Maintaining our accreditation

The North Central Association

The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools was founded in 1895 for the purpose of establishing close relations between the colleges and secondary schools of the 19-state region (Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming). In concert with the North Central Association, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accredits degree-granting organizations of higher education and is legally empowered to conduct accrediting activities for educational organizations.

Message from the provost

Dear DMU community,

DMU has recently completed its self study process in preparation for our upcoming site visit by the Higher Learning Commission.  The 24-month self study process allowed us to take an analytical, reflective look at how we function as a university.  As part of the accreditation process, six peer reviewers will be visiting the DMU campus for three days, January 30 – February 1, 2012.  The self study process required the intensive work of over 50 DMU faculty and staff members to create the resulting self study document.   I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the members of the HLC steering committee, who served as co-chairs of various criteria, as well as the individuals that worked with the co-chairs on the criteria sub-committees.  Those individuals are listed below.  Please  thank them when you see them.  Thanks also to Cecelia Munzenmaier, our self study compilation writer.  Her initiative, perspective, attention to detail as well as positive, up-beat energy kept us moving forward even when we bogged down and stalled.  We often forget the people behind the scenes.  Many thanks to Julie Probst in Marketing and Communication who did a phenomenal job on lay-out.  Her use of color and photos made the document so much easier to read and navigate.

In preparation for this visit, I invite all of the DMU community – board members, faculty, staff, students, alumni and members of the greater Des Moines community – to read the DMU self study.

Together we will continue on the path toward health and excellence.

Karen McLean, Ph.D., provost

Call for third party comment

Des Moines University is seeking comments from its alumni and the public about the University in preparation for its periodic evaluation by its regional accrediting agency. DMU will host a visit January 30 – February 1, 2012, with a team representing the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.

“Des Moines University has been very deliberate and reflective in this self-study process which has allowed us to document our greatest strengths and accomplishments while acknowledging areas of challenge which need to be improved,” said Dr. Angela Walker Franklin, president of Des Moines University. “Our own findings from this self-study along with the thoughtful feedback we hope to receive from the consultant/evaluator team of higher education leaders assembled by the Higher Learning Commission will provide a foundation upon which we can build a clearer vision and direction for the future.”

DMU has been accredited by the Commission since 1986. The team will review the institutionʼs ongoing ability to meet the Commissionʼs Criteria for Accreditation.

The public is invited to submit comments regarding the University:

Public Comment on Des Moines University
The Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411

Alumni and the public may also submit comments on the Commissionʼs website.

Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution or its academic programs. Comments must be in writing.

All comments must be received by December 31, 2011.

Resources

• Executive Summary
• Complete Self-Study
• Introduction
• Criterion 1
• Criterion 2
• Criterion 3
• Criterion 4
• Criterion 5
• Lessons Learned

Steering committee

Andrew Brittingham, Ph.D., Traci Bush, P.T., OTR/L, DHS, Jodi Cahalan, Ph.D., M.P.H. PA-C, Craig Canby, Ph.D., Cheryl Dahms, Donald Matz, Ph.D., Karen McLean, Ph.D., Luke Mortensen, Ph.D., FAHA, EMT, Mark Peiffer, CPA, Tim Steele, Ph.D., MT (ASCP) and Robert Yoho, D.P.M., FACFAS.

Criteria

Criterion 1 — Mission and integrity. The organization operates with integrity to ensure the fulfillment of its mission through structures and processes that involve the board, administration, faculty, staff, and students.

Committee members: Tim Steele, Ph.D., MT (ASCP) and Robert Yoho, D.P.M., FACFAS (co-chairs),  C. Arthur Wittmack,  Kendall Dillon,  April Newton, D.P.T., and Josh Kvinlaug.

Criterion 2 — Preparing for the future. The organization’s allocation of resources and its processes for evaluation and planning demonstrate its capacity to fulfill its mission, improve the quality of its education, and respond to future challenges and opportunities.

Committee members:  Craig Canby, Ph.D. and Mark Peiffer, CPA (co-chairs), Margie Gehringer, Juanita Robel, P.T., M.H.S., Kevin Smith, D.P.M., FACFAS, David Strom, Ph.D., and Teri Stumbo, P.T..

Criterion 3 — Student learning and effective teaching. The organization provides evidence of student learning and teaching effectiveness that demonstrates it is fulfilling its educational mission.

Committee members: Traci Bush, P.T., OTR/L, DHS and Luke Mortensen, Ph.D., FAHA, EMT (co-chairs), Gretchen Tighe, MPAS, PA-C, Teri Stumbo, P.T. Samina Akbar, Ph.D., Blaine Maley, Ph.D., Donald Matz, Ph.D., Ann York, Ph.D., and Kathy Scaglione, Mary Ann Zug, and Ms. Johnson are consultant members.

Criterion 4 — Acquisition, discovery, and application of knowledge. The organization promotes a life of learning for its faculty, administration, staff, and students by fostering and supporting inquiry, creativity, practice, and social responsibility in ways consistent with its mission.

Committee members: Andrew Brittingham, Ph.D. and Jodi Cahalan, Ph.D., M.P.H. PA-C (co-chairs), Edward Finnerty, Ph.D., SC(ASCP), NAOME, Jeffrey Gray, Ph.D., Diane Langner, Olivia Mead, Kevin Smith, D.P.M., FACFAS, Joseph Weir, Ph.D., FACSM.

Criterion 5 — Engagement and service. As called for by its mission, the organization identifies its constituencies and serves them in ways both value.

Committee members: Donald Matz, Ph.D. and Cheryl Dahms (co-chairs), Roberta Wattleworth, D.O., M.H.A., M.P.H., FACOFP, Carolyn Beverly, M.D., M.P.H., Chris Catrenich, Kendall Dillon, Matthew Henry, Ph.D., Jessica Sleeth, Yogesh Shah, M.D., FAAFM, Ronnette Vondrak, Mary Ann Zug.

Program accreditations

DMU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Additional program accreditations are listed below:

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

The College of Osteopathic Medicine is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). As an accredited college, COM is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, or AACOM.

Doctor of Physical Therapy

The professional D.P.T. program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association

Doctor of Podiatric Medicine

The College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery is accredited by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education of the American Podiatric Medical Association, 301-571-9200. The Council is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, as the specialized accrediting body for podiatric medical education. The council also approves podiatric medicine and surgery residencies.

Master of Healthcare Administration

The MHA program is a member of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration

Master of public Health

The MPH program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health

Physician Assistant

The Physician Assistant Program is approved by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. Graduates of ARC-PA-approved programs are eligible to take the certifying examination given by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.