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Higher Learning Commission

Higher Learning Commission

  • About HLC
      • About Us

        HLC accredits colleges and universities in a 19-state region of the United States.
        • Background
        • Strategic Plan
        • HLC Initiatives
        • Career and Service Opportunities
      • Who We Are

        Barbara Gellman-Danley, President
        Board of Trustees
        Institutional Actions Council
        Department and Staff Directory
        Staff Liaisons
        Peer Corps
  • Accreditation
      • Criteria for Accreditation
        Maintain Accreditation
        Become Accredited
        Decision Making
      • Standard Pathway

        • Overview
        • 10-Year Cycle
        • Assurance Review
        • Comprehensive Evaluation
        • Standard Pathway Resources
      • AQIP Pathway

        • Overview
        • 8-Year Cycle
        • Action Projects
        • Strategy Forum
        • Systems Portfolio and Appraisal
        • Comprehensive Quality Review
        • Comprehensive Evaluation
      • Open Pathway

        • Overview
        • 10-Year Cycle
        • Assurance Review
        • Quality Initiative
        • Comprehensive Evaluation
      • Maintenance & Monitoring

        • Institutional Change
        • Off-Campus Activities
        • Federal Compliance
        • Institutional Update
        • Non-financial and Financial Indicators
        • Interim Report
        • Focused Visit
        • Special Conditions
  • Policies
      • February 2018 Updates

        Adopted Policies
        Proposed Policies
      • Browse Policies

        Criteria and Requirements
        Criteria for Accreditation, Assumed Practices, Eligibility Requirements
        Read more
        Institutional Processes
        Affiliation, reaffirmation, decision making, sanctions, monitoring
        Read more
        Commitment to Peer Review
        Peer reviewer eligibility, terms of service, standards of conduct
        Read more
        Required by Federal Regulation
        Federal Compliance, fraud and abuse, teach-out arrangements
        Read more
        Commission Obligations
        Public notices, complaints, relationships with external agencies
        Read more
        Policy Adoption and Review
        Policy review and revision process requirements
        Read more
  • Publications
      • Download the HLC Resource Guide
      • Publications by Topic
      • The Leaflet
      • Team Visit Guidelines, Templates and Examples
      • Substantive Change Applications
  • Peer Review
      • About the Peer Corps
      • Peer Review Team Resources
      • Peer Reviewer Data Update System
      • Peer Reviewer Application
      • Diversity Initiative
  • Programs and Events
      • 2018 Annual Conference
      • Process Events

        • AQIP Pathway Strategy Forums
        • Peer Reviewer Training
        • Meetings of Decision-Making Bodies
      • Elective Programs

        • Annual Conference
        • Workshops
        • Academies
        • Standard Pathway Seminars
      • Apply Now for the Student Success Academy
  • Student Resources
      • Directory
        Upcoming  Visits
        How Accreditation Works
      • Commentary on Institutions

        Third-Party Comment
        Submit comments about an institution with an upcoming comprehensive evaluation
        Read more
        Complaint Process
        File a complaint about an institution affiliated with HLC
        Read more
      • Public Information

        Public Disclosure Notices
        Public statements on issues and summaries of HLC decisions
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        Recent Actions
        Documentation of institutional actions by HLC decision-making bodies
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  • Background and History

About the Higher Learning Commission

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent corporation that was founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. HLC accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region, which includes the following 19 states:

  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Colorado
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Nebraska
  • New Mexico
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • South Dakota
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming
  • -
  • -

HLC Mission

Serving the common good by assuring and advancing the quality of higher learning.

HLC's Guiding Values


Transition From North Central Association to Higher Learning Commission

Through an agreement between the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and CASI (the Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement), the North Central Association has been dissolved. The dissolution of the North Central Association and the liquidation of its assets, announced in July 2014, had no effect on the accreditation of any institution. There was no change in the standards or process for accreditation of institutions by HLC and there was no effect on HLC’s federal recognition as a Title IV gatekeeper.

After 2001, when HLC and CASI incorporated as separate and independent corporations that accredit educational institutions at all levels, the North Central Association had no role in the accreditation process and existed solely to hold the Association’s property, including its name, trademarks and records.

As of the fall of 2014, institutions should revise their descriptive information to delete information indicating that they are members of the North Central Association. Instead, institutions should continue to describe themselves as members of HLC. Any third-party references to accreditation of degree-granting institutions of higher education by the North Central Association should be construed as referring to accreditation of these institutions by HLC.

Additional information regarding requirements related to the Mark of Affiliation is available on the Use of HLC Logos and Images page. Please write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions.


Contact HLC

Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, Illinois 60604-1413
Phone: 800.621.7440 / 312.263.0456 . Fax: 312.263.7462 . This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Governance

The Commission is governed by a Board of Trustees elected by the membership and administered by a president selected by and accountable to that Board. The charge to the president is to ensure that through its structures and personnel, the Commission delivers useful and cost-effective services. The president is Dr. Barbara Gellman-Danley.

The Commission adheres to the following Bylaws, which were approved in 2010.

Decision-Making Bodies

Actions on affiliated institutions are taken by decision-making bodies comprised of institutional representatives and public members. Unless otherwise specified, the decision-making bodies are broadly representative of the colleges and universities accredited by the Commission, with attention to institutional type, control, size, and geographical distribution. All decision-making bodies abide by the Commission’s conflict of interest policies. Visit the Calendar of Events to see a list of meetings of the Commission’s decision-making bodies.

Peer Reviewers

The Commission relies on a cadre of carefully selected and trained professionals who serve the Commission in its accreditation processes. This group of more than a thousand individuals is called the Peer Corps. These volunteers share their knowledge of and direct experience with higher education, their dedication to educational excellence, and their commitment to the principles underlying voluntary accreditation.

Relationship With the Federal Government and Other Organizations

To serve the common good, the Commission must create and maintain relationships with the federal government and other organizations with broader communities dependent on the quality of higher learning received in accredited colleges and universities. In most states in the North Central region, state legislatures have established governing or coordinating bodies to implement state policies meant to ensure that the citizens of the state have access to quality higher education.

The federal government has a distinct interest in the role of accreditation in assuring quality in higher education for the students who benefit from federal financial aid programs. By being recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) as a gatekeeper agency, the Commission agrees to fulfill specific federally defined responsibilities within the accreditation processes.

“The Triad” is the term used to describe the close working relationships among the states, the federal government, and regional accreditation. The Commission values its role in the Triad and through its policies and practices seeks to maintain the vitality of this unique exercise in private-public collaboration.

Other accrediting agencies, institutional and specialized, are also external constituents. On behalf of its affiliated organizations, the Commission establishes and maintains relationships with governmental and higher education agencies.

Staff

The Higher Learning Commission has more than 50 staff members. For contact information, visit the staff directory.

Employment Opportunities

The Higher Learning Commission is an equal opportunity employer. These employment opportunities are currently available at the Higher Learning Commission.

History

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Archives holds the Higher Learning Commission's and the North Central Association's historical documents.

To use the materials contact the Archives at 217.333.0798 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The materials are accessible at the Archives Research Center, 1707 S. Orchard Street, Urbana, IL 61820, during business hours.

HLC Resources
  • Strategic Plan
  • Peer Review
  • Governance
  • Staff Directory
  • HLC Glossary
Related Information
  • Recognition from External Agencies
  • The Commission and the U.S. Department of Education
Questions?
  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    800.621.7440

Get in Touch With HLC

© Higher Learning Commission

230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

800.621.7440 / 312.263.0456

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