Five Dimensions of Quality (PDF)

Meet calls for increased quality and understand accreditation
expectations

Author Linda Suskie is internationally recognized for her work
in higher education assessment, and she is a former vice president
of a major regional accreditor. In Five Dimensions of Quality: A
Common Sense Guide to Accreditation and Accountability in Higher
Education she provides a simple, straightforward model for
understanding and meeting the calls for increased quality in higher
education ever-present in today's culture. Whether your institution
is seeking accreditation or not, the five dimensions she outlines
will help you to identify ways to improve institutional quality and
demonstrate that quality to constituents.

For those wading through the accreditation process, which has
become more difficult in recent years due to increasing regulation
and pressure for greater accountability, Suskie offers expert
guidance on understanding the underlying principles of the
expectations of accrediting bodies. Using the model presented here,
which is much easier to understand than the sometimes complex
resources provided by individual accrediting bodies, American
colleges and universities can understand what they need to do to
earn and maintain their regional accreditation as well as improve
overall institutional quality for their students. You'll be able
to:

* Identify ways to improve institutional quality

* Demonstrate the quality of your institution to internal and
external constituents

* Avoid wasting time and energy on misguided institutional
processes to comply with accreditation requirements

By focusing on why colleges and universities should take
particular actions rather than only on what those actions should
be, Five Dimensions of Quality gives them the knowledge and
strategies to prepare for a successful review. It is an ideal
resource for leaders, accreditation committee members, and everyone
on campus.