Core Requirements are basic, broad-based, foundational requirements that an institution must meet to be accredited with the Commission on Colleges. They establish a threshold of development required of an institution seeking initial or continued accreditation by the Commission and reflect the Commission’s basic expectations of candidate and member institutions. Compliance with the Core Requirements is not sufficient to warrant accreditation or reaffirmation of accreditation. Accredited institutions must also demonstrate compliance with the Comprehensive Standards and the Federal Requirements of the Principles, and with the policies of the Commission.
An applicant institution seeking candidacy is required to document compliance with Core Requirements 2.1 – 2.11; Comprehensive Standards 3.3.1, 3.5.1, and 3.7.1; and Federal Requirements 4.1 – 4.7 to be authorized a Candidacy Committee or to be awarded candidacy or candidacy renewal. An applicant/candidate institution is not required to document compliance with Core Requirement 2.12 until it undergoes its first review for reaffirmation following initial accreditation. (See Commission policy “Accreditation Procedures for Applicant Institutions.”)
An accredited institution is required to document compliance with all Core Requirements, including Core Requirement 2.12, before it can be reaffirmed. If an institution fails to document compliance, the Commission will place the institution on sanction or take adverse action. (See Commission policy “Sanctions, Denial of Reaffirmation, and Removal from Membership.”)
Core Requirement 2.12 requires an institution to develop an acceptable Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). Engaging the wider academic community, the QEP is based upon a comprehensive and thorough analysis of the effectiveness of the learning environment for supporting student learning and accomplishing the mission of the institution.
Implicit in every Core Requirement mandating a policy or procedure is the expectation that the policy or procedure is in writing and has been approved through appropriate institutional processes, published in appropriate institutional documents accessible to those affected by the policy or procedure, and implemented and enforced by the institution.