’s 2025-2030 Quality Enhancement Plan: The City Is Our Classroom
As part of UAB’s 2025 reaffirmation of accreditation, the institution also submits a five-year Quality Enhancement Plan, or QEP. The QEP is an integral component of accreditation and is derived from UAB’s ongoing comprehensive planning and evaluation process. The theme of UAB’s 2025-2030 Quality Enhancement Plan is The City Is Our Classroom.
“Our QEP theme recognizes the important role UAB holds in the city of Birmingham, and the powerful learning that can occur as students engage with their community,” said Scott L. Phillips, Ph.D., vice provost for Innovative Teaching and Academic Engagement, who serves as UAB’s QEP director. “Our goal is to help students better understand Birmingham and to develop the skills to become engaged members and leaders of any community.”
QEP efforts are supported by the QEP Advisory Council and numerous university-wide organizations focused on teaching and student success. These include the Center for Teaching and Learning and the offices of the Blazer Core Curriculum, Service Learning and Undergraduate Research, Institutional Effectiveness and Analysis, and Student Affairs.
Throughout the week of April 7-10, if you see the SACSCOC peer evaluators on campus, please give them a warm Blazer welcome.
