What is a QEP?

The Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is a required component of the university's reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Associations of Colleges and Schools (SACS). It must be designed to improve student learning.

What is South University’s QEP Topic?

The topic South University selected, and which was approved by the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees, is “Teaching for Critical Thinking.”

What is critical thinking and how do you teach for it?

Critical thinking is reasonable, reflective thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe or do.  It is a systematic process of reasoning things out. Teaching for critical thinking is done when students are taught how to learn content by thinking through the fundamental concepts and central questions of a discipline.

How do you think things through and reason things out?

To think things through deeply and reason them out carefully requires one to use the basic elements of reasoning and then evaluate their reasoning based on intellectual standards of thought. 

Who will be involved in our QEP?

All academic programs will participate.  For general studies, the QEP will be initiated in the Strategies for Success Course and then infused throughout the curriculum. For professional programs, the QEP will start in an introductory course and then incorporated throughout the curriculum.

What are the desired outcomes of our QEP?

As critical thinking skills are developed, one will be better prepared to learn, to write skillfully, to read closely, to reach well-reasoned conclusions, to solve problems, to think independently, and to make well-reasoned choices in life.

What is your role?

Students: To know what South University’s QEP topic is, to participate in the plan, and to provide feedback to faculty on how well the plan is working.

Faculty/Staff: To have a working knowledge of the QEP, to learn how to teach more for critical thinking, and to engage students in thinking their way through the curriculum.

Deans:  Ensure faculty and staff awareness of the QEP and to involve their respective schools in the planning and execution of the plan.

How can I learn more?

Please click on the South University QEP link on the right hand side to read the entire plan.