The SACS Handbook on The Quality Enhancement Plan contains a helpful discussion of the range and types of topics that might serve as the basis for a QEP.

Guidelines Relating to QEP Topics

The following excerpts, taken from SACS’ discussion of the QEP, are helpful guidelines about possible topics. For more detail, see http://www.sacscoc.org/pdf/081705/QEP%20Handbook.pdf

Guidelines
  • The topic for the QEP does not need to be an idea that is brand new or unique to the university. “For example, an institution might develop a QEP that extends, modifies, redirects, or strengthens an improvement that is already underway. An institution might also develop a QEP that has been in the planning stages prior to the beginning of preparations for reaffirmation. An institution may not, however, submit a QEP that describes initiatives that are fully realized.”

  • Possible QEP topics might arise from exploring the university’s “culture, strategic planning, goals, mission, and assessment results.”

  • Data on best practice and on SMU’s own needs should be considered during the selection process. “Institutions are encouraged to base their selection of the topic for the QEP on empirical data and an analysis of these data. The institution may wish to examine studies that have been done on best practices in higher education and other national and peer group data derived from carefully designed research. A QEP topic based on a needs assessment, for example, will have more validity and credibility than one that does not.”

  • An important factor is scope. “While the QEP is not expected to touch the life of every student at the institution, the topic does need to be sufficiently broad to be viewed as significant to the institution and as a major enhancement to student learning. On the other hand, it also needs to be focused enough to provide a manageable framework for development and implementation.”