Self-evaluation is an integrated, ongoing process, meaning that institutions are dealing with all aspects of the Standards at all times. Self-evaluation helps institutions clearly see their strengths with regard to the Standards, but to also see in what ways they can improve. Each report builds on and informs the other reports undertaken by the institution.
Every accredited institution has a regular schedule of self-evaluation reports over a seven-year period. Additional reports may be requested based upon items or issues identified by the Board of Commissioners for more specific study.
Self-evaluation reports can take several different forms.
Conducted in the third year of the seven-year cycle, the Mid-Cycle Evaluation is intended to ascertain an institution’s readiness to provide evidence (outcomes) of mission fulfillment and sustainability in the Year Seven. The Mid-Cycle Evaluation includes a visit by a team of evaluators to assist institutions in determining if the process of outcomes assessment will lead them to a successful Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness self-evaluation and peer evaluation. It is intended to be a formative and collegial evaluation with the institution in conversation with the evaluators.
The Year Six, Standard Two, Policies, Regulations, and Financial Review (PRFR) pertains to elements in Standard Two – Governance, Resources, and Capacity and is undertaken during the sixth year of the seven-year accreditation cycle.
In year seven of the seven-year accreditation cycle, the institution conducts a comprehensive self-evaluation on all Standards and Eligibility Requirements. In doing so it also updates its response to Standard One to ensure its response to that Standard is current and relevant. Following the self-evaluation, it prepares a Year Seven Self-Evaluation Report for submission to the Commission office. These Year Seven Mission Fulfillment and Sustainability Reports include the institution’s assessments of core theme achievement, mission fulfillment and student success and achievement. Year Seven Evaluations include an on-site visit by a team of peer evaluators. The institution reports are evaluated by the visiting teams and together with its evaluation and analysis of the institution’s resources, including financial resources, stability and sustainability, serve as the basis on which the Commission grants reaffirmation of accreditation.
An ad hoc report from the institution which may be requested by the Commission to address concerns related to institutional finances and/or enrollment.
This is a written Self-Evaluation Report to address one or more specified concerns communicated by the Commission. It may or may not require an on-site peer evaluation.
An Applicant institution’s comprehensive self-evaluation report that addresses all NWCCU Eligibility Requirements and Standards for Accreditation. The Initial Candidacy Self-Evaluation Report is submitted to the Commission for consideration of Candidacy. Initial Candidacy Evaluations include an on-site visit by a team of peer evaluators.
A Candidate institution’s comprehensive self-evaluation report that addresses all NWCCU Eligibility Requirements and Standards for Accreditation in a concise manner that reports updates since the last evaluation. The Interim Candidacy Self-Evaluation Report is submitted to the Commission for consideration of continuation of Candidacy. Interim Candidacy Evaluations include an on-site visit by a team of peer evaluators.
A Candidate institution’s comprehensive self-evaluation report that addresses all NWCCU Eligibility Requirements and Standards for Accreditation. The Accreditation Self-Evaluation Report is submitted to the Commission for consideration of Accreditation. Initial Accreditation Evaluations include an on-site visit by a team of peer evaluators.
The Annual Report helps the Commission monitor institutional trends and changes and provides a good deal of the data that the Commission makes available to the U.S. Department of Education. All member and candidate institutions complete an Annual Report each year in the spring. This report is in addition to the regularly scheduled reports that are part of the institution’s seven-year cycle. The report asks for updated demographic information, IPEDS financial information, graduation rates, and information related to Title IV requirements such as student loan default rates.
Institutional report links and passwords are usually emailed to institutional liaisons in early spring.