What is SACSCOC?
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is proud to announce it has successfully completed its Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Fifth-Year Interim Committee Review, receiving a completely clean audit, full compliance across all reviewed standards with no follow-up reports, no referrals, and no additional monitoring required. It will formally go to the SACSCOC Board of Trustees in June for approval.
The SACSCOC Fifth-Year Interim Review is a rigorous evaluation that takes place midway through an institution’s 10-year accreditation cycle. The review assesses continued compliance with key accreditation standards and evaluates the progress and effectiveness of the institution’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), a long-term initiative designed to improve student learning and success.
During the review, SACSCOC evaluated NCWU’s compliance with 22 specific core requirements and standards, including areas such as faculty qualifications and adequacy, student achievement, academic program quality, student support services, distance education policies, transparency, and institutional effectiveness.
In addition, NCWU submitted its Quality Enhancement Plan Impact Report, which was reviewed and accepted by the SACSCOC committee. “Dr. Daniel Elias (Associate Professor of Environmental Science/Program Coordinator, Environmental Science) provided extraordinary leadership in preparing NCWU’s Quality Enhancement Plan,” said Dr. Joe Lane, Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs.
Contributions & Recognitions
“This is an extraordinary milestone for North Carolina Wesleyan University,” said Dr. Evan D. Duff, President of NCWU. “Successfully completing the SACSCOC Fifth-Year Interim Review with a completely clean audit is a tremendous accomplishment and a powerful affirmation of the quality, integrity, and dedication that defines Wesleyan. Our faculty and staff don’t simply prepare for accreditation, they live our standards every day, ensuring our students receive an exceptional educational experience.”
A clean Fifth-Year Interim Review is an achievement reached by only a small percentage of institutions, making the outcome a significant validation of NCWU’s commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.
The successful review reflects the work of the University’s Institutional Effectiveness team, along with strong collaboration across academic and administrative departments.
Dr. Duff specifically recognized the leadership of Dr. Jarrod Kelly, Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation, and Scott Marsigli, Institutional Effectiveness Analyst and Administrative Assessment Coordinator, who played key roles in coordinating the review process and preparing the comprehensive report submitted to SACSCOC. The Provost’s Office was also acknowledged for its coordination and oversight to ensure academic programs and student outcomes were thoroughly documented and aligned with accreditation expectations.
In reflection, Dr. Jarrod Kelly shares, “Having the SACSCOC Review Committee raise zero questions or concerns about our report speaks to the dedication and commitment of faculty and staff, particularly the team who spent over a year working on the report. To my knowledge, NCWU has never had a completely clean review with no committee findings. I believe that this reflects positively on our approach since our last reaffirmation to better educate and inform the campus community about the goals and importance of accreditation processes for maintaining quality and building a culture of continuous improvement.”
“This accomplishment is a reflection of the collective excellence of our entire campus community,” Dr. Duff added. “It reinforces that North Carolina Wesleyan University is not only meeting expectations, but we are exceeding them. We are on strong footing as we continue toward our next full reaffirmation, and I could not be prouder of the team that makes this institution so special.”
NC Wesleyan remains committed to providing a high-quality educational experience that supports student success, strengthens academic programs, and serves the broader community with integrity and purpose.
NC Wesleyan MPH Gains CEPH Applicant Status
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is pleased to announce that its Master of Public Health (MPH) program has received approval of its initial application for accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the nationally recognized accrediting body for schools and programs of public health.
The application was reviewed and approved during CEPH’s April meeting, granting the NCWU MPH program official applicant status. This designation authorizes the program to advance to the next stage of the accreditation process, which includes completion of a comprehensive self-study aligned with CEPH accreditation criteria.
CEPH accreditation is widely recognized as a national mark of quality and serves as an assurance that public health programs meet rigorous educational and professional standards. Receiving applicant status represents an important milestone toward full accreditation and reflects the program’s progress in meeting CEPH eligibility requirements and demonstrating readiness for comprehensive evaluation.
