Substantive Change: Competency-Based Education
Prior HLC approval may be required for new competency-based education (CBE) programs, including credit-based, direct assessment or hybrid programs.
Before applying for HLC approval of a CBE program, institutions should understand the Council of Regional Accrediting Commissions' (C-RAC's) Common Framework for Defining and Approving Competency-Based Education Programs, as well as the essential program components and elements of good practice that are provided in HLC's CBE Program Application. Institutions planning to offer CBE programs that are considered for Title IV eligibility should also be aware that the U.S. Department of Education requires that they obtain approval from their regional accrediting body prior to filing their applications with the Department.
Institutions are encouraged to understand the Department's expectations for accreditors as outlined in its guidelines published on March 19, 2013, and on December 19, 2014, which highlight that a course/credit-based competency-based program that requires approval by the accreditor is one where the program is organized or re-organized around competencies, not one where competencies have been added to existing courses.
If an institution is partnering with a third-party entity to offer a program, it might also need to notify HLC about or apply for prior approval of a contractual arrangement.
Note: Prior HLC approval or notification may also be required for changes to existing academic programs.
Types of Requests
The following information is provided for general guidance. Institutions planning a change related to their CBE programs should contact their HLC staff liaison to confirm that prior HLC approval or notification is required.
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Prior HLC Approval Required
How to Apply
Submit the CBE Program Application
Review Process
Review and Decision-Making Timeline
At least five months from the submission of a complete application. Due to the nature of HLC's review of CBE program applications, the process may take longer than other types of requests.
A credit-based CBE program requiring approval is one in which (1) the majority (51 percent or more) of the credits are offered through CBE or (2) the general education courses or the major courses are being converted to CBE and the program is organized around competencies.
Prior HLC Approval Required
How to Apply
Submit the CBE Program Application
Important: Credit-based CBE programs that were offered prior to May 1, 2015, and reported to HLC through the survey sent in the spring of 2016 are included in the institution's approvals. These programs are listed in an institution's Institutional Status and Requirements (ISR) Report under Accreditation Stipulations. They do not count toward the first two programs approvals.
Review Process
Review and Decision-Making Timeline
At least five months from the submission of a complete application. Due to the nature of HLC's review of CBE program applications, the process may take longer than other types of requests.
A credit-based CBE program requiring approval is one in which (1) the majority (51% or more) of the credits are offered through CBE or (2) the general education courses or the major courses are being converted to CBE and the program is organized around competencies.
HLC Notification Required
How to Notify HLC
Contact the institution's HLC staff liaison.
Important: Credit-based CBE programs that were offered prior to May 1, 2015, and reported to HLC through the survey sent in the spring of 2016 are included in the institution's approvals. These programs are listed in an institution's Institutional Status and Requirements (ISR) Report under Accreditation Stipulations. They do not count toward the first two programs approvals.
A credit-based CBE program requiring approval is one in which (1) the majority (51 percent or more) of the credits are offered through CBE or (2) the general education courses or the major courses are being converted to CBE and the program is organized around competencies.
A program would be considered a significant departure from the institution's existing programs if the institution does not currently offer other programs at the same degree level and in the same general discipline (i.e., with CIP codes with the same first two digits as the proposed program). A program may also be considered a significant departure based on other factors, including, but not limited to, whether the institution plans to hire additional faculty with new expertise or to acquire specialized accreditation.
Contact the institution's HLC staff liaison
Contact the institution's HLC staff liaison to discuss the proposed program and determine whether prior HLC approval or notification is required. An institution's staff liaison is identified in its Institutional Status and Requirements Report.
If Prior Approval Is Required
Submit the CBE Program Application . The application will be reviewed by a Change Panel process, and the review and decision-making process will take at least five months from the submission of the application.
If Notification Is Required
Update the institution's degree program information in the next Institutional Update.
Questions?
Contact HLC at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Review HLC's Glossary for definitions of terms related to institutional change.
