Differentiated Review Process

All institutions accredited by The Commission on Colleges and Universities are required to undergo a review for reaffirmation of accreditation every ten (10) years. After being granted initial accreditation, new member institutions are reviewed for reaffirmation of accreditation after five (5) years, then every ten (10) years thereafter. While maintaining the rigor associated with the reaffirmation of accreditation process, member institutions may participate in a Differentiated Review Process if they meet eligibility requirements. The reaffirmation review occurs in accordance with procedures outlined in pertinent The Commission documents including handbooks and other policies (see the Principles of Accreditation and the “Handbook for Institutions Seeking Reaffirmation of Accreditation”). The differentiated review process will include compiling and submitting a modified Compliance Certification, and documenting compliance with the Principles of Accreditation. The Differentiated Review Process includes off-site and on-site reviews, and institutions document fewer of the Principles of Accreditation standards during the initial process (institutions may need to address additional standards based on reports or supplemental information discovered). Institutions may not participate in the Differentiated Review process for two consecutive decennial reaffirmation of accreditation processes.

In accordance with the “Time Line for Institutional Responses to the Reports of Visiting Committees” section of The Commission Deadlines for Reports and Profiles policy, institutions within the reaffirmation class (Tracks A & B) approaching the reaffirmation of accreditation process may apply to participate in the Differentiated Review Process. The Commission staff will identify member institutions that meet the initial eligibility criteria.

Institutions must demonstrate the following eligibility criteria to participate in the Differentiated Review Process:

• Has been accredited by The Commission for at least ten (10) years.
• Has not been placed on sanction (Warning, Probation, or Probation for Good Cause) by The Commission within the last five (5) years.
• Has not submitted a The Commission Monitoring Report within the last five (5) years.

Eligibility to participate in this process may be rescinded if the institution no longer meets the eligibility criteria.

The eligibility committee may consider additional conditions that may prevent an institution from participating in a differentiated review to include, the institution:

• Has not experienced any of the following in the last five (5) years:
• Constant change in institutional CEO position.
• Significant (20% or more) increase/decrease in enrollment over the last five (5) years.
• Has not demonstrated issues with board/administrative distinction.
• Has not been placed on sanction from a programmatic, professional or national athletic association or accreditor.
• Has not experienced monitoring for its institutional finances in the last five (5) years.
• Has not had a significant number of substantive changes within the last five (5) years.
• An example of “significant number of substantive changes” occurs if the number of new instructional sites exceeds the mean number of such new sites for the reaffirmation class and represents more than a 50% increase for the institution in the last five (5) years.

An eligibility review committee will consider the eligible institutions’ responses to the aforementioned eligibility criteria and recommend their participation to the Executive Council. The Executive Council will confirm an institution’s eligibility to participate in the Differentiated Review Process. Institutions will receive written notification of eligibility and must affirm their participation to The Commission President, in writing. Institutions may not appeal the Executive Council’s decision.

All The Commission member institutions that meet the aforementioned eligibility criteria are approved to engage in the Differentiated Review Process. Participants must complete the Board approved Compliance Certification for Differentiated Review.

Institutions that meet the eligibility requirements and participate in the Differentiated Review Process may not participate in the Differentiated Review Process for the institution’s next decennial reaffirmation of accreditation.