Open Pathway 10-Year Cycle
To determine where an institution is in the 10-year cycle, find the date of its next reaffirmation in the institution's Statement of Accreditation Status. This date is Year 10, and the preceding academic years correspond to the previous years in the cycle.
HLC has many regular interactions with member institutions beyond the evaluations related to the Open Pathway. These occur through the annual Institutional Update, financial and non-financial indicator reviews, multi-location visits, substantive change requests and monitoring.
Years 1–3
Institution
May contribute documents to Evidence File and begin writing Assurance Argument for Year 4 Assurance Review.
Year 4
Institution
Submit Assurance Filing (Assurance Argument and Evidence File).
Peer Review
Conduct Assurance Review (no visit).
HLC Decision Making
Acceptance of or action on Assurance Review.
Years 5–7
Institution
Submit Quality Initiative Proposal. May also begin preparing Assurance Filing for Year 10 comprehensive evaluation.
Peer Review
Review Quality Initiative Proposal.
Years 7–9
Institution
Submit Quality Initiative Report. May also continue preparing Assurance Filing for Year 10 comprehensive evaluation.
Peer Review
Review Quality Initiative Report.
Year 10
Institution
Submit comprehensive evaluation materials.
Peer Review
Conduct comprehensive evaluation (with visit).
HLC Decision Making
Take action on comprehensive evaluation and Reaffirmation of Accreditation.
