February 2026 Actions

HLC’s Board of Trustees, Institutional Actions Council (IAC) and staff take actions on institutional evaluations, requests from institutions for approval of substantive changes, and other aspects of the accreditation relationship.

HLC posts all institutional actions within 30 days after the action is taken. Actions taken during February 2026 are published below and/or on the institution’s Statement of Accreditation Status in the HLC Directory of Institutions.

On This Page

IAC Actions, February 17-18 Board Actions, February 26 Staff Actions

Institutional Actions Council

The Higher Learning Commission’s Institutional Actions Council took the following actions on February 17-18, 2026.

Arizona

Certificate Program Approvals

Arizona Western College, AZ

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the following certificate programs:
    • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (Pre-Associate’s Certificate, 30 credit hours, CIP code 11.0102)
    • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Level-1 (Pre-Associate’s Certificate, 15 credit hours, CIP code 11.0102)
    • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Level-2 (Pre-Associate’s Certificate, 15 credit hours, CIP code 11.0102)

Focused Visit

Diné College, Tsaile, AZ

  • Affirmed that the institution is addressing the concerns related to assessment of student learning.

Staff Action Recommendation

Phoenix Seminary, Scottsdale, AZ

  • Accepted the staff recommendation to postpone the Comprehensive Evaluation from 2026-27 to 2027-28.

Approval of Request for Change

Central Arizona College, Coolidge, AZ

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Associate of Applied Science in Plumbing Technician (62 credit hours, CIP code 48.0503).

Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Education Specialist in School Psychology (65 credit hours, CIP code 42.2805).

Pima County Community College District, Tucson, AZ

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Bachelor of Arts in Education (120 credit hours, CIP code 13.1001).

Yavapai College, Prescott, AZ

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety Administration in a reduced-credit format.
  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Bachelor of Design in Visual Design (reduced-credit format, 94 credit hours, CIP code 50.0401).

Arkansas

 Campus Evaluation Visit

Lyon College, Batesville, AR

  • Affirmed the quality of the branch campus at School of Dental Medicine, 1 Allied Drive, Building 5, Little Rock, AR 72201

Approval of Request for Change

Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management Systems (CIP code 15.1501); Bachelor of Science in Digital Technology & Design (CIP code 9.0999); Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (CIP code 11.0101); Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (CIP code 42.0101), Bachelor of Special Education (K-12) (CIP code 13.1099); and Master of Special Education in Educational Leadership  (CIP code 13.0408) through a contractual arrangement with Global Studies Institute.

Colorado

Certificate Program Approvals

Colorado State University-Global Campus, CO

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the following certificate program:
    • Medical Billing and Coding (Bachelor Certificate, 28 credit hours, CIP code 51.0714)

Approval of Request for Change

Colorado Christian University, Lakewood, CO

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Doctor of Nursing Practice with the following tracks:
    • Family Nurse Practitioner/Transformational Leadership (67 credit hours, CIP code 51.3818)
    • Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner/Transformational Leadership (67 credit hours, CIP code 51.3818)
    • Nurse Educator/Transformational Leadership (63 credit hours, CIP code 51.3817)

Western Colorado University, Gunnison, CO

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (128 credit hours, CIP code 51.3801).

Illinois

Reaffirmation of Accreditation

City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College, Chicago, IL

  • Continued and reaffirmed the institution’s accreditation.

Approval of Request for Change

Adler University, Chicago, IL

  • Approved the institution’s request to open an additional location: Logan Correctional Center, 1096 1350th St, Lincoln, IL 626556

Chamberlain University, Addison, IL

  • Approved the institution’s request to open the following branch campuses:
    • Chamberlain University-Utah Campus, 9490 S 300 W., Sandy, UT 84070
    • Chamberlain University-Cincinnati Campus, 5905 E. Galbraith Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45236

Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL

  • Approved the institution’s request to open an additional location: Stevenson High School, 1 Stevenson Dr, Lincolnshire, IL 60069

Indiana

Approval of Request for Change

Marian University, Indianapolis, IN

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Master of Science in Engineering Management (30 credit hours, CIP code 15.1501).

