CS 3.13 The institution complies with the policies of the Commission on Colleges. (Policy Compliance)
In Compliance
3.13. A. Accrediting Decisions of Other Agencies
Applicable Policy Statement. Any institution seeking or holding accreditation from more than one U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting body must describe itself in identical terms to each recognized accrediting body with regard to purpose, governance, programs, degrees, diplomas, certificates, personnel, finances, and constituencies, and must keep each institutional accrediting body apprised of any change in its status with one or another accrediting body.
Documentation: The institution should (1) list federally recognized agencies that currently accredit the institution, (2) provide the date of the most recent review by each agency and indicate if negative action was taken by the agency and the reason for such action, (3) provide copies of statements used to describe itself for each of the accrediting bodies, (4) indicate any agency that has terminated accreditation, the date, and the reason for termination, and (5) indicate the date and reason for the institution voluntarily withdrawing accreditation with any of the agencies.
In Compliance
While SACSCOC is the university’s primary, regional accreditor, several university degree programs are accredited by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). This document is based on the list found on the USDOE website (http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/accreditation_pg7.html) on December 15, 2014 and confirmed January 7, 2015. (Nationally Recognized Agencies Screenshot) (Specialized Accrediting Agencies Screenshot).
Within the requirements of the self-study or institutional report, the university strives to describe itself in identical terms with regard to purpose, governance, programs, degrees, diplomas, certificates, personnel, finances, and constituencies. Each report relies on standard institutional sources, such as the Common Data Set, the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs, the university website, and institutional publications such as the Faculty Handbook to provide consistent information to each of our accreditors. Naturally, there are also differences over time.
The university has successfully maintained its accredited status with each agency listed, with the result that there have been no changes in status of which to notify other accrediting agencies. Several of the specialized self-studies reference the university’s primary accreditation through SACSCOC.
The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) accredits the Masters degree in Occupational Therapy program through 2020/2021. The Report of the Self Study, dated November 15, 2010, describes the institution in the same terms as with SACSCOC. For example, the Introduction describes the OT program history on pages 5-6. The university’s organizational chart on p. 7. Section Three of the report, the Institutional Data Form, lists institutional administration and overall governance on pages 8-10 and SACSCOC accreditation on page 14. Instructional faculty and staff for OT are described on pages 14-16, and admissions policies relating to constituents are outlined on pages 18-20. University mission is referenced on page 24. This program was last reviewed by ACOTE in April 2012. There have been no negative actions from this agency, no terminated accreditation, or voluntary withdrawal from accreditation by the university.
The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredits the Pharmacy (PharmD.) program through 2020. This program submitted its Self Study Report in September 2011, and was reviewed in January 2012. This report describes the university in identical terms, particularly the institutional mission (p. 11 and p. 24), its description of faculty personnel (p. 747 and continuing); governance, in particular referencing the SU organizational chart, and the Faculty Senate (p. 76). The Self Study also uses the same language to describe institutional finances and the budget process (p. 742); the admission of new student constituents (p. 448) and program information (p. 491). The Report also references our regional accreditation with SACSCOC (p. 67). There have been no negative actions from this agency, no terminated accreditation, or voluntary withdrawal from accreditation by the university.
The American College of Nurse-Midwives Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACNM/ACME) accredits the Nurse-Midwifery program through 2015. This program was last reviewed in February 2006. The most recent Self Evaluation Report was submitted in January 2015. While the report format is unique, it describes program information, degree, governance and policies relative to constituencies in the same language. For example, a program description is found on pages 1-3; the relationship of the program to the university budget process is explained on pp. 5-6. The degree and certificate offered (p. 8) are the same as what is listed in the Commission Information form and in the university’s Graduate Catalog. A discussion of governance, particularly the Faculty Senate and the Academic Cabinet, appears on page 18. The university mission statement is referenced on page 34, whereas policies relating to admissions appear on pages 21-22. There have been no negative actions from this agency, no terminated accreditation, or voluntary withdrawal from accreditation by the university.
The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredits the Masters in Physical Therapy program. The most recent Annual Report (2013) made to CAPTE consists primarily of tables, but reflects the degree program on page 1, admissions/constituencies on pages 3-7 and faculty information on pages 8-17 in the same terms as that submitted to SACSCOC. This program was last reviewed in October 2008. There have been no negative actions from this agency, no terminated accreditation, or voluntary withdrawal from accreditation by the university.
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits the bachelor and masters degrees in Nursing through 2019. The Self Study Report or the Baccalaureate and Masters degrees, dated April 2009, describes institutional mission on pages 1-6, general institutional governance on p. xii, references SACSCOC accreditation on page xii, and describes program and degree information on page xiii. Information on faculty and program administration is found starting on page 24-25. These programs were last reviewed in November 2009.
In addition, the CCNE accredits the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. The Self Study Report for this program was submitted in January 2010. The Report describes institutional governance and history of the program on pages xii-xiii, mission on page 3-4 and faculty personnel on pages 29-31. The DNP program is accredited through 2015. There have been no negative actions from this agency, no terminated accreditation, or voluntary withdrawal from accreditation by the university.
