About institutional accreditation
Process
UAF Institutional Accreditation was renewed in February of 2021 on the basis of its fall 2020 evaluation, and begins a new seven-year cycle.
Accreditation One-Page Overview
Seven-Year Cycle Reporting
The Mid-Cycle Evaluation, in the third year of the cycle, is intended to ascertain an institution’s readiness to provide outcomes and evidence (outcomes) of mission fulfillment in the Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness which will occur in the Year Seven. It is to assist institutions in determining if the process of outcomes assessment will lead them to a successful Year Seven 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 Policies, Regulations and Financial Review evaluates the institution under NWCCU's eligibility requirements, standards, and policies, as well as federal regulations. The process is designed to prompt conversation on institutional capacity and infrastructure, strengths, weaknesses, priorities, and plans for ensuring compliance with accreditation Standard Two, as well as student learning, student success, institutional effectiveness, and institutional improvement.
The Year Seven Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness includes a comprehensive self-evaluation and external review of all accreditation standards.
The accreditation of UAF was reaffirmed in spring of 2021 on the basis of our fall 2020 report and site visit.
The next Mid Cycle Report will be due in fall 2023.
The Year Seven Report will be due in fall 2027.
Standards and guidelines
Standards
Guidelines
| Year | AY | Accreditation Reports | Standards Included in the Report |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 2020-2021 | Year Seven Report Due August 2020-Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness **site visit | All standards |
| 1 | 2021-2022 | ||
| 2 | 2022-2023 | ||
| 3 | 2023-2024 | Mid-Cycle Evaluation Report Due **site visit | |
| 4 | 2024-2025 | ||
| 5 | 2025-2026 | ||
| 6 | 2026-2027 | Year Six Report Due-Policies, Regulations and Financial Review | Standard two |
| 7 | 2027-2028 | Year Seven Report Due-Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness **site visit | All standards |
| Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) Accreditation Standards | |||
| Standard One: Student Success and Institutional Mission and Effectiveness | |||
| Standard Two: Governance, Resources and Capacity | |||
2006 UAF Institutional Accreditation Interim Report
- 2005 Interim Report
- UAF Regular Interim Evaluation Report October 4-5, 2006
- NWCCU 2007 Accreditation Reaffirmation Letter
2001 UAF Institutional Accreditation
- 2001 UAF Institutional Accreditation Self-Study
- Introduction and Executive Summary
- Standard 1 - Institutional Mission and Goals, Planning and Effectiveness
- Standard 2 - Educational Program and its Effectiveness
- Standard 3 - Students
- Standard 4 - Faculty
- Standard 5 - Library and Information Resources
- Standard 6 - Governance and Administration
- Standard 7 - Finance
- Standard 8 - Physical Resources
- Standard 9 - Institutional Integrity
- Appendix 10 - Appendix
- NWCCU 2001 Accreditation Reaffirmation Letter
- Executive Summary - Results of UAF's Self-Study and Site Visit
- NWCCU 2004 Progress Report Acceptance Letter
FAQs
Accreditation is a voluntary process of self regulation and peer review adopted by the higher education community. In the United States this recognition is extended largely through nongovernmental, voluntary professional associations that have responsibility for establishing criteria, evaluating institutions against the criteria, and approving institutions that meet the criteria. Accreditation is an affirmation that a college provides a quality of education that the general public has the right to expect and that the educational community recognizes.
In American higher education, accreditation fulfills a number of important functions, including the encouragement of efforts toward maximum educational effectiveness. In addition:
- Since accreditation is reviewed periodically, institutions are encouraged toward continued self-study and improvement.
- State and federal government agencies often require the accreditation of an institution in making financial aid monies, grants and other funds available to both the institution and the students who attend it.
- Accreditation can aid in the transfer of collegiate credit, although there are various kinds of institutions and accreditation, and transfer of credit between institutions is not automatic.
- Employers may value degrees from accredited universities more highly compared to those from non-accredited universities, since accreditation gives some assurance of the quality of the education obtained.
Note: This statement is pursuant to NWCCU requirements on disclosure of accreditation status.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation.
Accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.
Inquiries regarding an institution’s accredited status by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution. Individuals may also contact:
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
8060 165th Avenue N.E., Suite 100
Redmond, WA 98052
425-558-4224
Visit their website
As stated above, institutional accreditation applies to the institution as a whole and does not guarantee any individual degree or program within the institution. When available, individual programs may seek specialized accreditation, which evaluates programs based on discipline- or profession-based standards. Students who complete an accredited curriculum enjoy additional confidence that experts in that field have evaluated the program and testified to its quality. Program accreditation may also enable students to more easily obtain professional certifications or registration in their field.
For a list of specialized accreditation, certifications and standards held by UAF programs visit "Specialized accreditation".
NWCCU has a policy addressing complaints against member institutions. If appropriate and in compliance with the policy, such communications should be addressed to:
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
8060 165th Avenue N.E., Suite 100
Redmond, WA 98052
425-558-4224