Additional Location and Branch Campus Reviews
Many HLC member institutions offer courses and programs at locations and branch campuses beyond their main campus, meeting their students where they are. HLC works with our members to ensure students have the same quality education and services no matter where they attend class.
See HLC’s Glossary for definitions of additional location and branch campus.
Additional Locations
Changes to Additional Locations
Institutions apply for approval or notify HLC before opening new additional locations or relocating or closing existing locations.
Additional Location Substantive Change Requirements
Additional Location Confirmation Visits
HLC peer reviewers evaluate each of an institution’s first three additional locations shortly after the location opens and enrolls students, confirming the institution implemented their plans successfully.
Additional Location Confirmation Visit Procedure
Multi-location Visits
When an institution has three or more additional locations in operation, HLC peer reviewers evaluate a sample of its locations in Years 3 and 8 of the institution’s Open or Standard Pathway 10-year cycle. The visit is meant to confirm the continuing effective oversight by the institution of its additional locations.
Branch Campuses
Changes to Branch Campuses
Institutions apply for HLC approval before opening, relocating or closing a branch campus.
Branch Campus Substantive Change Requirements
Campus Evaluation Visits
HLC peer reviewers evaluate each new branch campus within six months after it opens and enrolls students. The visit is meant to confirm the quality of the campus and its educational program, as well as the institution’s capacity to sustain that quality.
Campus Evaluation Visit Procedure
Multi-campus Visits
When an institution has one or more branch campuses, HLC peer reviewers will evaluate a sample of its campuses as part of any comprehensive evaluation for Candidacy and initial accreditation, as well as any comprehensive evaluation involving reaffirmation of accreditation for institutions on the Standard or Open Pathways.
Review Fees
Institutions pay a fee for substantive change reviews and visits to additional locations and branch campuses.
Managing Location and Campus Records
View and update records in the Location and Campus Update section of Canopy. CEOs, Accreditation Liaison Officers and Location Coordinators have access to these records.
Related Resources
