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What is QEP?

One of the fundamental requirements for reaffirmation of our institutional accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission of Colleges (SACS-COC) is the development of an acceptable Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP).

A QEP is a five-year initiative to improve some aspect of our student learning outcomes or our student learning environment. Development of an acceptable QEP is one of the 12 core requirements set forth by the COC with which institutions must comply as part of the reaffirmation process.

An acceptable QEP must meet five criteria:

• Includes a broad-based institutional process identifying key issues emerging from institutional assessment;
• Focuses on learning outcomes and/or the environment supporting student learning and accomplishing the mission of the institution;
• Demonstrates institutional capability for the initiation, implementation and completion of the QEP;
• Includes broad-based involvement of institutional constituencies in the development and proposed implementation of the QEP;
• Identifies goals and a plan to assess their achievement.

(The Principles of Accreditation: Foundation for Quality Enhancement. SACS-COC, 2008)