Institutions of higher education in the United States seek accreditation through two types of accreditation agencies, institutional and specialized. Institutional accreditation agencies are classified as regional and national.

National accreditation associations focus on certain types of colleges such as trade and technical institutions, or religious colleges such as seminaries and bible colleges.

Regional accreditation agencies are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit degree granting colleges and universities. There are six regions of the U.S. in which regional agencies operate. The regional accreditation agencies have similar standards for accrediting colleges and universities.

Regional accreditation validates the quality of an institution as a whole and evaluates multiple aspects of an institution ranging from its academic offerings, governance and administration, mission, finances, and resources.

The Higher Learning Commission is a regional accreditation agency that accredits degree granting institutions of higher education that are based in the 19-state North Central region of the United States. Institutions that the Commission accredits are evaluated against the Commission’s Criteria for Accreditation, a set of standards that institutions must meet to receive and/or maintain accredited status. The Commission’s Criteria for Accreditation reflect a set of guiding values.

The accreditation process is based on a system of peer review. Approximately 1,600 educators from institutions of higher education serve as peer reviewers conducting accreditation evaluations for other institutions. Peer reviewers also serve on committees that make up the elements of the accreditation process.

Candidacy

An institution seeking to become accredited by the Higher Learning Commission must undergo a period of Candidacy status after proving that it meets the Commission’s Eligibility Requirements. The candidacy period is at maximum four years. An institution in Candidacy status is not accredited; rather it has met the Commission’s Eligibility Requirements and shows evidence that it is making progress toward meeting all the Criteria for Accreditation. Candidacy does not carry membership in the Commission and does not guarantee eventual accreditation.

Evaluation Process

Higher Learning Commission accreditation assures quality by verifying that an institution (1) meets threshold standards and (2) is engaged in continuous improvement. In addition, all institutions are required to complete an annual filing of the Institutional Update, undergo annual monitoring of financial and non-financial indicators, and adhere to Commission policies and practices on institutional change.

Peer reviewers trained in the Commissions standards evaluate institutions' demonstration of whether they meet the Criteria for Accreditation and make recommendations to the Commission’s decision-making bodies.

Institutional Actions Council (Decision-Making Body)

The Board of Trustees appoints and authorizes members of the Institutional Actions Council (IAC) to conduct reviews and take actions on the majority of accreditation recommendations. IAC members consist of representatives of academic institutions accredited by HLC, as well as members of the public. Detailed information on IAC processes is found in the Commission’s policies on decision-making. 


Public Information

In the interest of being transparent, the Commission is committed to providing information to the public regarding accreditation decisions made regarding individual institutions.

Actions that are taken by the Commission regarding an institution’s accreditation status are disclosed to the public. Beginning July 2013, in all cases of issuing continued accreditation, placing an institution on or resolving a sanction, or withdrawing accreditation, the Action Letter issued to the institution is made available for viewing and the institution’s status in the Commission’s online directory is updated. Public Disclosure Notices are also issued in cases of sanction to provide the public more detail of the issues leading to sanction.

Complaints Against Institutions

HLC allows faculty, students, and other parties to submit formal complaints regarding an HLC-affiliated institution through its complaints process. As stated in HLC policy, the complaints process is designed to enable HLC to review, in a timely and fair manner, information that suggests potential substantive non-compliance with an institution’s ability to meet the Criteria for Accreditation or other HLC requirements.