Process Requirements Leading to HLC Actions Following Reviews of the Criteria for Accreditation

Recommendations for HLC Action Based on Reviews of the Criteria for Accreditation

The team of HLC peer reviewers conducting a review of the Criteria for Accreditation, whether in the Standard Pathway or the Open Pathway shall, in its written report make a recommendation for HLC action, except after a mid-cycle Assurance Review in the Open Pathway wherein all Criteria for Accreditation have been satisfied without any need for monitoring.

In all other cases, the team shall recommend whether to continue the institution’s accreditation and may, based on its evaluation of the evidence, indicate whether routine interim monitoring is warranted under HLC policy. The team may also recommend that evidence warrants the imposition of a sanction, the issuance of a Show-Cause Order, or withdrawal of accreditation.

In exceptional circumstances, a team may extend the mid-cycle Assurance Review in Year 4 to require a visit to explore uncertainties in the evidence that cannot be resolved without a visit. If the Year 4 review team calls for such a visit, the team conveys to the institution the reasons for the required visit, including any additional evidence required, and identifies any individuals or groups with which the team will meet during the visit. The resulting recommendations, along with the team’s written report and the institution’s responses, shall be forwarded to an HLC decision-making body for review and action.

Recommendations for HLC Action for Reaffirmation of Accreditation

The team conducting a comprehensive evaluation for reaffirmation of accreditation shall, in its written report, recommend whether to reaffirm the institution’s accreditation. The team may also determine that, while the institution’s accreditation should be reaffirmed, routine monitoring or the imposition of the sanction of Notice is warranted. Finally, the team may recommend that an institution’s accreditation not be reaffirmed but rather, that the sanction of Probation be imposed, a Show-Cause Order be issued, or accreditation be withdrawn.

Policy History

Last Revised or Edited: October 2024
First Adopted: June 2012
History:* revised November 2012 (policies combined, see note); revised June 2014; revised November 2018; revised June 2020; edited February 2021; revised February 2022; revised October 2024
Notes: Policies combined November 2012: 1A.3.1, 1A.3.2.

* In the history, “revised” indicates that the HLC Board of Trustees adopted changes to the policy, and “edited” indicates that HLC staff made technical amendments or minor editorial revisions that did not require formal Board approval.