Accreditation

Accreditation Disclosure

Overview

Shaw University adheres to the SACSCOC policy on Institutional Obligations for Public Disclosure that states, “A candidate or accredited SACSCOC institution is obligated to provide to its students, constituents, and the public information about itself that is complete, accurate, timely, accessible, clear and sufficient.”

Shaw University’s website describes how the institution is consistent with the mission statement.

SACSCOC Policy Statement

  • Shaw University’s current catalog describes the institution consistent with the mission statement and sets forth the obligations and responsibilities of both students and the institution. Shaw University ensures the availability of archival editions sufficient to serve the needs of alumni and former and returning students.
  • All forms of print and electronic communications officially representing Shaw University are consistent with catalog content and accurately portray the conditions and opportunities available. SACSCOC Advertising and Student Recruitment policy
  • Shaw University publishes the locations and programs available at branch campuses, and other off-campus instructional locations, including those overseas operations at which students can enroll for a degree, along with a description of the programs and services available at each location.
  • Shaw University publishes statements of its goals for student achievement and the success of students in achieving those goals. Information on student success may include reliable information in retention, graduation, course completion, licensure examinations and job placement rates and other measures of student success appropriate to institutional mission.
  • Shaw University has readily available valid documentation for any statements and promises regarding such matters as program excellence, learning outcomes, success in placement, and achievements of graduates or faculty.

Requirement: ” Shaw University’s current catalog describes the institution consistent with the mission statement and sets forth the obligations and responsibilities of both students and the institution. Shaw University ensures the availability of archival editions sufficient to serve the needs of alumni and former and returning students.”

Response: Shaw University’s current catalog describe the institution consistent with its mission statement and set forth the obligations and responsibilities of both students and the institution.  The catalog informs students of expectations and includes the following information:

  • general information about the Shaw University’s mission, accreditation, and degrees offered,
  • admissions and enrollment
  • registration and re-entry
  • academic resources
  • policies and disclosures
  • programs of study and required courses,
  • course descriptions
  • graduation requirements
  • student services
  • administration and faculty rosters.

Hard copies of all old catalogs are located in the Office of the Registrar and in the main campus Library Archives Room, on the first floor of the James E. Cheek Learning Resources Center. Shaw University catalogs may also be accessed online in several locations; Most current (2014-2021) catalogs are available at https://catalog.shawu.edu/; older catalogs (1800s) are available through the Library Online Archives: Related Digital Collections; and catalogs from 1883-2011 are available at DigitalNC.

Requirement: “All forms of print and electronic communications officially representing Shaw University are consistent with catalog content and accurately portray the conditions and opportunities available.”

Response: Shaw University’s catalog serve as the official document to provide foundational content for all print and web communications. All official printed publications must be approved by the Office of Public Relations to ensure hey accurately portray conditions and opportunities at Shaw University, and that the design is consistent with the university’s branding strategy. The Shaw University’s Office of Public Relations is responsible for the development and maintenance of many university web properties including the main university website and social media. The University’s website contains detailed webpages that depict and describe Student and Academic life at Shaw University.

Requirement: Shaw University publishes the locations and programs available at branch campuses, and other off-campus instructional locations, including those overseas operations at which students can enroll for a degree, along with a description of the programs and services available at each location.”

Response: Shaw University offers selected courses and programs at off-campus instructional locations. The four off-campus instructional sites include locations at Fayetteville, Greenville, High Point, and Wilmington. Students can easily search and identify programs offered by accessing the Adult Degree Program from Shaw University’s website. Each campus instructional site has a webpage detailing programs and services available at its location. Shaw University also offers support for distance education learners. Shaw University does not operate any campuses overseas.

Requirement: “Shaw University publishes statements of its goals for student achievement and the success of students in achieving those goals. Information on student success may include reliable information in retention, graduation, course completion, licensure examinations and job placement rates and other measures of student success appropriate to institutional mission.”

Response: Shaw University monitors a variety of measures of student achievement including enrollment, retention, and degrees conferred. The Office of Strategic Planning, Institutional Research, and Effectiveness annually publishes the Shaw University Fact Sheet that contains achievement data including:

  • Headcount and FTE enrollment
  • First-year student retention rates (one-year)
  • Six-year graduation rates
  • Number of degrees conferred

Statistics in this source are revised annually and made available. Useful data on Shaw University and many other institutions of higher education is available from the National Student Clearinghouse Center.

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Requirement: “Shaw University has readily available valid documentation for any statements and promises regarding such matters as program excellence, learning outcomes, success in placement, and achievements of graduates or faculty.”

Response: Shaw University discloses and provides documentation to support statements regarding program excellence, learning outcomes, and student success. Students seeking data on achievement of student learning outcomes for a particular undergraduate or graduate program can contact an Academic Advisor, Department Head or Academic Dean. Many majors, particularly those that are recognized by specialized or professional accrediting organizations, have additional learning goals based on national standards or licensing requirements; those student achievement goals can be obtained directly from the major department or by accessing the websites of the appropriate specialized accrediting organization.