Accreditation Agency to Visit UW-WC

The University of Wisconsin-Washington County will host a team of evaluators from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools from Nov. 4-7, 2012 as part of the ten-year evaluation continuing accreditation process undertaken by nearly all colleges and universities. The team is expected to visit the UW-Washington County campus on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 6.

The Higher Learning Commission is one of six accrediting agencies in the United States that provide institutional accreditation on a regional basis. The commission accredits about 1,100 institutions of higher education in a 19-state region and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Institutional accreditation evaluates an entire institution and accredits it as a whole. Other agencies provide accreditation for specific programs. Accreditation is voluntary.

UW-WC, a campus of the University of Wisconsin Colleges, has been engaged in a self-study process for the past 18 months as part of the continuing accreditation process.  Dr. Alan Paul Price, CEO/dean of UW-WC said the evaluators will visit the campus to gather evidence that the self-study is thorough and accurate. Formal continuing accreditation is expected to be granted in March 2013.

UW Colleges has been accredited since 1977 to offer an Associate of Arts and Science degree. This year, UW Colleges has also applied for accreditation to offer a new Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree-completion program at six campuses (not) including UW-WC.

The Higher Learning Commission accreditation is based on five key criteria: Whether UW Colleges is meeting its stated mission; is prepared to meet future needs; uses effective teaching methods and achieves positive learning outcomes; provides opportunities for the acquisition, discovery and application of knowledge; and actively engages and serves the community. More information about the criteria is available on the UW Colleges website.