Accreditation
Accreditation is a process of validation in which colleges, universities and other institutions of higher learning are evaluated. Accreditation is a measure of quality and a demonstration of OHSU's commitment to continuous improvement. A successful evaluation is important for ensuring OHSU can continue offering the specialized programs it's known for, federal financial aid for students and a desirable place for students to transfer to.
OHSU maintains continuous accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The standards for accreditation are set by a peer review board whose members include faculty from various accredited colleges and universities. See OHSU's specialized accreditations by program.
OHSU is evaluated by the NWCCU at several points over a seven-year period:
Year One Self-Evaluation Report
- Report addresses Mission and Core Themes
- No visit by reviewers
Mid-Cycle Report and Addendum
- Submitted in year three
- Self-Evaluation Report focuses on how OHSU assesses student learning
- Reviewers visit OHSU
- Purpose is to determine readiness for Year Seven
Year Seven Self-evaluation Report
- OHSU submits self-study report that includes content and supporting documentation that examines how it meets five accreditation standards
- NWCCU evaluates OHSU against standards and identifies areas of strength and weakness
- Includes visit from seven to nine NWCCU evaluators
Recent and upcoming activity
January 2016: OHSU's accreditation reaffirmed by NWCCU
September 2016: OHSU submits Year One Self-Evaluation Report
September 2018: OHSU submits Mid-Cycle Self-Evaluation Report and Addendum
October 2018: Small team of NWCCU evaluators to visit OHSU
January 2019: NWCCU acknowledges OHSU's Mid-Cycle Report
Commendations from the commission
In its reaffirmation of accreditation in 2016, the commission gave OHSU three commendations:
- OHSU's contributions in health care and health sciences to the state of Oregon and beyond.
- OHSU's faculty and administrators for their efforts and commitment to the development of Interprofessional Education across the institution, including rural sites.
- OHSU's faculty for a culture of collaboration for research and education and the university as a whole for partnerships with other institutions, industries, and rural communities.