Accreditation at Ohio University

While individual programs within the University often have their own external accreditation bodies and must meet those standards, Ohio University as a whole is accreditated by the Higher Learning Commission a regional accrediting body within the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.  In July of 2002, Ohio University began participation in a relatively new accreditation program developed by the Higher Learning Commission.  This program, the Academic Quality Improvement Program or AQIP, provides an alternative process for well-established institutions to maintain their accreditation. As described by NCA, AQIP "infuses the principles and benefits of continuous improvement into the culture of colleges and universities by providing an alternative process through which an already-accredited institution can maintain its accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. With AQIP, an institution demonstrates it meets accreditation standards and expectations through sequences of events that align with those ongoing activities that characterize organizations striving to improve their performance."

In academic year 2002-2003, Ohio University chose four AQIP action projects that reflected the University's goals.  Three of these action projects have, as of February 2006, been completed, absorbed into the University culture, or discontinued.  Two new action projects were chosen based on input provided by the University community and Vision OHIO, the University's academic plan.

The University provides annual updates to NCA/AQIP on the progress of its action projects.

Every four years, institutions participating in AQIP are required to submit a Systems Portfolio. Ohio University's document was submitted in November of 2005. In this document the University describes the systems and processes it uses to achieve its goals and outcomes in performance it achieves through them.  NCA is currently performing an appraisal of Ohio University's Systems Portfolio.  This appriasal is intended to provide the University with a report that can be used to create strategies and actions to be used toward achieving its goals.

Under AQIP, formal reaffirmation of accreditation takes place every seven years.

For more information, click here to go to Ohio University's AQIP website.