The Commission on Colleges and Universities

10/19/2026

The Principles of Accreditation are being shaped by peers.

Our Principles Review Committee includes leaders from member institutions across our membership. They weigh institutional and public feedback and federal requirements, drawing on their own expertise to decide what accreditation should ask of colleges and universities.

Draft 2 is still a working draft, and the committee reviews every comment before anything is final. Read the draft, hear from committee members, and share your feedback:

Principles Review The future of accreditation should be shaped by the institutions and stakeholders it serves. Principles of Accreditation Review […]

10/05/2026

There’s still time to save on registration for the 2026 Annual Meeting!

Early registration pricing is available through Wednesday, October 7, so don’t miss your chance to save.

We look forward to welcoming higher education leaders and professionals from across our membership to Houston, December 5–8, as we come together to Explore New Frontiers in Accreditation.

Register today: https://commissioncu.org/insights-events/events/annual-meeting/

10/01/2026

Our new website is live — rebuilt to make it easier to find accreditation policies, forms, and deadlines, and to understand what accreditation means and how it affects your education.

Visit the new site here:

The Commission is an institutional accreditor for quality assurance in higher education. The Commission accredits institutions that award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degrees, including those offered via distance and correspondence education, and direct assessment within these i...

09/24/2026

Higher education matters because what happens on our campuses reaches far beyond them. It produces the thinkers, employees, leaders, and citizens who will shape the world.

For Commission President Stephen L. Pruitt, that makes our work fundamentally about students — ensuring they can have confidence in the quality of their education and the institutions they choose to attend.

That’s the responsibility behind the work. And ultimately, student success is why it matters.

Students first, always.

09/10/2026

Yesterday, The Commission on Colleges and Universities team met at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, for our annual staff retreat — a day to connect, collaborate, and move forward together.

The retreat gave us an opportunity to recognize the organization's legacy and focus on what comes next: strengthening how we work together, embracing new ideas, and continuing to put Students First, Always.

Thank you to Agnes Scott College and President Leocadia I. Zak for hosting us on such a beautiful campus — and to our entire Commission team for the energy, ideas, and commitment they bring to this work every day.

09/08/2026

Registration is officially open for the 2026 Annual Meeting!

We’re heading to Houston December 5–8 for Exploring New Frontiers in Accreditation — time for learning, conversation, connection, and ideas for navigating a rapidly changing higher education landscape.

Whether you’re new to accreditation or have years of experience, the Annual Meeting offers opportunities to gain practical knowledge, hear from institutional peers, explore emerging issues, and connect with colleagues from across The Commission’s membership.

📅 December 5–8, 2026
📍 George R. Brown Convention Center | Houston, Texas

Register today and join us as we explore what’s next.

https://sacscoc.org/annual-meeting/

09/01/2026

You may notice a new name in your feed today.

As of September 1, we are publicly known as The Commission on Colleges and Universities. The Commission is the same organization, with the same staff, the same standards, and the same commitment to the institutions we serve — HBCUs, public and private institutions, community colleges, research universities, seminaries, and fully online institutions.

One important note for our member institutions: SACSCOC remains the name of your accreditation. Your accreditation continues to carry the SACSCOC seal, and you do not need to change your existing accreditation statements.

In the coming weeks, you'll see a brand new website, updated publications, social media, and more. It's an exciting time at The Commission!

Learn more about the new brand and what it means for your institution: https://sacscoc.org/introducing-the-commission/

07/17/2026

This month's edition of the Torch Report highlights the launch of the SACSCOC Transfer Credit Consortium—a new voluntary, faculty-led initiative designed to improve the transfer of general education credit and help create clearer pathways to student success.

You'll also find updates on:
🔹 Our new Commission brand
🔹 The Workforce Initiative
🔹 Substantive Change approvals
🔹 Staff and member news
🔹 Opportunities to get involved in the 2026 Annual Meeting

Together, these stories reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting member institutions and putting Students First, Always.

📘 Read the July issue here: https://sacscoc.org/torch-report/

07/13/2026

Students shouldn't have to start over just because they transferred to a new college or university.

Every year, students lose valuable college credit when they transfer between institutions — adding unnecessary time, expense, and frustration to earning a degree.

That's why SACSCOC is launching the Transfer Credit Consortium, a new voluntary, faculty-led initiative designed to help colleges and universities create clearer transfer pathways for general education courses.

The Consortium brings institutions together to reduce unnecessary credit loss while preserving what matters most:
🎓 Academic quality
👩‍🏫 Faculty leadership
🏛️ Institutional independence

When students can keep the credit they've already earned, they're better positioned to complete their degrees, enter the workforce sooner, and achieve their goals.

We look forward to working with our member institutions to build better pathways for student success.

📖 Learn more: https://sacscoc.org/news-and-events/sacscoc-launches-national-initiative-to-boost-transfer-of-credit-between-member-institutions/