Accreditation & Compliance
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Winston-Salem State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Winston-Salem State University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Winston-Salem State University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
| Task | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Reaffirmation | 2021 |
| 5th-Year Interim Report | March 16, 2026 |
| Next Reaffirmation | 2030 |
- Board of Trustees - Academic Affairs - SACSCOC Compliance Certification and Review - June 13, 2019
- Board of Trustees - Academic Affairs - SACSCOC Compliance Certification and Review - September 19 , 2019
- Preparing for SACSCOC Compliance Report
- SACSCOC Update - December 2019
What is a Quality Enhancement Plan?
“The Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is an integral component of the reaffirmation of accreditation process and is derived from an institution’s ongoing comprehensive planning and evaluation processes. It reflects and affirms a commitment to enhance overall institutional quality and effectiveness by focusing on an issue the institution considers important to improving student learning outcomes and/or student success.”Standard 7.2 The institution has a Quality Enhancement Plan that
- has a topic identified through its ongoing, comprehensive planning and evaluation processes;
- has broad-based support of institutional constituencies;
- focuses on improving specific student learning outcomes and/or student success;
- commits resources to initiate, implement, and complete the QEP; and
- includes a plan to assess achievement.
QEP Presentations
For specifics on departmental accreditations and certifications please visit the desired program.
- Council on Accreditation of Park, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT)
COAPRT is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Association (CHEA) - Council on Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- ABET
- Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
- National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA-ERP)
- Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
- Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
- The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Guidance for Institutions
As institutions begin the 2021-22 academic year and manage the ongoing consequences of the pandemic, SACSCOC is providing the following guidance as it relates to SACSCOC accreditation. Because the pandemic is rapidly changing, this guidance is subject to change when necessary. If our guidance changes, updates will be emailed to institutional CEOs and Accreditation Liaisons and made available on the SACSCOC website’s Coronavirus and the Commission web page. This information is also accessible by link at the bottom of the SACSCOC homepage.
Temporary Emergency Relocation of Instruction
- If an institution begins a term by a method of delivery (e.g., distance education) as a response to the pandemic and intends to return to the customary method of delivery (e.g., face-to-face) when the pandemic subsides, then no action with SACSCOC is required.
- If an institution changes the method of delivery after a term begins (e.g., starts face-to-face and moves to distance education) as a response to the pandemic, then no action with SACSCOC is required at this time. However, if we later determine there are any actions an institution must take with SACSCOC, we will provide further guidance at that time. Because the situation is fluid, we’re trying to avoid creating unnecessary or multiple obligations for an institution.
Waiver of Distance Education Approval
Last year, for institutions not already approved to offer programs by distance education, the U.S. Department of Education allowed SACSCOC to offer temporary approval waivers upon request. As a result of the untimely response of the Department to extend the waiver, institutions not approved for distance education were required to submit a prospectus for distance learning approval if distance education was expected to continue after December 31, 2020. Institutions were informed of their obligation to secure distance education approval; therefore, no additional waivers will be granted.
Academic Calendar Changes
An institution changing its academic calendar as a response to the pandemic is reminded of its obligations, without exception, to the Principles of Accreditation and policies. If an institution must change its academic calendar, institutions are asked to inform SACSCOC President Belle Wheelan by email at bwheelan@sacscoc.org. Until and unless individual responses are warranted, receipt will be acknowledged by SACSCOC by email and no other written response will be provided.
WSSU CARES Act Student Support Funding Reporting
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An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
April 13, 2020 Winston-Salem State signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement documentation of the institution's intent to receive funds under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
April 27, 2020 Winston-Salem State was awarded funds (Award#: P425E202077) under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. -
The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution's Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
A total of $15,433,654 has been received [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. A total of $9,315,674 was received 05/14/2021. A total of $4,657,790 was disbursed to student October 14, 2021 and a total of $4,785,160 was disbursed January 28th 2022.
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The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).
As of May 5, 2022 a total of $9,442,950 has been distributed.