University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne, IN

  • Approved the institution’s request to open an additional location: University of Saint Francis Lafayette, 1415 Salem Street, Lafayette, IN 47904

Kansas

Staff Action Recommendation

Colby Community College, Colby, KS

  • Approved the institution’s request to update the PEP stipulation to reflect a name change for a PEP program: Associate of Applied Science in Alternative Energy – Prison Education Program.

Approval of Request for Change

Central Christian College of Kansas, McPherson, KS

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Technology (120 credit hours, CIP code 15.0613).

University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Master of Science in Education of Learning Design as a direct assessment competency-based education program (30 credit hours, CIP code 13.0501).

Michigan

Certificate Program Approvals

Adrian College, MI

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the following certificate program:
    • AI and the Future of Work (Pre-Associate’s Certificate, 12 credit hours, CIP code 11.0102)

Staff Action Recommendation

Spring Arbor University, Spring Arbor, MI

  • Accepted the staff recommendation to require the institution to provide an interim report.

Approval of Request for Change

College for Creative Studies, Detroit, MI

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Bachelor of Arts in Business for Creative Industries in a reduced-credit format.

Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing, MI

  • Approved the institution’s request to close the branch campus at 9445 Camden Field Parkway, Riverview, FL 33578 and re-open at 12906 Tampa Oaks Boulevard, Temple Terrace, FL 33637.

Denial of Request for Change

Cleary University, Howell, MI

  • Denied the institution’s request to offer the Doctor of Business Administration (45 credit hours, CIP code 52.0201).

Minnesota

Certificate Program Approvals

Alexandria Technical and Community College, MN

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the following certificate program:
    • Data Analytics & AI (Pre-Associate’s Certificate, 16 credit hours, CIP code 30.7001)

St. Cloud State University, MN

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the following certificate program:
    • Healthcare and Administration (Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, 12 credit hours, CIP code 51.0701)

Reaffirmation of Accreditation

Macalester College, Saint Paul, MN

  • Continued and reaffirmed the institution’s accreditation.

Approval of Request for Change

Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall, MN

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Master of Social Work with two pathways: Traditional Standing (54 credit hours) and Advanced Standing (30 credit hours) (CIP code 44.0701).

Walden University, Minneapolis, MN

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders (181 credit hours, CIP code 51.0201).
  • Approved the institution’s request to decrease the credit hours for the Doctor of Psychology in Behavioral Health Leadership (CIP code 42.2899), from 83/98 to 56 credit hours.

Missouri

 Comprehensive Evaluation

Graduate School of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO

  • Continued and reaffirmed the institution’s accreditation.

Reaffirmation of Accreditation

Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO

  • Continued and reaffirmed the institution’s accreditation.

Approval of Request for Change

Maryville University of St. Louis, St. Louis, MO

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Associate of Art in General Studies (60 credit hours, CIP code 24.0102).

Saint Louis Community College, St. Louis, MO

  • Approved the institution’s request to increase the credit hours for the Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene (CIP code 51.0602) from 73 to 97 credit hours.

Denial of Request for Change

Evangel University of the Assemblies of God, Springfield, MO

  • Denied the institution’s request to offer the Master of Science in Agriculture (36 credit hours, CIP code 01.0000).

Nebraska

Reaffirmation of Accreditation

University of Nebraska-Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, Curtis, NE

  • Continued and reaffirmed the institution’s accreditation.

New Mexico

Reaffirmation of Accreditation

Northern New Mexico College, Espanola, NM

  • Continued and reaffirmed the institution’s accreditation.

Focused Visit

Luna Community College, Las Vegas, NM

  • Affirmed that the institution has demonstrated sufficient evidence that it has addressed the concerns related assessment, program review, budget/finances and planning.

Approval of Request for Change

San Juan College, Farmington, NM

  • Approved the institution’s request to participate in the Notification Program for Additional Locations within the United States.

Southeast New Mexico College, Carlsbad, NM

  • Approved the institution’s request to open an additional location: Artesia High School, 1002 W Richardson Ave, Artesia, NM 88210

North Dakota

Certificate Program Approvals

Bismarck State College, ND

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the following certificate program:
    • Nonprofit Management (Pre-Associate’s Certificate, 16 credit hours, CIP code 52.0206)

Approval of Request for Change

Mayville State University, Mayville, ND

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (121 credit hours, CIP code 51.3801).

