Policy Index | Policies

Higher Learning Commission

About HLC
- - About Us
    
    HLC accredits colleges and universities in the United States.
    
    Background
    
    News
    
    Strategic Plan
    
    Initiatives
    
    Career and Service Opportunities
  - Who We Are
    
    President and Executive Leadership Team
    
    Board of Trustees
    
    Institutional Actions Council
    
    Staff Directory
    
    Staff Liaisons
    
    Peer Corps
COVID-19
- - 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.
  - Accreditation Reviews During the Pandemic
    
    Updated August 17, 2021
    
    Virtual Events
    
    Updated July 7, 2021
    
    Requirements Regarding Changes to Educational Offerings
    
    Updated May 27, 2021
    
    FAQs and Additional Resources
    
    Updated June 15, 2021
Accreditation
- - Seeking Accreditation
    
    Processes and requirements for applying for and achieving HLC membership
    
    Standard and Open Pathways
    
    Evaluation cycles for accredited institutions to reaffirm compliance with HLC requirements
    
    Institutional Update
    
    Annual survey on institutional enrollment, academic offerings, operations and finances
    
    Substantive Change
    
    Requirements regarding changes to operations or academic offerings
    
    Off-Campus Activities
    
    Evaluations of branch campuses and additional locations
    
    Financial and Non-financial Indicators
    
    Annual analysis of institutional health
    
    Decision Making
    
    Processes for taking action on institutional evaluations
    
    Monitoring
    
    Processes for following up on issues of concern at accredited institutions
    
    Sanctions, Show-Cause Orders and Adverse Actions
    
    Actions and processes related to non-compliance with HLC requirements
Policies
- - June 2021 Updates
  - Browse Policies
    
    Criteria and Requirements
    
    Criteria for Accreditation, Assumed Practices, Eligibility Requirements
    
    Institutional Processes
    
    COVID-19 response, membership, reaffirmation, decision making, sanctions, monitoring
    
    Commitment to Peer Review
    
    Peer reviewer eligibility, terms of service, standards of conduct
    
    Compliance With Federal Regulation
    
    Federal Compliance, fraud and abuse, teach-out arrangements
    
    HLC Obligations
    
    Public notices, complaints, relationships with external agencies
    
    Policy Adoption and Review
    
    Policy review and revision process requirements
Publications
Peer Review
Programs and Events
- - Process Events
  - Elective Programs
    
    Standard Pathway Resources
    
    Seminars, webinars and HLC feedback
    
    Academies
    
    Long-term programs on improvement
    
    Workshops
    
    Intensive topic-based programs
  - Annual Conference
    
    Call for Proposals
    
    Program
    
    Registration
    
    Sponsors and Exhibitors
    
    Featured Speakers
Student Resources
- - Commentary on Institutions
    
    Third-Party Comment
    
    Submit comments about an institution with an upcoming comprehensive evaluation
    
    Complaint Process
    
    File a complaint about an HLC member institution
  - Public Information
    
    Recent Actions
    
    Documentation of institutional actions by HLC decision-making bodies
    
    Public Disclosure Notices
    
    Public statements on issues and summaries of HLC decisions

HLC Policies

June 2021 Updates

Adopted Policy Changes

Proposed Policy Changes

Browse Policies

Section 1: Criteria and Requirements

Section 2: Compliance With Federal Regulation

Section 3: Institutional Processes

Section 4: HLC Obligations

Section 5: Commitment to Peer Review

Section 6: Policy Adoption and Review

Appendix A: Assumed Practices in Effect Prior to November 5, 2020