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The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
A total of 4,817 students were eligible to participate under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 in Fall 2021, and 5,305 students were eligible to participate under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 in Spring 2022.
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The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
In distribution one, 4,817 students received emergency funds; in distribution two 5,305 students received additional funding under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
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The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
All registered full-time students are eligible for Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. Winston-Salem State used two distributions whereby the total amount was divided by two payments, over two semesters, and distributed equally to student. Distribution one students received an award of $878 for “Disruption of Life” [or “Displacement Reimbursement”]. Distribution two students received an award of $993.39.
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Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
All instructions, directions, and guidance for students regarding Emergency Financial Aid Grants, and additional available institutional supports are located on the RAM Re-Connect pages.
WSSU CARES Act Student Support - Spring 2021 Report - downloadable
- An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
- The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
A total of $3,058,990 has been received [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
- The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).
As of the 30-day report (May 27, 2020) a total of $2,164,575.00. As of the 45-day report (June 11, 2020) an anticipated $3,058,990 was distributed. As of fall 2020 quarterly report (October 10, 2020) all $3,058,990 has been expended to students.
- The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
An estimated 2,945 students are eligible to participate under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
- The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
In wave one, 2,945 students received emergency funds; in wave two 1,937 of those students received additional funding under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act
- The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
All Title IV eligible students are eligible for Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. Winston-Salem State used a two wave distribution method by which the first wave of students, totaling 2,945, received an award of $735 for “Disruption of Life” [or “Displacement Reimbursement”] during the Extended Spring Break period. The second wave, totaling 1934, completed an online application documenting their “Unplanned Expenses” resulting from COVID-19 between Monday, March 22nd (first day of online instruction) to Friday, May 8th (final exam date to end the spring 2020 term), and received an award of $462.47.
- Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
All instructions, directions, and guidance for students regarding Emergency Financial Aid Grants, and additional available institutional supports are located on the RAM Re-Connect pages
WSSU CARES Act Student Support - Fall 2020 Report - downloadable
- An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide.
April 13, 2020 Winston-Salem State signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement documentation of the institution’s intent to receive funds under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
April 27, 2020 Winston-Salem State was awarded funds (Award#: P425E202077) under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
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The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
A total of $3,058,990 has been received [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
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The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).
As of the 30-day report (May 27, 2020) a total of $2,164,575.00, as of the 45-day report (June 11, 2020) an anticipated $3,058,990 will have been distributed.
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The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
An estimated 2,945 students are eligible to participate under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
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The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
In wave one, 2,945 students received emergency funds; in wave two 1,934 of those students received additional funding under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act
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The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
All Title IV eligible students are eligible for Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. Winston-Salem State used a two wave distribution method by which the first wave of students, totaling 2,945, received an award of $735 for “Disruption of Life” [or “Displacement Reimbursement”] during the Extended Spring Break Spring 2020 Reporting for WSSU CARES Act Student Support Funding (84.425E) period. The second wave, totaling 1934, completed an online application documenting their “Unplanned Expenses” resulting from COVID-19 between Monday, March 22nd (first day of online instruction) to Friday, May 8th (final exam date to end the spring 2020 term), and received an award of $462.47.
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Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
All instructions, directions, and guidance for students regarding Emergency Financial Aid Grants, and additional available institutional supports are located at the following main page: Coronavirus (COVID-19). This page is updated regularly.
WSSU CARES Act Student Support - Spring 2020 Report - downloadable
WSSU CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion 18004(a)(2).
- June 30, 2020 CARES HEERF quarterly report
- September 30, 2020 CARES HEERF quarterly report
- December 31, 2020 CARES HEERF quarterly report
- March 31, 2021 CARES HEERF quarterly report
- June 30, 2021 CARES HEERF quarterly report
- September 30, 2021 CARES HEERF quarterly report
- December 31, 2021 CARES HEERF quarterly report
- March 31, 2022 CARES HEERF quarterly report
- June 30, 2022 CARES HEERF quarterly report
- September 30, 2022 HEERF quarterly report
- December 31, 2022 CARES HEERF quarterly report
