Certificate Program Application | Accreditation

Higher Learning Commission

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Certificate Program Substantive Change Application

Before submitting this application, institutions should complete the Certificate Program Screening Form to determine if prior HLC approval is required. HLC-accredited and candidate institutions are required to seek prior approval for credit-bearing certificate or diploma programs in which 50 percent or more of the courses were developed for the program and not derived from courses in existing academic programs.

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

Screening Confirmation

Have you completed HLC’s certificate program screening form to confirm that HLC approval is required for this program?(*)

Yes
No

Selection required

Contact Information

First name:(*)

First name required

Last name:(*)

Last name required

Email address:(*)

Valid email address required

Confirm email address:(*)

Email address must match address provided above

Institution name:(*)

Select your institution from the list provided

I certify that I am authorized to submit requests for approval of new certificate programs on behalf of the institution listed above. (*)

Field required

I understand that HLC will charge the institution a fee for the processing and review of this application once it is submitted. (See HLC’s Dues and Fees Schedule.) (*)

Field required

Certificate Program Information

2020 CIP code and program name:(*)

Selection required

Program name as it appears in the institution’s course catalog:(*)

Provide a course catalog name for the certificate program

Certificate program launch date:(*)

Valid date required (DD/MM/YYYY)

Internal and External Approvals

I certify that the program has appropriate and completed approval from internal sources (e.g., department, curriculum committees, etc.) and external sources (e.g., the state coordinating board, etc.).(*)

Field required

Does the program involve a contractual arrangement?(*)

Yes
No

Selection required

If the arrangement requires prior approval from HLC, submit the Contractual Arrangement Application separately from the Certificate Program Application. Indicate this related request at the end of this form.

If the arrangement does not require HLC approval, provide a PDF of the email from HLC confirming that fact.

Attach documentation as a single PDF file.

Curriculum Information

Credential Level:(*)

Credential level required

Academic term:(*)

Semester
Quarter

Academic term required

How will the certificate program be offered? Select all that apply. (See HLC’s Glossary for definitions of distance and correspondence education.)(*)

On-ground instruction
Distance education
Correspondence education

Please select where the certificate program will be offered

Total credit hours: (*)
Note: Please only enter a whole number value. Do not enter decimal numbers, a range of values, or any labels or explanation.

Total credit hours required (must be a whole number)

List the courses in the certificate program that are not currently offered in any existing degree programs. Include the course name, number of credit hours, and a brief description of the course. List one course per line.(*)

Course list required

List the courses in the certificate program that are currently offered in existing degree programs. Include the course name, number of credit hours, and a brief description of the course. List one course per line.(*)

Course list required

Academic Control

Provide brief answers to the following questions. Each response is limited to 150 words.

Describe the nature of the certificate program.(*)

Response required

Describe the necessary qualifications of the faculty teaching in the certificate program (e.g., education and years of experience required). How does the institution ensure that new faculty meet these qualifications?(*)

Response required

Describe the processes for the assessment of student learning, such as development and measurement of learning objectives and continuous quality improvement.(*)

Response required

Describe the process of academic control of the program, such as in admission, program content and quality, and frequency and process of program review.(*)

Response required

Related Change Requests

Is this application being submitted in conjunction with another application?(*)

Yes
No

Selection required

Please explain:(*)

Please specify the other requests you plan to submit to HLC in conjunction with this application.

Please complete the Certificate Program Screening Form before submitting this application.

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800.621.7440 / 312.263.0456

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Higher Learning Commission

About Us

HLC accredits colleges and universities in the United States.

Who We Are

HLC's Response to COVID-19

HLC's priorities are to protect the safety of its stakeholders and to support the efforts of institutions as they respond to this challenging situation. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact HLC.

February 2022 Updates

Browse Policies

Process Events

Elective Programs

Public Information

Institutional Review

Screening Confirmation

Contact Information

Certificate Program Information

Internal and External Approvals

Curriculum Information

Academic Control

Related Change Requests