Ohio

Reaffirmation of Accreditation

University of Northwestern Ohio, Lima, OH

  • Continued and reaffirmed the institution’s accreditation.

Approval of Request for Change

James A. Rhodes State College, Lima, OH

  • Approved the institution’s request to decrease the credit hours for the Program Management Certificate (CIP code 52.0211) from 16 to 8 credit hours.

Sinclair Community College, Dayton, OH

  • Approved the institution’s request to increase the credit hours for the Short-term Certificate in Pastry Specialist (CIP code 12.0501) from 11 to 22 credit hours.

Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH

  • Approved the institution’s request to change the length of terms from 16 to 15-week semesters.

Oklahoma

Approval of Request for Change

Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, OK

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Bachelor of Applied Science in Health Sciences in a reduced-credit format.

West Virginia

Focused Visit

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College, Logan, WV

  • Affirmed that the institution is addressing the concerns related to Criterion Two, Core Component 2.A (Integrity/Ethics) and Core Component 2.C. (Board Governance).

Approval of Request for Change

Davis and Elkins College, Elkins, WV

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Master of Arts in Literacy Education, Reading Specialist Certification (32 credit hours, CIP code 13.1315).

West Liberty University, West Liberty, WV

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling (60 credit hours, CIP code 51.1508).

Wisconsin

Certificate Program Approvals

College of Menominee Nation, WI

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the following certificate program:
    • Special Education (Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, 18 credit hours, CIP code 13.1001)

Madison Area Technical College, WI

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the following certificate program:
    • Barber (Bachelor Certificate, 26 credit hours, CIP code 12.0402)

Reaffirmation of Accreditation

University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, WI

  • Continued and reaffirmed the institution’s accreditation.

Approval of Request for Change

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Doctorate of Social Work (39 credit hours, CIP code 44.0701).

University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Platteville, WI

  • Approved the teach-out of a branch campus: UW Platteville Baraboo/Sauk County, 1006 Connie Rd, Baraboo, Wisconsin

Board of Trustees

The Higher Learning Commission’s Board of Trustees took the following actions on February 26, 2026.

New Mexico 

Mesalands Community College, Removed from Probation and continued and reaffirmed accreditation with monitoring. 

North Dakota  

Dickinson State University, Continued and reaffirmed the institution’s accreditation. 

West Virginia and Minnesota  

American Public University System and Rasmussen University, Approved the continuation of accreditation after Phase 1 of the Change of Control, Structure, or Organization wherein American Public University System and Rasmussen University, together with Hondros College of Nursing, undergo a series of legal mergers within their common superordinate entity, with the intent of consolidating the three institutions thereafter into a single HLC-accredited institution, which will operate as a system. 

Staff Actions

Higher Learning Commission staff members took the following actions during February 2026.

Colorado

University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO

  • Additional Location Confirmation Visit: Accepted the peer reviewer report on the Pell-eligible prison education program at Sterling Correctional Facility, 12101 CO 61, Sterling, Colorado 80751. (Approved February 11, 2026)

Illinois

Black Hawk College, Moline, IL

  • Multi-location Visit: Accepted the peer reviewer report on the following additional locations (Approved February 20, 2026):
    • Rock Island High School, 1400 25th St., Rock Island, Illinois 61201
    • United Township High School, 1275 Avenue of the Cities, East Moline, Illinois 61244

DePaul University, Chicago, IL

  • Multi-location Visit: Accepted the peer reviewer report on the following additional locations (Approved February 6, 2026):
    • Harper College University Center, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine, Illinois 6067
    • University Center of Lake County, 1200 University Center Drive, Grayslake, Illinois 60030

Parkland College, Champaign, IL

  • Multi-location Visit: Accepted the peer reviewer report on the following additional locations (Approved February 20, 2026):
    • Construction Education Alliance, 1307 N. Mattis, Champaign, Illinois 61821
    • Gibson Area Hospital (GAH) Annex, 209 E. 8th Street, Gibson City, Illinois 60936

Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, IL 

  • Approved the institution’s teach-out agreement with the following institution (Approved February 5, 2026):
    • Governors State University, University Park, IL 

