HLC Initiatives
The Higher Learning Commission regularly looks at the development of practices and programs to advance accreditation as well as benefit member institutions and their students. Items from HLC initiatives will be posted here.
Strategic Plan
HLC’s strategic plan, Beyond the Horizon, identifies the guiding framework for the initiatives the organization will pursue in the next four years. It is organized around five strategic directions, referred to as VISTA: Value to Members, Innovation, Student Success, Thought Leadership and Advocacy.
News
More information on items below is available by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Updates on HLC activities also are featured on social media platforms:
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New Federal Regulations for Accreditors
In accordance with the Higher Education Act, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) published new regulations on November 1, 2019, that became effective on July 1, 2020. These regulations include both policy-related and procedural mandates for accreditors. To maintain recognition by the USDE, HLC is required to change a number of policies to align with the new regulations. In addition to mandates, there are many regulatory options in the revised federal regulations that present new opportunities for each accreditors’ consideration. HLC is independently studying the implications of these regulatory options to determine what changes, if any, it will make to its related policies and procedures.
HLC Joined Amicus Brief Urging U.S. Supreme Court to Uphold the Legality of DACA
In October 2019, HLC signed an amicus brief to the Supreme Court who reviewed the Trump administration's decision to end the Obama-era DACA policy, which provides temporary legal status and protection from deportation for nearly 800,000 young people known as Dreamers, undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children.
The ACE brief was filed in support of lower court decisions that have kept DACA in place after the Trump administration's September 2017 rescission of the policy. DACA has enabled outstanding individuals to be productive members of society. They work, serve in the military, and attend college.
HLC Endorses Statements on Transfer of Credit
HLC has endorsed the following statements that offer guidance for institutions on the transfer and award of credit:
- Statement of Principles on Acceptance of Credit: This statement describes eight principles for managing and evaluating academic credit and assessing student transcripts impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. It was issued by the American Association of Community Colleges, Association of American Universities, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, American Council on Education, and National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.
- Joint Statement on the Transfer and Award of Credit: This statement offers guidelines and considerations for the development of credit transfer policies. It was issued by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, American Council on Education, and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
HLC Begins Work on Quality Awareness Initiatives to Inform Learners to be Succesful Consumers of Higher Education
August 28, 2019—HLC has secured funding to explore new quality assurance approaches that better account for the diversity of educational intentions of today's students. The 16-month program, set to begin this fall, is funded by a $500,000 grant by Lumina Foundation.