Accreditation
The University of Louisville is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, bachelor, master, specialist, doctoral, and first-professional degrees (D.M.D., J.D., M.D.). Individuals who wish to contact the Commission on Colleges regarding the accreditation status of the university may write the Commission at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, or call (404) 679-4500.
The university received reaffirmation of accreditation in 2007. The next review will take place in 2017.
Quality Enhancement Plan
The SACS Principles of Accreditation require each university to develop a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). SACS describes the QEP as an “opportunity and an impetus for the institution to enhance overall institutional quality and effectiveness by focusing on an issue or issues the institution considers important to improving student learning.” SACS adds that the QEP should complement the institution’s ongoing integrated institution-wide planning and evaluation process. Also, it is expected a QEP that addresses student learning will require a significant commitment from the entire university community.
Ideas to Action: Using Critical Thinking to Foster Student Learning and Community Engagement
The U of L plan, Ideas to Action (i2a), will sharpen the existing focus on building undergraduate students' critical thinking skills, starting in the general education program and continuing through undergraduate major courses. Students will be required to demonstrate their critical-thinking skills in a culminating experience, such as a thesis, service learning project, internship or capstone project.
i2a is a multi-year year effort to promote meaningful transformation of undergraduate programs, and build infrastructure to sustain these innovations. SACS will monitor our progress through a five-year follow-up report due in 2013. For more information, please see the i2a website: http://louisville.edu/ideastoaction