The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) accredits the Conservatory Music program, including 12 undergraduate degrees, 15 graduate degrees and 6 certificates. This accreditation is valid through 2020. The Self-Study prepared in 2009 describes the university in the same terms used with SACSCOC. For example, the degree and certificate programs listed in the Table of Contents are the identical with what has been reported to SACSCOC. Section 1-A describes the institutional mission verbatim. Section I-C describes financial data in identical terms, and Section V, Appendix D provides a copy of an audited financial statement, the same as those submitted to SACSCOC. Section I-D describes governance in identical terms, as does Section I-E regarding faculty and staff. This program was last reviewed in 2010. There have been no negative actions from this agency, no terminated accreditation, or voluntary withdrawal from accreditation by the university.
The Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) accredits the Teacher Education Preparation Program, the MSED Administration and Supervision, and the Professional Licensure Program. The TEAC Inquiry Teacher Program Brief, dated September 15, 2011, describes the university in identical terms, including mission on page 4, history of the institution, program overview and governance on page 1, accreditation by SACSCOC also on page 1 and faculty personnel in Appendix C, p. 72 . The MSED and Professional Licensure Inquiry Brief, dated September 2011, also describes the university in identical terms. Pages 1-2 describe the program in the larger context of Shenandoah University. The university mission is noted on in the Mission and Profile on pages 5-6, and again, the university’s organization chart is referenced in the Organizational Chart. These programs were last reviewed in February 2012, and each (Teachers Education and MSED and Prof Licensure) are accredited through February 2019. There have been no negative actions from this agency, no terminated accreditation, or voluntary withdrawal from accreditation by the university.
In the interest of completeness, we also list the following specialized accreditors, though they are not listed on the USDOE website and therefore do not fall under the requirements of Comprehensive Standard 3.13. A.
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) accredits the Physician Assistant Studies program through 2015. This program was last reviewed in September 2009, and will undergo a site visit in October 2014 for a March 2015 renewal. There have been no negative actions from this agency, no terminated accreditation, or voluntary withdrawal from accreditation by the university.
The American Music Therapy Association, Inc. (AMTA) accredits the Music Therapy program through 2020, or until the next NASM review. This program was last reviewed and approved in July 2011. There have been no negative actions from this agency, no terminated accreditation, or voluntary withdrawal from accreditation by the university.
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) accredits the Business program through 2017. This program was last reviewed in May 2012. There have been no negative actions from this agency, no terminated accreditation, or voluntary withdrawal from accreditation by the university.
The Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) accredits the Respiratory Care program through 2014. There have been no negative actions from this agency, no terminated accreditation, or voluntary withdrawal from accreditation by the university. The program was reviewed November 17-18, 2014, and the institution is awaiting a response from the agency in March 2015
The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredits the Athletic Training program through 2019. This program was last reviewed in March 2010. There have been no negative actions from this agency, no terminated accreditation, or voluntary withdrawal from accreditation by the university.
The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) certifies that the university is approved to operate in Virginia. Institutions of higher education formed, chartered, or established in the Commonwealth of Virginia that have maintained a main campus under the same ownership for 10 years and have remained fully accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education are exempt from the requirements of certification or approval by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). The exemption entitles these institutions to conduct academic affairs or business without seeking or obtaining SCHEV approval. Last reviewed in June 2004, Shenandoah University is exempt from certification requirements <http://www.schev.edu/students/collegeListAlphat.asp>. There have been no negative actions from this agency, no terminated certification, and no voluntary withdrawal from accreditation or certification by the university.
The University Senate of the United Methodist Church reviews the university for inclusion and listing as a United Methodist-related academic institution. The most recent review occurred in January 2010, with approval granted without qualification. There have been no negative actions from this agency, no terminated accreditation, or voluntary withdrawal from accreditation by the university.
Virginia Board of Nursing reviews and approves the RN program, through 2013, but according to an email from Dean Kathy Ganske, this approval has been extended to 2015. The program was last reviewed in March 2005. Reports are submitted annually. There have been no negative actions from this agency, no terminated accreditation, or voluntary withdrawal from accreditation by the university.
Supporting Documentation
Common Data Set 2013-14
Undergraduate Catalog 2014-2015
Graduate Catalog 2014-2015
USDOE Approved Programs
Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies screenshot
Specialized Accrediting Agencies screenshot
The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) Report of the Self Study
The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Self-Study Report 2011
ACPE Response 2012
ACPE Letter 2014
The American College of Nurse-Midwives Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACNM/ACME) Self Evaluation Report 2015
ACNM Approval 2006
The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) Annual Report 2013
Accreditation Certificate The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Self Study Report for Nursing Baccalaureate and Masters degrees
Self Study Report for Doctor of Nursing Practice
CCNE letter Accreditation certificates: CCNE-DNP letter; CCNE Bachelors-Masters letter page 1; page 2
National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) Self Study: Table of Contents; Section 1-A Purpose; Section I-C Finances; Section I-D Governance; Section I-E Faculty Staff; Section V, Appendix D; Audit 2008
NASM response continuance letter
The Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) Education Preparation Program Inquiry Brief
MSED and Professional Licensure Inquiry Brief
Approval certificates from TEAC: Approval 1; Approval 2
Other specialized accreditation or approvals:
ARC-PA approval
AMTA Approval
AACSB Acceptance Letter
CoARC Self Study
CAATE Response letter
SCHEV Approval
University Senate of the United Methodist Church Approval
Virginia Board of Nursing ApprovalsEmail from Kathy Ganske regarding Virginia Board of Nursing