Assurance Process

To be reaffirmed for accreditation, Miami University must undergo two processes: an assurance and an improvement process.

The assurance process requires the creation of an Assurance Argument that makes the case that the institution meets the criteria for accreditation. It also mandates the ongoing accumulation of electronically stored information or evidence which supports the claims made in the Assurance Argument.

Criteria are broad statements which are applied to seek evidence of continual improvement, aspiration and best practices. Each criterion includes core components which identify particular and relevant areas of concern.

Five key criteria for accreditation

Criteria #1: The Institution's mission is clear and articulated publicly; it guides the institution's operations.

Criteria #2: The institution acts with integrity; its conduct is ethical and responsible.

Criteria #3: The institution provides high quality education, wherever and however its offerings are delivered.

Criteria #4: The institution demonstrates responsibility for the quality of its educational programs, learning environments, and support services, and it evaluates their effectiveness through processes designed to promote continuous improvement.

Criteria #5: The institution's resources, structures, and processes are sufficient to fulfill its mission, improve the quality of its educational offerings, and respond to future challenges and opportunities. The institution plans for the future.

In addition to the argument (which is composed of short narratives focusing on each of the criteria and the core components of the criteria), Miami must demonstrate compliance with a number of federal regulations. The federal compliance portion of accreditation is generally submitted at the same time as the Assurance Argument. Topics addressed in the federal compliance filing include responsible addressing of student complaints, Title IV compliance, verification of student identify, fair and transparent transfer policies and procedures, honest marketing materials, and student outcome data.

Miami must also submit a Multi-Campus Report as part of the Assurance process. This report, which is created in collaboration with regional campuses leadership, describes the accreditation-related differences between the Oxford and regional campuses.