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Frequently Asked Questions

What is NCA Accreditation?

NCA Accreditation is a process whereby a higher education institution engages in comprehensive self-study. The self-study process involves applying quality indicators developed specifically for higher education institutions to help them evaluate their strengths and challenges. John A. Logan College is proud of its long and rich history with NCA Accreditation. Yet, this history does not mean that we can take our accreditation status for granted.

Why is accreditation important?

Accreditation has two fundamental purposes: a commitment to quality assurance and ongoing institutional and program improvement. The status of accreditation also means:

  • excellence in education
  • high quality
  • commitment to standards
  • accountability

What is the self–study process?

The self-study process typically takes two years to complete. It requires a strong self-evaluation by the institution that results in a report submitted to the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the NCA. At the end of the process, a team of peer reviewers from different institutions across the nation will conduct a three-day visit on our campus. They will evaluate and affirm the quality of our institution, using the NCA criteria as the foundation for their evaluation. The peer reviewers will provide information intended to help improve the quality of our education and services.

What approach is JALC taking to complete our self–study?

To ensure that our self-study is comprehensive and includes all voices on campus, a committee structure was developed to address different core components of the NCA Criteria for Accreditation. Committee members include faculty, students, staff, and administrators from all units on campus. Community members and alumni were also invited to participate.

Committees will conduct in-depth research and data collection on specific core components in their area. A draft report from each committee will be submitted to the campus community for additional review and comment. After campus review, a final report will be submitted to the NCA co-chairs, who will then draft our self-study report. The drafts will be available to the campus community for input prior to final revisions at www.stcloudstate.edu/nca. The final report will be submitted to the HLC 60 days before the campus visit.

What are the goals for our self–study?

The NCA Self-Study will:

  • Reflect the university’s mission and planning process and provide a clear direction for the future of the university (for example, Strategic Planning, Technology Master Plan, Facilities Master Plan).
  • Improve the collection, analysis, and use of data in university decision-making.
  • Make assessment part of the university culture.
  • Support efforts to revise and improve the General Education Program.
  • Engage the university in substantive discussion about the process and results of the self-study.
  • Define and articulate the ways in which the university is a leading institution in the Midwest.