Accreditation
Accreditation is the process that Norfolk State University, including other institutions of higher education, undergoes to confirm it meets the most rigorous and strictest educational standards. Accreditation is earned through accrediting organizations that are private, nongovernmental organizations created specifically to review higher education institutions and programs. These accreditors are held to high quality standards and are reviewed for quality by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the United States Department of Education (USDE).
Purpose
The purpose of accreditation is to create a set of standards for all institutions of higher education to be held to while also encouraging colleges and universities to be the best they can be. Consequently, accreditation aims to ensure accountability of higher education institutions and degree programs in order to build public trust and confidence. When an institution or degree program is properly accredited, students are able to gauge the institution’s overall quality without conducting a detailed analysis on their own.
What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a voluntary, nongovernmental process that includes a rigorous external review of a college or university’s ability to provide the highest quality programs. The accreditation process is a comprehensive review of a school’s mission, faculty qualifications, and curricula, and the process includes self-evaluations, peer-reviews, committee reviews, and the development of in-depth strategic plans. Accreditation ensures that students are learning material most relevant to their field of study, preparing them to be effective leaders upon graduation.
NSU's Accreditation Status
The official statement on Norfolk State University's institutional accreditation status as required by Principle 14.1, Principles of Accreditation, (2018) of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges is as follows:
Norfolk State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctorate degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Norfolk State University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, by calling (404)-679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's website (www.sacscoc.org).
Point of Contact
Dr. Shantya V. Plater
Accreditation Specialist
Office of Academic Effectiveness
757-278-4604
svplater@nsu.edu