as of December 6, 2021

Please note: HLC is upgrading its database, and changes to institutional records made after December 6 may not be reflected below. Access to the most recent institutional information will be restored by January 2022.

University of Colorado Denver

1380 Lawrence Street
Lawrence Street Center, Suite 1400
Denver, CO 80204-2029
(303) 315-2500
http://www.ucdenver.edu

*Previous names: Effective 7/1/2004 the University of Colorado at Denver and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center consolidated to form the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center. Name was subsequently changed to University of Colorado Denver on 10/29/07.

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The information on this page describes the accreditation relationship between this institution and the Higher Learning Commission. General information about the Commission and the accreditation process is provided at the end of this document. In addition, links to definitions are provided for many of the terms used.

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Accreditation Information

Current status: Accredited

Accreditation granted:

07/24/1970

Most recent reaffirmation of accreditation: 2020 - 2021
     • Action Letter (PDF)

Next reaffirmation of accreditation: 2030 - 2031

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Upcoming or In-Progress Reviews

Date	Event	Description
2024 - 2025:	Assurance Review
2030 - 2031:	Comprehensive Evaluation

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Most Recent History With HLC

Date	Event	Description
07/13/2021:	Comprehensive Evaluation	Continue Accreditation
07/18/2011:	Reaffirmation of Accreditation (PEAQ)

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General Institutional Information

This section provides brief, general information about the institution’s organization and scope as self-reported by the institution through its annual Institutional Update to HLC.

All institutions are required to represent themselves accurately and consistently to multiple agencies. However, some information about institutions may appear differently among agencies depending on the timing of the institution's updates to those agencies or those agencies' definitions or standards. Such agencies should be consulted directly for further information.

For example, an institution's "Control" (or "Type") may be categorized differently by the U.S. Department of Education for other purposes under its standards. Additional information can be found at nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/.

Control: Public

Degree programs (number in each category): Bachelors (44), Masters (80), Doctoral (41)

Certificate programs (number offered): 163

Off-Campus Activities (This listing was last updated: 07/15/2020; the information may not be current.) The institution’s accreditation includes courses and programs at:

In-State:		Campuses:		Anschutz Medical Campus - Aurora, CO;
		Additional Locations:		Boulder Journey School - Boulder, CO; Friends' School - Boulder, CO; University of Colorado Colorado Springs - Colorado Springs, CO; CU South Denver - Denver, CO; Denver Public Schools - Denver, CO; Clayton Early Learning - Denver, CO; Colorado State University - Fort Collins, CO; University of Northern Colorado (UNC) - Greeley, CO; Otero Junior College - La Junta, CO; St Vrain Valley School District Learning Services Center - Longmont, CO; Adams 12 Five Star Schools Education Services Center - Thornton, CO; Trinidad State Junior College - Trinidad, CO;
Out-of-State:		Campuses:		None.
		Additional Locations:		None.
Out-of-U.S.:		Campuses:		None.
		Additional Locations:		China Agricultural University - Haidian, Bejing, CHINA;

Location	Campuses	Additional Locations
In-State:	Anschutz Medical Campus - Aurora, CO;	Boulder Journey School - Boulder, CO; Friends' School - Boulder, CO; University of Colorado Colorado Springs - Colorado Springs, CO; CU South Denver - Denver, CO; Denver Public Schools - Denver, CO; Clayton Early Learning - Denver, CO; Colorado State University - Fort Collins, CO; University of Northern Colorado (UNC) - Greeley, CO; Otero Junior College - La Junta, CO; St Vrain Valley School District Learning Services Center - Longmont, CO; Adams 12 Five Star Schools Education Services Center - Thornton, CO; Trinidad State Junior College - Trinidad, CO;
Out-of-State:	None.	None.
Out-of-U.S.:	None.	China Agricultural University - Haidian, Bejing, CHINA;

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About HLC and Accreditation

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an institutional accreditation agency that accredits degree-granting colleges and universities that are based in the United States.

Institutional accreditation validates the quality of an institution as a whole and evaluates multiple aspects of an institution, including its academic offerings, governance and administration, mission, finances, and resources. HLC’s accreditation includes all degree levels as well as onsite and online course delivery. Institutions of higher education in the United States may also seek accreditation through specialized or programmatic accreditation agencies, which accredit programs, departments or schools within a college or university.

Institutions that HLC accredits are evaluated against its Criteria for Accreditation, a set of standards that institutions must meet to receive and/or maintain accredited status. HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation reflect a set of Guiding Values.

The accreditation process is based on a system of peer review. Approximately 2,000 educators from institutions of higher education serve as HLC peer reviewers conducting accreditation evaluations for other institutions. They make recommendations to HLC’s decision-making bodies, which take final action on institutional evaluations and are made up of both peer reviewers and public members.

Evaluation Process

HLC accreditation assures quality by verifying that an institution (1) meets threshold requirements and (2) is engaged in continuous improvement. In addition, all institutions are required to data annually in the Institutional Update, undergo annual monitoring of financial and non-financial indicators, and adhere to HLC policies and practices, including Assumed Practices and Obligations of Membership.

Decision Making

HLC’s decision-making bodies evaluate and make decisions, called actions, on recommendations from peer review teams that review institutions for their compliance with HLC's Criteria for Accreditation and other requirements. The decision-making bodies are comprised of institutional representatives and public members. See Decision-Making Bodies and Processes for more information.

Public Information

HLC is committed to providing information to the public regarding accreditation decisions made regarding individual institutions.

Actions that are taken by HLC regarding an institution’s accreditation status are disclosed to the public. In cases of reaffirming continued accreditation, placing an institution on or reviewing a sanction, or withdrawing accreditation, the Action Letter issued to the institution is made available for viewing on the institution’s Statement of Accreditation Status, found by searching the institution’s name through HLC’s online directory. Public Disclosure Notices are also issued and posted in the directory in cases of sanction, assigning or removing an institutional designation, resignation of accreditation or candidacy, institutional closing or withdrawal of accreditation by HLC. The PDN provides the public with the most applicable information from the posted Action Letter. HLC decision-making outcomes also are summarized on the HLC Institutional Actions page.

Complaints Against Institutions

HLC has a formal complaint process, consisting of an online complaint form on the HLC website, for faculty, students and other parties to submit information regarding a member institution’s potential non-compliance with HLC requirements. HLC does not accept complaints through mail, email or over the phone. As stated in HLC policy, the complaints process is designed to enable HLC to review, in a timely and fair manner, information that suggests potential substantive non-compliance with an institution’s ability to meet HLC requirements.