In order to be accredited by SACSCOC, an institution is required to conduct a comprehensive compliance audit before filing the Compliance Certification.  The compliance audit includes an assessment of all programs and courses offered by the institution on campus and off campus, and those offered through distance learning. Completion of the Compliance Certification requires three actions by the institution for each of the standards and requirements for accreditation:

  1. Determining the level of compliance
  2. Attaching documentation that supports the level of compliance indicated
  3. Developing a narrative that summarizes, links, and interprets the documentation as it builds a case in support of the level of compliance indicated.

The Compliance Certification, signed by the institution’s chief executive officer and accreditation liaison, attests to the institution’s honest assessment of compliance with the accreditation requirements of SACSCOC—including core requirements, comprehensive standards, and federal requirements—as applied to all aspects of the institution. 

The SACSCOC Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement, adopted by the College Delegate Assembly December 2017, can be viewed online or downloaded from the SACSCOC web site.