In 2027, Valdosta State University will submit its Fifth-Year Interim Report for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the recognized regional accrediting body in eleven southern U.S. states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia) and in Latin America. It offers accreditation to institutions of higher education that award associate, baccalaureate, master, and/or doctoral degrees.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, “The goal of accreditation is to ensure that education provided by institutions of higher education meets acceptable levels of quality.” Accreditation encourages public confidence in higher education; it is pivotal in keeping institutions up to date in matters of institutional effectiveness and best practices. It also allows colleges and universities to be certain that accredited institutions have complied with a common set of requirements and standards. In short, accreditation from SACSCOC means that VSU students are eligible for federal financial aid; their course credits can be accepted for transfer at other institutions; and the degrees VSU awarded are recognized as valid.

Interim Report

Every five years, VSU prepares an interim report which includes the impact report of our Quality Enhancement Plan. SACSCOC information, forms, and timelines are available at http://sacscoc.org/accrediting-standards/institution-resources/the-fifth-year-interim-report/  The Fifth-Year report consists of the following sections:

  • Signatures Attesting to Integrity

  • Institutional Summary Form Prepared for Commission Reviews

  • Fifth-Year Compliance Certification

  • Fifth-Year Follow-Up

  • Impact Report of the Quality Enhancement Plan

Abbreviated Timeline

Description of Activity

Date

Institutions receive Notification Letter from the SACSCOC President

April 27, 2026

Due date for Fifth-Year Interim Report

March 15, 2027

Review by the Committee on Fifth-Year Interim Reports

June 2027

(See the full Reaffirmation Timeline)

(See roster of Committee Members)