UT Earns 10-Year Reaccreditation from Regional Accrediting Body

The University of Tampa announced today that it has earned regional reaccreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) for a term of 10 years, the maximum length of time that it can be awarded.

SACSCOC’s systematic review of the schools in the region provides quality control for all aspects of the University. The commission’s decision was based on a self-study report prepared by UT, and a three-day campus visit last February by a SACSCOC evaluation team composed of faculty and administrators from peers in the region.

David Stern, provost and vice president of academic affairs, said the SACSCOC team awarded the reaccreditation and “requested no additional reports.”

“We are pleased to receive such a strong affirmation of the quality of the educational and co-curricular experience we provide,” Stern said. “We are constantly working to strengthen our educational curriculum to prepare students for their future success, and this vindicates that hard work.”

As part of the accreditation, UT completed a multi-year process of outcomes assessment and created a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) focused on “Learning by Doing,” both of which are required for the decennial reaffirmation cycle. Outcomes assessment includes demonstrations of student learning, use of best practices in providing education and accountability in all areas of functioning. This includes academics, student affairs, facilities and finances.

Regional accreditation is a peer-based process and represents accountability to government and students. It also certifies that the member schools have quality academic programs. As a result, regionally accredited schools allow students to transfer college credits, qualify for federal financial aid and recognize earned degrees from member schools. The University has been accredited by SACSCOC since 1951.

For more information about UT’s regional accreditation, visit www.ut.edu/planning/effectiveness/faqs/.

For more information about SACSCOC, visit www.sacscoc.org/.