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This wiki was requested by Michaela Murphy at South Puget Sound Community College to create a space for organizing materials relevant to the accreditation process at the college. Any questions about this wiki should be directed to Rick McKinnon, eLearning Coordinator at SPSCC (rmckinnon@spscc.ctc.edu).

For those who are wondering about how to use a wiki, go [|here.]

NOTE: A template for the final document is located at http://inside.spscc.ctc.edu/President/desk_files/Accreditation/index.html. Our editor will need to use this template to put double columns and graphs/illustrations in upon editing.

 The accreditation process requires institutions to examine their own goals, operations and achievements through a comprehensive self-study. While each institution is unique, these institutional goals and operations are to be consistent with the eligibility standards for accreditation as outlined by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. South Puget Sound Community College was last accredited in 2000. The next decennial visit is scheduled for October 2010. The NWCCU Accreditation Handbook (2003 edition) states: "Accreditation is a process of recognizing educational institutions for performance, integrity, and quality that entitles them to the confidence of the educational community and the public. In the United States this recognition is extended largely through nongovernmental, voluntary institutional or professional associations that have responsibility for establishing criteria, visiting and evaluating institutions at their requests, and approving those institutions and programs that meet their criteria." Institutional self-study is the most significant part of the accreditation process. It must be comprehensive, encompass the entire institution, and address the Commission's accreditation criteria and be viewed as an ongoing process to understand, evaluate, and improve quality and effectiveness by: • analyzing institutional resources and effectiveness in fulfilling its mission; • demonstrating that student achievement is commensurate with the certificates, diplomas, degrees, or other recognition awarded; • appraising the relationship of all the institution's activities to its purposes; • providing a sound basis for institutional planning and improvement; • assessing educational achievements as well as structures and processes; • assessing student achievement with respect to programs and services offered to accomplish educational purposes; and • assessing performance in achieving institutional mission and goals.
 * Accreditation Overview**