About QEP

What is a QEP?

The Quality Enhancement Plan is a component of the reaffirmation of accreditation process. Each institution that is reaffirming its accreditation is required to develop a five-year plan to improve student learning or the learning environment in a specific measurable way. It is essential that the QEP have broad-based college input in the selection of the topic and be accepted by the college community as having important value for enhancing student learning.

Does the QEP have to be an entirely new plan?

No. The plan could be an improvement on something we already do well. The topic can be anything we choose as long as the QEP can enhance student learning, is meaningful to the TWU learning community, has measurable learning outcomes, is affordable for the college to carry out, and is the result of a process that includes the entire college community. Then the topic can be anything we choose.

Does the QEP have to affect every student?

No, not necessarily, but it should be extensive enough to impact a large percentage of our students over time.

When does the QEP need to be ready?

The QEP is submitted to SACS no later than six weeks prior to the on-site committee visit to TWU which is scheduled April 8-12, 2013. TWU should have a completed QEP submitted to SACS no later than February 25, 2013.

What kinds of QEPs have other schools chosen?

Many schools have selected QEPs that focus on enhancing specific skills for their students, including writing, reading, communications, information literacy, mathematics, or research. Others have chosen student experience-based topics, such as improving work-study programs, internships, community engagement, global perspectives or teaching collaboration or problem-solving strategies. Some have chosen topics dealing with general student welfare, such as advising, retention, freshman orientation, learning communities, mentoring, or online instruction.

How did TWU select our QEP?

TWU’s QEP process began with a selection committee in Spring 2011. The committee initiated a call for proposals, selected proposals for further development, and shared the proposals with the university community. The committee recommended Pioneering Pathways: Learn by Doing, which was approved by the SACS Steering Committee and the Chancellor in Fall 2011 and the Board of Regents in Spring 2012.