INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS

Ave Maria University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Ave Maria University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Ave Maria University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's website (www.sacscoc.org).

Inquiries concerning Ave Maria University, such as admission requirements, financial aid, educational programs, etc., should be addressed directly to Ave Maria University and not to the Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The Commission should be contacted only in the instance there is evidence of significant non-compliance with a SACSCOC requirement or standard.

Why Ave Maria University is accredited by SACSCOC

Maintaining SACSCOC regional accreditation:

• Demonstrates the university meets or exceeds common standards of excellence for an institution of higher education
• Impacts acceptance and transferability of credit hours and courses to/from other institutions
• Affects institutional eligibility for its students to receive federal and state financial aid
• Affects eligibility of faculty and staff to receive federal funding/grants
• Helps students identify acceptable institutions for enrollment
• Enables graduates to sit for licensing exams and pursue graduate programs

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

SACSCOC has six core value areas that guide its service to members and the public, drive the accreditation process for its members, and are reflected in its Principles of Accreditation. These areas of focus are Integrity, Continuous Quality Improvement, Peer Review/Self-regulation, Accountability, Student Learning and Transparency.

The Principles of Accreditation

To maintain accreditation with SACSCOC, an institution must comply with the standards contained in The Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement and with the policies and procedures of the Commission. The Principles of Accreditation are the primary source to gain an understanding of the process of accreditation including the application of SACSCOC standards. These principles are organized in sections and are structured by respective topic. The Principles of Accreditation also distinguishes the significance of its Core Requirements from the position of the other standards. A Core Requirement is a basic, broad-based, foundational requirement that establishes a threshold of development required of all institutions seeking reaffirmation.

Reaffirmation of Accreditation

Ave Maria University fulfilled its obligation to submit its Compliance Certification Report in September 2024. Following both off-site and on-site reviews of all standards in the Principles of Accreditation, the on-site reaffirmation review team confirmed AMU satisfactorily meeting the Core Requirements and other key metrics. The official decision to accept the On-Site Reaffirmation Committee's recommendation to the SACSCOC Board of Trustees will be announced at the SACSCOC Annual Meeting in December 2025.

Quality Enhancement Plan

An institution's Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is an integral component of the reaffirmation of accreditation process and is derived from an institution's ongoing comprehensive planning and evaluation processes. According to SACSCOC, an institution's QEP reflects and affirms its commitment to enhance overall institutional quality and effectiveness by focusing on an issue that the institution considers important to improving student learning outcomes and/or student success.

The focus of Ave Maria University's QEP, Gaudium in Veritate - Joy in the Truth: Strengthening the First-Year Experience for Student Success, is a strategic, 5-year initiative designed to improve student success through a revised First-Year Experience (FYE) program. Rooted in the University's Catholic liberal arts mission, this QEP strengthens student engagement in academics, community, and faculty relationships to foster a deeper sense of belonging, improve retention, and support long-term persistence.