Accreditation Criteria

An institution holding status with The Higher Learning Commission meets general institutional requirements in areas of mission, governance, faculty, educational program, finances and public information. Click above for the specific requirements in each of these areas.

In addition to the General Institutional Requirements, an institution accredited by The Higher Learning Commission demonstrates that it satisfies five Criteria for Accreditation.

• Criterion 1 - Mission
  The institution has clear and publicly stated purposes consistent with its mission and appropriate to an institution of higher education.
• Criterion 2 - Preparing for the Future
  The institution has effectively organized the human, financial, and physical resources necessary to accomplish its purposes.
• Criterion 3 - Student Learning and Effective Teaching
  The institution is accomplishing its educational and other purposes.
• Criterion 4 - Acquisition, Discovery and Application of Knowledge
  The institution can continue to accomplish its purposes and strengthen its educational effectiveness.
• Criterion 5 - Engagement and Service
  The institution demonstrates integrity in its practices and relationships.

• accreditation criteria
• accreditation process
• criteria committees
• faqs
• public comments
• resource documents
• self-study process
• self-study report
• steering committee
• student forums
• timeline
• home