Institutional and Programmatic
Accreditation
Institutional Accreditation
Institutional accreditation is
the process by which the University demonstrates to the public
that it is fulfilling its mission to provide a quality education
through the appropriate use of its resources and its adherence
to the criteria established for all colleges and university in
our region in the North Central region by the Higher Learning
Commission (HLC). The university was first accredited in
1928 as Wisconsin State College at La Crosse and has maintained
that accreditation to this day.
UW-L is anticipating its next review in 2015-2016, and will be
one of the first groups of institutions nationally to undertake
one of the new HLC
Pathways Accreditation Processes to reaffirm its continued
accreditation. This process includes a comprehensive
evaluation including assurance and federal compliance reviews,
as well as an on-site visit from the HLC.
Programmatic Accreditation
Programmatic
accreditation is the process by which already accredited
institutions obtain accreditation designated for specific
programs, departments, or professions.
For instance, some professions are regulated by state licensing
boards that may mandate applicants to have graduated from
academic programs accredited by a particular agency or
organization.
Programmatic accreditation ensures that students meet
professional standards, are eligible for professional licensing,
and/or can continue graduate-level studies at other institutions
through reviewing, verifying, and recognizing UW-L programs that
meet rigorous standards of quality.
If a program does not have an external accrediting body,
they participate in the
Academic
Program Review initiated by
UW-L every 7 years.
For more
information about institutional and programmatic accreditation,
contact System Liaison/UW-L Academic Planner
Dr. Sandra Grunwald