ASU Receives Accreditation, No Need for Improvement

Angelo State University has earned reaffirmation with no recommendations for improvement for its accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) following the December annual meeting of the accrediting body’s board of trustees.

In announcing the accreditation, ASU President Brian J. May said, “This is the best possible outcome for Angelo State’s reaffirmation.  Only 2 percent of schools receive reaffirmation with one or fewer recommendations for improvement.  This result ranks us with some of the best universities in the nation and validates the quality of education ASU provides our students.”  

A total evaluation of the university’s academic programs and administrative procedures is required once every 10 years for reaffirmation.  The reaffirmation process involves a campus-wide self-study, which is submitted to SACSCOC for review.  A team of SACSCOC representatives then visits the campus for an inspection and external evaluation of programs and procedures.  

ASU’s written report was submitted in the fall of 2012 with the site visit the following March.  During the visit, the evaluation team assessed ASU on 92 different standards for compliance.  Of the 92 standards, the SACSCOC on-site team sought clarification on only one.  Subsequent information provided to the accrediting body resolved the visiting team’s concern and helped earn ASU final reaffirmation without any recommendations for improvement.  

“The resounding success of our reaffirmation process,” said May, “is testament to the hard work of staff, faculty and administrators in meeting and, in many cases, exceeding the standards of the commission in evaluating Angelo State’s academic programs and experience.  Our goal is to always enhance the educational experience of our students, and the reaffirmation process gives us the opportunity to assess that experience.  Everyone associated with Angelo State should be proud of the results.”

Accreditation is a requirement for universities to transfer academic credits, to receive federal funds for research and programs, and to be able to award federal student financial aid.  ASU will be required to provide a five-year interim report before beginning the reaffirmation process again for the fall of 2022.  With the reaffirmation, ASU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, master’s and doctorate degrees.