The Office of Assessment and Accreditation ensures that the University complies with all regional and national accreditation requirements and promotes a robust assessment process. Christopher Newport is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award degrees at the baccalaureate and master’s degree levels.
The Office of Assessment and Accreditation serves to assure university stakeholders (e.g., students, faculty, employers of alumni, other schools to which transfer students or graduates apply) and the public of the quality and integrity of higher education institutions. In order for a college or university to achieve and maintain accreditation through SACSCOC, a recognized institutional accreditor by the Department of Education, the institution must undergo a rigorous multi-year review process during which all aspects of its functioning are evaluated in accordance with a comprehensive set of standards.
The Office of Assessment and Accreditation manages assessment and accreditation in support of the University’s mission through continuous improvement of processes and services and supports regular program review and improvement efforts. All coursework at Christopher Newport, whether in the Liberal Learning Core, in the major, in elective courses, or courses in a minor, seeks to introduce, reinforce, and advance student aptitude in these primary capacities:
- Knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural world
- Intellectual and practical skills
- Personal and social responsibility
- Integrative learning
Our mission is to aid faculty and unit administrators in the continuous development of these capacities through ongoing data-driven initiatives. We aspire to bolster a culture of empirical-based decision making and continuous educational improvement. To that end, we advise faculty and administrators on all aspects of the assessment process from writing student learning outcomes and/or key performance indicators to implementing results. We seek not only to support instructors and administrators with their navigation of the assessment and accreditation process, but also aim to enable them to leverage the process to build a more robust institution.