“This is an exciting step forward for our MPH program and for North Carolina Wesleyan University,” said Dr. Shannon Crowley, Professor of Public Health and MPH Program Director. “Achieving CEPH applicant status demonstrates the strength of our program and our commitment to preparing future public health professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to make a difference in their communities.”
NCWU’s Master of Public Health program is designed to equip students with a strong foundation in public health principles, leadership, research, and applied practice. The program offers specialized concentrations in Physical Activity and Health and Social Epidemiology, distinguishing NCWU as the only institution in North Carolina to offer these MPH focus areas,Accreditationand aligns with the university’s mission to address critical health challenges through high‑quality, community‑focused graduate education.
The MPH program will now begin the formal self-study process and continue progressing through CEPH’s multi-step accreditation pathway.
For more information about NCWU’s Master of Public Health program, visit https://ncwu.edu/academics/graduate-programs/master-of-public-health/.
NC Wesleyan University Earns National Accreditation of Teacher Education Program
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – The Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) has awarded full 7-year accreditation to North Carolina Wesleyan University’s Teacher Education program.
After reviewing the evidence collected through a process of self-study and peer review, the AAQEP Accreditation Commission issued the decision at its June 10 meeting along with the following rationale:
The Commission evaluated the program’s evidence for each AAQEP standard and determined that all four standards are met. Completers of the program are prepared to work effectively as professional educators who are able to adapt to different contexts and to grow professionally. The Teacher Education Program analyzes evidence of its effectiveness and makes revisions to benefit candidates, maintaining a high level of quality in a small and personalized program. In addition, the program engages with stakeholders and partners to strengthen the local P-20 education system.
North Carolina Wesleyan University’s teacher candidates learn to engage in data-driven decision making and become action-oriented, culturally responsive professionals. The program deploys evidence-based practices to support and empower P-12 students and their families while developing candidates’ growth as educators.
“Congratulations to NC Wesleyan and to all of the faculty, staff, and stakeholders who have achieved their goal of national accreditation by AAQEP,” said AAQEP President and CEO Mark LaCelle-Peterson. “The University’s commitment to this program’s strength supports the deep engagement of faculty with families and communities and personalized guidance for teacher candidates.”
National accreditation assures the quality of professional preparation programs through a nongovernmental, nonregulatory process of self-study and peer review. This standards- and evidence-based process serves two broad aims: accountability and continuous improvement. The AAQEP model is also designed to honor local context and foster innovation and collaboration among institutions. AAQEP currently has members in 30 states and other jurisdictions with over 180 educator preparation providers participating in the accreditation system.
“Being accredited by AAQEP ensures our Teacher Education program candidates that they are going to receive high quality preparation as they journey into the profession. As an agency, AAQEP requires that we provide evidence that our students are prepared to work with diverse populations, external partners, and are grounded in content knowledge and education theory,” stated Dr. Kelvin Spragley, Director of Teacher Education at NC Wesleyan. “As a result of meeting these requirements, our graduates have a 100% pass rate on licensure tests and 100% job placement.”
About AAQEP
Founded in 2017, AAQEP is a membership association and quality assurance agency that provides accreditation services and formative support to all types of educator preparation providers. The organization promotes excellent, effective, and innovative educator preparation that is committed to evidence-based improvement in a collaborative professional environment. AAQEP is nationally recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Visit aaqep.org for more information.
About North Carolina Wesleyan University
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is a small, private Methodist-affiliated institution with a liberal arts-based core curriculum that prepares students for professional advancement, life-long learning and responsible participation in their communities. NCWU offers liberal arts, professional and graduate degree programs for traditional, transfer and working-adult students. The skills cultivated by faculty and built into the curriculum include critical thinking and reflection, communication, collaboration, and information technology. North Carolina Wesleyan University delivers education that is personal, practical and purpose-driven. Personal…through mentoring and the connections that are provided. Practical…by helping students develop lifelong skills. Purpose-driven…by helping them fulfill their purpose in life. With students from all over the United States and more than 40 different countries, the University has immense cultural diversity. To learn more, visit ncwu.edu and follow on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram.