Indiana

Indiana University East, Richmond, IN

  • Additional Location Confirmation Visit: Accepted the peer reviewer report on the additional location at Blue River Valley High School, 4741 Viking Trail, New Castle, Indiana 47362. (Approved February 12, 2026)

Indiana University East, Richmond, IN

  • Additional Location Confirmation Visit: Accepted the peer reviewer report on the additional location at Seton Catholic High School, 233 S 5th St., Richmond, Indiana 47374. (Approved February 12, 2026)

Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, IN

  • Additional Location Confirmation Visit: Accepted the peer reviewer report on the Pell-eligible prison education program at Plainfield Correctional Facility, Plainfield Correctional Facility, 727 Moon Road, Plainfield, Indiana 46168. (Approved February 17, 2026)

Kansas

Donnelly College, Kansas City, KS

  • Additional Location Confirmation Visit: Accepted the peer reviewer report on the Pell-eligible prison education program at Lansing Correctional Facility, 301 E. Kansas St., Lansing, Kansas 66043. (Approved February 6, 2026)

University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth, KS

  • Additional Location Confirmation Visit: Accepted the peer reviewer report on the Pell-eligible prison education program at Lansing Correctional Facility, 301 East Kansas Ave, Lansing, Kansas 66043. (Approved February 17, 2026)

Michigan

Charles Stewart Mott Community College, Flint, MI

  • Additional Location Confirmation Visit: Accepted the peer reviewer report on the Pell-eligible prison education program at Thumb Correctional Facility, 3225 John Conley Dr., Lapeer, Michigan 48446. (Approved February 17, 2026)

Wayne State University, Detroit, MI

  • Additional Location Confirmation Visit: Accepted the peer reviewer report on the Pell-eligible prison education program at Macomb Correctional Facility, 34625 26 Mile Rd., Lenox, Michigan 48048. (Approved February 2, 2026)

Missouri

Avila University, Kansas City, MO

  • Additional Location Confirmation Visit: Accepted the peer reviewer report on the additional location at Avila University-Arizona, Gen 1 at GSQ, 15150 West Park Place, Goodyear, Arizona 85395. (Approved February 13, 2026)

Central Methodist University, Fayette, MO

  • Multi-location Visit: Accepted the peer reviewer report on the following additional locations (Approved February 6, 2026):
    • CMU — Trenton, 1301 Main St., Trenton, Missouri 64683
    • CMU at State Fair Community College, 3201 W 16th Street, Sedalia, Missouri 65301-2199
    • CMU at East Central College, 1964 Prairie Dell Rd, Union, Missouri 63084
    • Farmington Correctional Center, 1012 West Columbia Street, Farmington, Missouri 63640
    • Crossroads Correctional Center, 1115 East Pence Road, Cameron, Missouri 64429
    • Jefferson City Correctional Center, 8200 No More Victims Road, Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
    • South Central Correctional Center, 255 West Highway 32, Licking, Missouri 65542
    • Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center, 1101 East Highway 54, Vandalia, Missouri 63382

Saint Charles Community College, Cottleville, MO

  • Additional Location Confirmation Visit: Accepted the peer reviewer report on the additional location at Innovation West Campus (IWC), 2400 Interstate Dr, Wentzville, Missouri 63385. (Approved February 5, 2026)

North Dakota

University of Mary, Bismarck, ND

  • Multi-location Visit: Accepted the peer reviewer report on the following additional locations (Approved February 6, 2026):
    • Mary College at ASU, 230 East University, Tempe, Arizona 85281
    • Fargo Butler Center, 1351 Page Dr., Fargo, North Dakota 58103

Ohio

Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH

  • Multi-location Visit: Accepted the peer reviewer report on the following additional locations (Approved February 20, 2026):
    • Buckeye Central High School, 938 S Kibler St., New Washington, Ohio 44854
    • Huron High School, 710 Cleveland Rd. W, Huron, Ohio 44839
    • Anthony Wayne High School, 5967 Finzel Rd., Whitehouse, Ohio 43571

West Virginia

Salem University, Salem, WV

  • Additional Location Confirmation Visit: Accepted the peer reviewer report on the additional location at Salem University Indianapolis, 8500 Keystone Crossing Suite 310, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240. (Approved February 17, 2026)

Questions?

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