Accreditation Disclosure at Shaw University
Shaw University adheres to the SACSCOC policy on Institutional Obligations for Public Disclosure that states,"A candidate or accredited SACSCOC institution is obligated to provide to its students, constituents, and the public information about itself that is complete, accurate, timely, accessible, clear and sufficient."
Policy Sections
Requirement: "The institution's current catalogue describes the institution consistent with its mission statement and sets forth the obligations and responsibilities of both students and the institution. Institutions relying on electronic catalogues ensure the availability of archival editions sufficient to serve the needs of alumni and former and returning students."
Response: Shaw University's current undergraduate and graduate catalogs describe the institution consistent with its mission statement and set forth the obligations and responsibilities of both students and the institution. The catalog informs students of expectations and includes the following information:
- general information about the institution's mission, accreditation, and degrees offered,
- admissions and enrollment,
- registration and reentry,
- academic resources,
- policies and disclosures,
- programs of study and required courses,
- student services,
- course descriptions,
- administration and faculty rosters,
- graduation requirements.
Hard copies of all old catalogs are located in the Archives Room on the first floor of the James E. Cheek Learning Resources Center, the main campus library. Shaw University catalogs may also be accessed online at www.digitalnc.org.
Direct content questions to the Office of Academic Affairs.
Requirement: "All forms of print and electronic communications officially representing the institution are consistent with catalogue content and accurately portray the conditions and opportunities available at the institution."
Response: The Undergraduate Catalog and Graduate Catalog serve as the official documents to provide foundational content for all print and web communications. All official printed publications must be approved by the Office of Public Relations to ensure that they accurately portray conditions and opportunities at Shaw University, and that the design is consistent with the university's branding strategy.
The Shaw University Office of Public Relations is responsible for the development and maintenance of many university web properties including the main university website and social media. The University's website contains detailed webpages that depict and describe Campus Life and Academic Life at Shaw University.
Direct questions about this requirement to the Office of Public Relations
Requirement: "The institution publishes the locations and programs available at branch campuses, and other off-campus instructional locations, including those overseas operations at which students can enroll for a degree, along with a description of the programs and services available at each location."
Response: Shaw University offers selected courses and programs at off-campus instructional locations. The nine off-campus instructional sites include locations at Ahoskie, Durham, Fayetteville, High Point, Greenville, Kannapolis, Raleigh, Rocky Mount and Wilmington. Students can easily search and identify programs offered by accessing the Adult Degree Program page. Each campus instructional site has a page detailing programs and services available at its location. Shaw University also offers support for distance education learners. Shaw University does not operate any campuses overseas.
Direct questions about this requirement to the Office of Academic Affairs.
Requirement: "The institution publishes statements of its goals for student achievement and the success of students in achieving those goals. Information on student success may include reliable information in retention, graduation, course completion, licensure examinations, and job placement rates and other measures of student success appropriate to institutional mission."
Response: Shaw University monitors a variety of measures of student achievement including enrollment, retention, and degrees conferred.
The Office of Strategic Planning, Institutional Research, and Effectiveness annually publishes the Shaw University Fact Book that contains achievement data including:
- Headcount and FTE enrollment
- First-year student retention rates (one-year)
- Four-year graduation rates
- Six-year graduation rates
- Number of degrees conferred
Statistics in this source are revised annually, and Fact Books are made available online.
Useful data on Shaw University and many other institutions of higher education is available from College Navigator and The Education Trust's College Results Online.
The Undergraduate Catalog and Graduate Catalog serve as the official documents that publish selected student learning outcomes (or educational outcomes) for students in every major. Students seeking data on achievement of student learning outcomes for a particular undergraduate or graduate program should submit their request to the program's department head directly, access at the departmental website, or send the request to the Office of Strategic Planning, Institutional Research, and Effectiveness.
Many majors, particularly those that are recognized by specialized or professional accrediting organizations, have additional learning goals based on national standards or licensing requirements; those student achievement goals can be obtained directly from the major department or by accessing the websites of the appropriate specialized accrediting organization.
Requirement: "The institution has readily available valid documentation for any statements and promises regarding such matters as program excellence, learning outcomes, success in placement, and achievements of graduates or faculty."
Response: Shaw University discloses and provides documentation to support statements regarding program excellence, learning outcomes, and student success.
Student Achievements:
The Office of Strategic Planning, Institutional Research, and Effectiveness provides data about outcomes on its webpage and also collects and publishes:
The Undergraduate Catalog and Graduate Catalog publish selected student learning outcomes (or educational outcomes) for students in every major. Students seeking data on achievement of student learning outcomes for a particular undergraduate or graduate program should submit their request to the program's department head directly or send the request to the Office of Strategic Planning, Institutional Research, and Effectiveness.
An additional measure of program excellence is the fact that many of Shaw University's academic programs are recognized by specialized or professional accrediting entities; those programs are listed on the University's webpage and in the Undergraduate Catalogs.
If applicable to the discipline, selected academic departments track and maintain data on student achievement with respect to national standardized test or licensure results:
Faculty Achievements:
Shaw University's faculty members are highly competent and qualified, committed to academic excellence in the classroom and in scholarship and service. The Shaw University news webpage contains feature articles since 1998 highlighting successes and achievements of our faculty and staff. All faculty members at Shaw University are academically qualified to teach those courses assigned to them, and all full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty are evaluated annually and for promotion and tenure. Shaw University uses Digital Measures Faculty Insight to record faculty activity (teaching, service, and research). For a detailed listing of scholarly activities, contact the desired department or send a request to the Office of Strategic Planning, Institutional Research, and Effectiveness.
Should more detailed, granular data be needed, please contact the Office of Strategic Planning, Institutional Research, and Effectiveness.
Direct questions about this requirement to the Office of Strategic Planning, Institutional Research, and Effectiveness.
Requirement: "The institution's statements about its current accredited status are accurately and explicitly worded as indicated in Comprehensive Standard 3.14.1 (Publication of accreditation status) of the Principles of Accreditation."
Response: Shaw University words statements about our current accredited status accurately and explicitly as required in Comprehensive Standard 3.14.1 (Publication of accreditation status) of the Principles of Accreditation. The principal locations where this statement appears are (1) the Shaw University homepage, (2) within the Shaw University website, and (3) the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs.
Direct questions about this requirement to the Office of Strategic Planning, Institutional Research, and Effectiveness.
Modified from an example found at http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/sacs/accreditation-disclosure-at-vsu.php