The College Monk

SACSCOC- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Lawrence Myers Updated Feb 27, 2018

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission (SACSCOC) accredits colleges in 16 states. Here's what SACSCOC accreditation tells you about a.

Expert Reviewed Written by

Published Feb 27, 2018 • Updated Feb 27, 2018 • 3 min read

Our Commitment to Accuracy — The College Monk's editorial team verifies all information against official university data and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Data is updated for the 2026-2027 academic year. Learn about our editorial process.

What is the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges?

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges is recognized as a regional body that provides accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states.

U.S. Department of Education (DOE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) assigned The Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission as one of the regionally accredited agencies in the United States.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges checks and assures the educational quality as well as progress the efficiency of institution members.

The Southern Association of College and School is broadly classified into two organizations

  • The Southern Association of Community, Junior, and Technical Colleges

  • The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

SACS hold authority over more than 13,000 institutions extending from preschools to universities.

The SACS serve diverse institutions and colleges in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

SACS assesses American schools for U.S. students in Mexico, South and Central America, and the Caribbean Sea.The Commission correspondingly receives requests from various additional international institutions of higher education.


 What are the guideline values for the SACS?

  • Integrity

  • Continuous quality improvement

  • Peer review/self-regulation

  • Accountability

  • Student learning

  • Transparency


What are the eligibility requirements for an institution?

An institution must encounter broad-based, foundational and basic core requirements to be accredited by the commission on college. These requirements begin a verge of the progress of an institution looking for initial or continued accreditation by a commission and replicate the basic expectations of the commission. An institution must meet all the below requirements to be authorized a candidacy.

  • The institution must have a degree-granting authority.

  • An institution should have a governing board of at least five members.

  • The institution must have a chief executive officer.

  • There should be a clear, defined, comprehensive and published Institutional mission statement.

  • Institutional Effectiveness is one of the important factors.

  • An institution must involve in continuous operation.

  • There must be an adequate number of faculty members.

  • The institution must provide learning resource and services

  • An institution must provide student support programs.

  • Financial resource and stability, physical resources and Quality Enhancement Plan


Some of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Accredited Universities

East Carolina University (ECU) Online Reviews, Financial Aid, FAFSA/Federal School Code and Admissions" href="https://www.thecollegemonk.com/east-carolina-university/c/283" target="_blank" rel="noopener">East Carolina University Hodges University
Clemson University South University
East Tennessee State University Online Reviews, Financial Aid, FAFSA/Federal School Code and Admissions" href="https://www.thecollegemonk.com/east-tennessee-state-university/c/280" target="_blank" rel="noopener">East Tennessee State University Kennesaw State University (KSU) Online Reviews, Financial Aid, FAFSA/Federal School Code and Admissions" href="https://www.thecollegemonk.com/kennesaw-state-university/c/314" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kennesaw State University
Fayetteville State University James Madison University (JMU) Online Reviews, Financial Aid, FAFSA/Federal School Code and Admissions" href="https://www.thecollegemonk.com/james-madison-university/c/317" target="_blank" rel="noopener">James Madison University
George Mason University King University
Fort Valley State University (FVSU) Online Reviews, Financial Aid, FAFSA/Federal School Code and Admissions" href="https://www.thecollegemonk.com/fort-valley-state-university/c/295" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fort Valley State University Sullivan University
Gardner-Webb University Queens University of Charlotte Online Reviews, Financial Aid, FAFSA/Federal School Code and Admissions" href="https://www.thecollegemonk.com/queens-university-of-charlotte/c/76" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Queens University of Charlotte

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Decision making bodies

  • Voting Representative

  • Board of Trustees comprising of 77 members

  • Executive Council

  • Council Members

What are SACS’s Strategic Directions for Student Success?

  • To improve the nature of communication with institution members as well as the public to provide a better understanding and awareness of the accreditation values.

  • To offer appropriate and meaningful proficient progress and training openings

  • To improve and sustain to implement a combined, Commission-wide research-based development and valuation procedure

  • To certify an effective process that advances the task of the Commission

  • Administer and continuously advance information and associated technologies to forecast and encounter the Commission’s working and strategic requirements. 


  Does SACS offer a training program to students and scholars?

The Southern Association of College and School offers Evaluator Training Program for its disciples. Evaluator Program ensures credibility, consistency, and confirmability in peer reviews. Students are trained in various activities to gain knowledge about the intent and structure of the Principles of Accreditation.


Conclusion

The Southern Association of College and School Commission is one of the recognized regional accrediting organization. This provides accreditation to institutions of higher education that honor associate, baccalaureate, masters or doctoral degrees.


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