The mission of the University of Alabama at Birmingham is to be a research university and academic health center that discovers, teaches, and applies knowledge for the intellectual, cultural, social and economic benefit of Birmingham, the state and beyond. Through the strategic planning process, four institutional goals have been identified related to education, research, innovation, and economic development, community engagement, and patient care. The objective of Goal I is to offer a world-class, socially conscious education to diverse students to prepare the next generation of citizens and leaders.
This mission and its associated strategic goals commit the institution to success for all students, both traditional and online. In the process of measuring student achievement, the institution takes into consideration a variety of information, including retention and graduate rates as well as degree completions.
Undergraduate Retention and Graduation Rates
Two of the most visible and significant indicators of undergraduate student achievement are retention and graduation rates.
Since 2011, UAB has consistently maintained fall-to-spring retention rates exceeding 91% and fall-to-fall retention rates exceeding 78% with the past five years exceeding 81%. Graduation rates have also increased impressively during the same period. The four-year graduation rate has increased by 12 percentage points, the five-year graduation rate has increased by 13 percentage points, and the six-year graduation rate has increased by almost 10 percentage points.
2022 Full-Time Baccalaureate-Seeking Freshmen Retention and Graduation Rates*
*Rates are preliminary until submitted to IPEDS in April.
Degree Completions
UAB closely tracks degree completions at various levels: bachelor's, master's, doctoral (professional practice/other), doctoral (research/scholarship), educational specialist, and certificates. Increases in the total number of degrees awarded demonstrate improvements in student achievement, as reflected in the University goals to support undergraduate and graduate/professional education.
Since 2011-2012, the number of degrees that UAB awards annually has increased by over 2,000 to 6,256 degrees. Specifically, bachelor's and master's completions have increased by over 850 annually. These totals include degrees awarded both to traditional and online students.
UAB Degrees Awarded 2011/2012 through 2020/2021
Yearly Totals
- 2011-2021: 4,143
- 2012-2013: 4,367
- 2013-2014: 4,322
- 2014-2015: 4,500
- 2015-2016: 4,430
- 2016-2017: 4,921
- 2017-2018: 5,225
- 2018-2019: 5,596
- 2019-2020: 5,911
- 2020-2021: 6,256
Per SACSCOC requirements, all SACSCOC accredited institutions must undergo an accreditation reaffirmation every ten years to ensure the institution continues to be in full compliance with SACSCOC principles of accreditation. The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s SACSCOC accreditation reaffirmation was completed in 2015. The University of Alabama at Birmingham will be up for accreditation affirmation in 2025 and is currently preparing to ensure full documentation of its compliance with SACSCOC principles of accreditation.
The reaffirmation process will primarily consist of three key components:
- Internal committees will evaluate UAB’s compliance with SACSCOC standards and submit Compliance Certification documents for Off-Site Review.
- UAB will prepare a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) and any additional documentation (as needed) for On-Site Review.
- Any additional responses and/or documentation will be submitted for SACSCOC Board of Trustees review.
SACSCOC Reaffirmation Timeline
Fall 2022
- SACSCOC Orientation of Leadership Team at Annual Meeting in December
Fall 2023
- Complete all narratives
Spring 2024
- Draft QEP
Summer 2024
- Complete external and internal administrative reviews
- Revise and finalize compliance certification as needed
Fall 2024
- Complete compliance certification
- Off-Site Peer Review Completed
- Complete final draft of QEP document
- Complete all reviews of QEP document
Spring 2025
- Complete Focused Report (if applicable) and submit
- Submit QEP to On-Site Review Committee
- On-Site Visit
Summer 2025
- Response to On-Site Committee (if necessary)
Fall 2025
- Review by SACSCOC Board of Trustees
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, educational specialist, and doctorate degrees. The University of Alabama at Birmingham also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of the University of Alabama at Birmingham may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s SACSCOC accreditation reaffirmation was completed in 2015. The institution will be up for accreditation reaffirmation in 2025 and is currently preparing to ensure full documentation of its compliance with SACSCOC principles of accreditation.
Please direct routine inquiries regarding the institution, including admission requirements, financial aid, and educational programs, directly to the institution rather than the SACSCOC office. For general inquiries about SACSCOC, please contact UAB's SACSCOC liaison, Dr. Katrina Hunter-Mintz, at
About Accreditation
Accreditation is a peer-review process of accountability and quality assurance in higher education. It is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as having several important functions, including:
- Assessing the quality of academic programs at institutions of higher education
- Creating a culture of continuous improvement of academic quality at colleges and universities and stimulate a general raising of standards among educational institutions
- Involving faculty and staff comprehensively in institutional evaluation and planning
- Establishing criteria for professional certification and licensure and for upgrading courses offering such preparation
Program Accreditations
In addition to institutional accreditation by the SACSCOC, most of UAB degree programs have earned and maintain specialized programmatic accreditations.
A complete list of these programs, including information about the specific accrediting organizations, reaffirmation dates, and site visits, can be found in UAB Facts & Figures, beginning on page 18.
UAB Facts & Figures (pdf)