
SACSCOC Reaffirmation
Clark Atlanta University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the baccalaureate, masters, specialist, and doctorate degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Clark Atlanta 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).
Welcome
Welcome to Clark Atlanta University University’s SACSCOC reaffirmation website. Reaffirmation of accreditation is an essential multiyear process that involves each unit of the university to review itself and its processes against the SACSCOC Principles of Accreditation with ethical integrity and showcase our commitment to our core mission of instruction, research and service. It is our institutional report card as well as our opportunity to discover how we can improve through honest assessment of our programs, services and processes. This systematic self-study and review required by SACSCOC ensures that CAU continues to enhance its educational quality.
It is important for the entire campus to approach the reaffirmation process as a high priority. Our success depends on the collective dedication to this important endeavor in time, effort and resources. I thank those involved in both large and small ways, and I look forward to working together as we move forward to ensure that CAU will continue to be an outstanding university.
Lauren V. Lopez, Ph.D.
Vice President, Office of Planning, Accreditation and Institutional Research/SACSCOC Institutional Accreditation Liaison
Purpose of this Web Site
The purpose of this website is to help CAU faculty, staff, students, and administrators understand the requirements of accreditation so that we can respond effectively for reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in 2026. In order to keep you abreast of our efforts this site will be updated on a regular basis with important resources and information related to the SACSCOC reaffirmation process.
For questions or inquiries about the SACSCOC reaffirmation process, please contact:
Dr. Lauren V. Lopez, Vice President of Planning, Accreditation, and Institutional Research/SACSCOC Institutional Accreditation Liaison, Ext. 8061
Dr. Calvin L. Brown, Sr. Associate Provost and Chief of Staff for Academic Affairs, Ext. 6042
Changes since the last Reaffirmation
The reaffirmation process has changed since our 2016 SACSCOC visit. Since then, particularly with the adoption of the 2024 edition of the Principles pf Accreditation, the reaffirmation process has continued to shift toward a more integrated and outcomes-driven approach. Key updates include:
- Stronger emphasis on equity and student success, with institutions expected to demonstrate how they support diverse student populations and close equity gaps.
- Greater alignment between strategic planning, budgeting and assessment, reinforcing the importance of data-informed decision-making.
- Increased expectation for transparency and accountability, particularly in how institutions us data to evaluate effectiveness and communicate results.
- Refined and clarified standards, reducing redundancy and improving clarity to support more consistent interpretation and application across institutions.
These changes reflect SACSCOC’s ongoing commitment to fostering institutional quality and effectiveness through a more holistic and mission-driven framework.
