Pathways and Related Process Requirements

Pathways Overview

HLC offers multiple accreditation pathways, each of which is defined by a distinct schedule and series of evaluative activities for its institutions. All pathways are framed around the Criteria for Accreditation as their evaluative basis. HLC may design and approve additional pathways at any time with advance notice to its membership of any associated entrance requirements.

Candidate institutions and accredited institutions that are on Probation, under a Show-Cause Order, or for which there is a pending appeal following a withdrawal action shall not participate in any pathway while on such status and shall instead participate in evaluation activities specifically outlined in the HLC policies applicable to such status.

Eligibility to Choose a Pathway

An institution that is awarded initial accreditation will be placed on the Standard Pathway.

An institution that is removed from Probation or a Show-Cause Order will be placed on the Standard Pathway.

An institution that is assigned a focused visit will be placed on the Standard Pathway, unless the focused visit is assigned in relation to an approved Change of Control, Structure or Organization.

HLC shall weigh multiple considerations in determining whether an institution is eligible to choose a pathway. These discretionary considerations include the length and record of the institution’s accreditation relationship with HLC, which could include interim monitoring, frequency of substantive change and change of control requests, sanctions, Show-Cause Orders, adverse actions, demonstrated effort on any prior Quality Initiatives, and any other information HLC deems relevant.

Moreover, HLC may exercise discretion in determining an appropriate pathway for an institution.

The HLC Board of Trustees or the Institutional Actions Council may at its discretion move an institution from any pathway to the Standard Pathway at any time during its accreditation cycle if: (1) the institution fails to fulfill the requirements of its pathway; (2) serious concerns arise about the institution’s capacity to continue to meet the Criteria for Accreditation, Federal Compliance Requirements or Assumed Practices; or (3) the institution needs to be monitored more closely through the processes of the Standard Pathway for any reason, including but not limited to a recent Change of Control, Structure or Organization.

Due Process Requirements Related to Pathway Assignments

A decision renewing an institution’s assignment to a pathway, or determining an institution’s eligibility to choose a pathway, or determining an institution’s eligibility to choose between evaluative activities within a pathway shall take place following a comprehensive evaluation for reaffirmation of accreditation at the conclusion of the institution’s accreditation cycle, unless otherwise permitted by HLC policies. All pathway determinations shall be made by formal decision of the Board of Trustees or Institutional Actions Council as applicable.

An institution shall receive notice of any recommendation for pathway assignment or change, or of any recommendation related to eligibility to choose between evaluative activities within a pathway, prior to the decision. The institution shall have an opportunity to respond to such recommendations prior to the decision being made by the Board of Trustees or the IAC. After a pathway assignment or a decision regarding an institution’s eligibility to choose between evaluative activities within a pathway has been made, it is not subject to additional review or change except at the discretion of HLC.

Standard Pathway

An institution on the Standard Pathway shall participate in a 10-year accreditation cycle.

Institutions on the Standard Pathway will generally participate in the following evaluative activities as part of the Standard Pathway:

1. A comprehensive evaluation in Year 4 of the accreditation cycle.
2. A comprehensive evaluation for reaffirmation of accreditation in Year 10 of the accreditation cycle.

In some instances, as provided in HLC policy, an institution on the Standard Pathway will instead participate in a comprehensive evaluation for reaffirmation of accreditation twice during its accreditation cycle, in Year 4 and Year 10. This includes an institution placed on the Standard Pathway following initial accreditation, removal of Probation, or removal of a Show-Cause Order.

Subsequent to reaffirmation in Year 10, an HLC decision-making body will either renew the institution’s assignment to the Standard Pathway or declare it eligible to choose a pathway.

An institution that gained its initial accreditation through the accelerated initial accreditation process may choose a different pathway following its comprehensive evaluation for reaffirmation of accreditation in Year 4 of its initial 10-year accreditation cycle.

An institution on the Standard Pathway that is declared eligible to choose another pathway may select that pathway subsequent to reaffirmation provided it files a letter of acceptance within a limited timeframe as required by the requirements of the pathway being sought. An institution on the Standard Pathway that is declared eligible to choose another pathway may also choose to remain on the Standard Pathway.

Process Requirements Specific to the Standard Pathway

An institution on the Standard Pathway shall demonstrate institutional improvement through an approach integrated with and focused on compliance with the Criteria for Accreditation. In addition, an institution on the Standard Pathway shall demonstrate that it has taken specific steps to make reasonable progress in resolving any concerns resulting from the previous comprehensive evaluation or raised by HLC during the period between evaluations.

Open Pathway

An institution on the Open Pathway shall participate in a 10-year accreditation cycle.

An institution on the Open Pathway shall participate in the following evaluative activities as part of the Open Pathway:

1. Either (a) an Assurance Review in Year 4 of the accreditation cycle or (b) a Quality Initiative from Year 1 to Year 4 of the accreditation cycle. An institution will be deemed eligible to choose between these options according to requirements set forth by HLC.
2. A Quality Initiative from Year 5 to Year 9 of the accreditation cycle.
3. A comprehensive evaluation for reaffirmation of accreditation in Year 10 of the accreditation cycle.

Subsequent to reaffirmation in Year 10, an HLC decision-making body will either assign the institution to the Standard Pathway or declare it eligible to choose another pathway.

Process Requirements Specific to the Open Pathway

An institution on the Open Pathway will participate in one or more Quality Initiatives through which it demonstrates an ongoing commitment to improving its quality.

Quality Initiative Proposal. For each Quality Initiative, the institution shall submit a Quality Initiative Proposal for review and approval by HLC.

Quality Initiative Report. For each Quality Initiative, the institution shall submit a Quality Initiative Report explaining the results of the initiative for review and approval by HLC. HLC shall determine whether the institution has met certain expectations for the Quality Initiative and provide a recommendation.

The determination for each Quality Initiative that the institution completes during the accreditation cycle will be sent to the appropriate decision-making body with the written report resulting from the comprehensive evaluation for reaffirmation of accreditation.

Policy History

Last Revised: February 2025, effective September 2025
First Adopted: June 2012
Revision History: November 2012, June 2014, November 2018, February 2022, February 2025 (effective September 2025)
Notes: Policies combined in November 2012 – 1A.2.1, 1A.2.2, 1A.2.3, 1A.2.4, 1A.2.5. In February 2021, references to the Higher Learning Commission as “the Commission” were replaced with the term “HLC.” Policy renumbered in February 2022 (former policy number INST.C.10.020).