Self-study report signals Jan. 8-10 site visit

Accreditation facts What is accreditation? Accreditation is formal recognition of the quality of an educational program or institution. Institutional accreditation, granted by the Higher Learning Commission, results from an evaluation of the entire institution. Why is institutional accreditation important? Institutional accreditation from the HLC demonstrates that an institution meets nationally-recognized standards of quality. Employers and other educational institutions respect credits and degrees earned at an accredited institution. Accreditation facilitates transferability of coursework and provides access to student financial aid and certain other federal funding opportunities. Accreditation is absolutely essential. What is UNMC’s mission? UNMC’s mission is to improve the health of Nebraska through premier educational programs, innovative research, the highest quality patient care, and outreach to underserved populations. Where can I learn more about UNMC’s reaccreditation process? Visit the reaccreditation Web site at www.unmc.edu/nca.

The 227-page self-study report, recently completed for reaccreditation purposes, tells the story of contemporary UNMC.

It doesn’t tell the thousands of hours spent preparing for the Jan. 8-10 site visit, or the critical importance of the January meetings.

“Completion of the self-study report is a signal of the reality of the Jan. 8-10 site visit,” said John Benson, M.D., professor of internal medicine who is coordinating UNMC’s reaccreditation efforts. “The report narrates the story of UNMC, as framed by the accreditation criteria.”

Titled “Building a World-Renowned Health Science Center,” the report is one component of UNMC’s preparation for reaccreditation by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The report — produced over the past 20 months by a team of more than 100 people — is available online at www.unmc.edu/nca.

UNMC’s reaccreditation will be judged on five new criteria and 21 “core components.” Generally, the criteria — outlined in separate self-study chapters — involve UNMC’s mission and integrity in carrying out its mission; its focus on the future; its student learning and effective teaching; its research enterprise; and its community service. A final chapter documents UNMC’s distance education programs and seeks authority to expand them.

Inside the report, readers get a glimpse into UNMC’s academic offerings, as well as how its educational, research, clinical and outreach activities benefit Nebraska and advance UNMC’s mission. The report also outlines UNMC’s strengths, challenges and opportunities in fulfilling its mission. The final chapter seeks authorization for the continuing provision of distance education to satisfy in part, completion of certain degrees. The entire UNMC community – students, faculty and staff – is encouraged to review the report, particularly areas that affect them and their unit.

“In addition to reaccreditation, the report, will serve UNMC’s own needs for self-improvement,” Dr. Benson said. The process already has strengthened well-established strategic planning, expanded centralized institutional data sets and broadened the medical center’s understanding of itself, he said.

Reaccreditation is essential to UNMC’s mission of improving the health of Nebraska through premier educational programs, innovative research, the highest quality patient care and outreach to underserved populations.

“UNMC-wide reaccreditation is critical to our mission and to our future,” Dr. Benson said.