CPHE Accreditation
Dear Colleagues,
Over the past several weeks, Provost Troyer has met with faculty from each college to hear questions and perspectives about UNC Charlotte’s consideration of accelerated accreditation through the Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE). We appreciate those who participated and shared thoughtful feedback. We also appreciate the work of the Ad Hoc Faculty Advisory Committee on Accreditation members, who engaged in this process and provided additional faculty perspective, and the work of the Office of Assessment and Accreditation, which determined the viability of an accelerated accreditation process.
Following those conversations and additional review, we have decided to move forward in pursuing accelerated accreditation through CPHE.
As Provost Troyer shared previously, seeking accelerated accreditation allows UNC Charlotte to repurpose a substantial portion of our most recent accreditation report submitted to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), with some updated data. This approach allows the University to make efficient use of work already completed through our most recent SACSCOC review while establishing a new 10-year accreditation cycle if accreditation is granted.
The timing also provides an important opportunity for the University. As previously shared, changes to national accreditation standards are anticipated following the U.S. Department of Education’s negotiated rulemaking process earlier this year. Those new requirements are expected to take effect July 1, 2027, and would apply to accreditation reviews and mid-cycle reviews conducted after that date, regardless of the accrediting organization. Moving forward on an accelerated timeline allows UNC Charlotte to complete its CPHE review prior to July 1, 2027, under the current standards. The University anticipates a campus visit from CPHE in March 2027 and, if accreditation is granted, expects to receive CPHE accreditation by June 2027.
Our current accreditation remains unchanged. UNC Charlotte continues to be fully accredited by SACSCOC and will remain so throughout this process. The University will formally request a change in accreditors once CPHE becomes a recognized accreditor, which is expected in late 2027 or early 2028.
We will continue to keep the University community informed as the process progresses. In the meantime, you can review the CPHE FAQs or reach out to the Provost’s Office directly if you have any questions.
Thank you for all that you do for UNC Charlotte and our academic mission.
Sincerely,
Sharon L. Gaber
Chancellor
Jennifer Troyer
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs