November 2023 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 November 2023 are published below and/or on the institution’s Statement of Accreditation Status in the HLC Directory of Institutions.

Board Actions, November 2 IAC Actions, November 13–14

Board of Trustees

The Higher Learning Commission’s Board of Trustees took the following actions on November 2, 2023.

Arizona

University of Phoenix, Approved the continuation of accreditation related to the application for Change of Control, Structure or Organization wherein Four Three Education, Inc., through an Asset Purchase Agreement, acquires substantially all of the assets of the institution, thereby becoming the superordinate entity of the institution.

Colorado

Nazarene Bible College, Removed from Probation.

Illinois

Judson University, Approved the continuation of accreditation related to the application for Change of Control, Structure or Organization wherein the institution, through an Asset Purchase Agreement, acquires Ambria College of Nursing, with the intent of ultimately merging/consolidating Ambria College of Nursing within its structure and HLC accreditation. This was the first phase of two phases of approval.

Lewis University and Saint Augustine College, Approved the continuation of accreditation of both institutions related to the application for Change of Control, Structure or Organization wherein Lewis University, through an Agreement and Plan of Merger, acquires Saint Augustine College, with the intent of ultimately merging/consolidating Saint Augustine College within its structure and HLC accreditation. This was the first phase of two phases of approval.

Morton College, Placed on Notice.
Institution notified November 8, 2023. Information for the public posted on November 9, 2023.

Taylor Business Institute, Removed from Notice.

Kansas

Dodge City Community College, Continued accreditation.

Missouri

Southwest Baptist University, Removed from Probation.

Nebraska

Midland University, Continued accreditation.

Ohio

Eastern Gateway Community College, Extended Probation.
Institution notified November 8, 2023. Information for the public posted on November 9, 2023.

Wilberforce University, Placed on Notice.
Institution notified November 8, 2023. Information for the public posted on November 9, 2023.

Institutional Actions Council

The Higher Learning Commission’s Institutional Actions Council took the following actions on November 13–14, 2023.

Arizona

Certificate Approval

Northland Pioneer College, AZ

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the following certificate programs:
    • Physical Health & Performance CAS (38 credit hours, pre-associates certificate, CIP Code 51.0913)
    • Personal Training & Rehabilitation CP (24 credit hours, pre-associates certificate, CIP Code 51.0913)
    • Sports Medicine CP (24 credit hours, pre-associates certificate, CIP Code 51.0913)
    • Behavioral Health Technician CAS (44 credit hours, pre-associates certificate, CIP Code 51.1502)
    • Behavioral Health CP (22 credit hours, pre-associates certificate, CIP Code 51.1502)

Pima County Community College District, AZ

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the following certificate program:
    • Nondestructive Testing, Penetrant Level II Certification (22 credit hours, pre-associates certificate, CIP Code 41.0204)

Assurance Review

Arizona Western College, Yuma, AZ

  • Accepted the team report.

Approval of Request for Change

Eastern Arizona College, Thatcher, AZ

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the following programs:
    • Bachelor of Music in Music Education (120 credit hours, CIP Code 13.1312)
    • Bachelor of Science in Health Science (120 credit hours, CIP Code 51.0701)

Sonoran University of Health Sciences, Tempe, AZ

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (90 quarter credit hours, CIP Code 51.1508)
  • Approved the institution’s request for a change in mission in relation to offering a third program at a new degree level.

Arkansas

Certificate Approval

Lyon College, AR

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the following certificate program:
    • Graduate Certificate in Teaching Deaf or Hard of Hearing Students (24 credit hours, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, CIP Code 13.1003)

Approval of Request for Change

Black River Technical College, Pocahontas, AR

  • Approved the institution’s request to open an additional location: The GIN, 200-212 N. Pruett Street, Paragould, AR 72450.

Colorado

Certificate Approval

Community College of Denver, Denver, CO

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the following certificate program:
    • EMT/Paramedic (12 credit hours, pre-associates certificate, CIP Code 51.0904)

Assurance Review

Lamar Community College, Lamar, CO

  • Accepted the team report.

Approval of Request for Change

Colorado State University-Pueblo, Pueblo, CO

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Master of Education (CIP Code 13.0101) through a contractual relationship with A+ Advancement for Educators, Affordable Credits for Teachers, The Connected Classroom, CPD Classes, Credits for Teachers, Education Technology Specialist, EduCalc Learning, Educators Academy, and I FireUp.
  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Master of Education (CIP Code 13.0101) through a contractual relationship with Music ConstructED, NorthStar, One Step Ahead, Orton-Gillingham Nation, Schoolhouse Consultants, Siedow Teacher Education, Simply Me, Student Services Academy, and Teacher’s Learn and Earn.
  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Master of Education (CIP Code 13.0101) through a contractual relationship with Teacher’s Learning Center, The Educator’s Place, The Learning Tree, The Modern Classroom Projects, Teacher’s Professional Advancement Institute, TheraCourse, Therapy Advance, and World Language PD.
  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Master of Education (CIP Code 13.0101) through a contractual relationship with Idioma Education and Consulting, Innovations for Ed, The Institute for Real World Teaching and Learning, Instructional Concepts, Jim Place Services, Landmark School Outreach Program, Lifetime Learning: Continuing Education for Teachers, Literacy Bin, and Midwest Teachers Institute.

Northeastern Junior College, Sterling, CO

  • Approved the institution’s request to open an additional location: District 6 CTE Center, 1420 2nd Street, Greeley, CO 80631.

Otero College, La Junta, CO

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer distance education courses and programs.

Pikes Peak State College, Colorado Springs, CO

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Associate of Applied Sciences in Dental Hygiene (90 credit hours, CIP Code 51.0602).

Illinois

Certificate Approval

Moraine Valley Community College, IL

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the following certificate program:
    • Cloud Networking and Virtualization Certificate (16 credit hours, pre-associates certificate, CIP Code 11.0902)

Assurance Review

Monmouth College, Monmouth, IL

  • Accepted the team report

Staff Action

Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences, Rock Island, IL

  • Approved the staff recommendation.

Focused Visit

Methodist College, Peoria, IL

  • Affirmed that the institution is addressing the concerns related to the appropriateness of the approval and the institution’s compliance with any commitments made in the Change of Control application and the Criteria for Accreditation or other requirements specifically articulated by the Board.

Approval of Request for Change

Chamberlain University, Addison, IL

  • Approved the institution’s request to close the Chamberlain University College of Nursing – Phoenix – Branch Campus at 2149 W. Dunlap Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85021, and open a new branch campus at 20410 N 19th Avenue, 1st Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85027

Moraine Valley Community College, Palos Hills, IL

  • Approved the institution’s request to gain access to the Notification Program for Additional Locations.

National Louis University, Chicago, IL

  • Approved the institution’s request for a reduction of credit hours in the Educational Specialist degree in Teaching and Learning from 52 to 33 (CIP Code 13.0301).

Indiana

Staff Action

Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN

  • Approved the staff recommendation.

Approval of Request for Change

DePauw University, Greencastle, IN

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer distance education courses and programs.

Purdue University Northwest, Hammond, IN

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Doctor of Psychology (120 credit hours, CIP Code 42.2801).
  • Approved the institution’s request for a change in student body in relation to offering a third program at a new degree level.

Taylor University, Upland, IN

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Master of Arts in Leadership (30 credit hours, CIP Code 52.0213).
  • Approved the institution’s request for a change in student body in relation to offering a third program at a new degree level.

University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne, IN

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Doctor of Medical Science (36 credit hours, CIP Code 51.0912).
  • Approved the institution’s request for a change in student body in relation to offering a third program at a new degree level.

Iowa

Assurance Review

Western Iowa Tech Community College, Sioux City, IA

  • Accepted the team report.

Staff Action

Allen College, Waterloo, IA

  • Approved the staff recommendation.

Approval of Request for Change

Grand View University, Des Moines, IA

  • Approved the institution’s request for a change in student body in relation to offering a third program at a new degree level.

Luther College, Decorah, IA

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer distance education courses and programs.

North Iowa Area Community College, Mason City, IA

  • Approved the institution’s request to open an additional location: Osage Municipal Utilities, 720 Chestnut Street, Osage, IA 50461.

Kansas

Reaffirmation of Accreditation

Neosho County Community College, Chanute, KS

Approval of Request for Change

Benedictine College, Atchison, KS

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the following programs:
    • Master of Arts in Classical Education (36 credit hours, CIP Code 13.0101)
    • Master of Arts in Classical Leadership (36 credit hours, CIP Code 13.0401)

Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology, Wichita, KS

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Associate of Applied Science in Para Educator (60 credit hours, CIP Code 13.1501).

Michigan

Approval of Request for Change

Oakland University, Rochester, MI

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity (128 credit hours, CIP Code 11.1003).

University of Detroit Mercy, Detroit, MI

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Doctor of Optometry (210 credit hours, CIP Code 51.1701).

Minnesota

Assurance Review

Mayo Clinic of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN

  • Accepted the team report.

Approval of Request for Change

Walden University, Minneapolis, MN

  • Approved the institution’s request to convert from a semester-based credit hour model to a quarter-based credit hour model for 14 degree programs and 30 certificate programs.

Denial of Request for Change

Winona State University, Winona, MN

  • Denied the institution’s request to offer the Master of Arts in Child and Adolescent Studies (33 credit hours, CIP Code 19.0706).

Missouri

Approval of Request for Change

Columbia College, Columbia, MO

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the following programs:
    • Master of Social Work (36-66 credit hours, CIP Code 44.0701).
    • Education Specialist in Educational Administration (30 credit hours, CIP Code 13.0401).

Webster University, St. Louis, MO

  • Approved the institution’s request to close the additional location: Webster University – Ghana, Luanda Close, East Legon, Accra, Ghana

Nebraska

Approval of Request for Change

Little Priest Tribal College, Winnebago, NE

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer distance education courses and programs.

New Mexico

Certificate Approval

Western New Mexico University, NM

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the following certificate program:
    • Yoga Teacher Training Certificate (12 credit hours, pre-associates certificate, CIP Code 51.3602).

Reaffirmation of Accreditation

Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, Albuquerque, NM

Multi-Location Visit

Mesalands Community College, Tucumcari, NM

  • Approved the team report.

Approval of Request for Change

Navajo Technical University, Crownpoint, NM

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (33 credit hours, CIP Code 14.1001).
  • Approved the institution’s request for a change in student body in relation to offering a third program at a new degree level.

New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Transborder and Global Human Dynamics (67 semester credit hours, CIP Code 30.2001).

North Dakota

Approval of Request for Change

Bismarck State College, Bismarck, ND

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Associate of Applied Science in Heavy Equipment Operations (60 semester hours, CIP Code 49.0202).

Dakota College at Bottineau, Bottineau, ND

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene (64 credit hours, CIP Code 51.0602).

Ohio

Certificate Approval

Hocking College, OH

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the following certificate program:
    • Expanded Functions Dental Auxiliary (15 credit hours, pre-associates certificate, CIP Code 51.0699).

Reaffirmation of Accreditation

Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Cincinnati, OH

Approval of Request for Change

Central Ohio Technical College, Newark, OH

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing as a credit-based competency-based education (CBE) program (60 credit hours, CIP Code 51.3801).

Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, OH

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer a certificate in Programming and Development as a credit-based competency-based education (CBE) program (32 credit hours, CIP Code 11.0201).

Defiance College, Defiance, OH

  • Approved the institution’s Provisional Plan.

James A. Rhodes State College, Lima, OH

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (122 credit hours, CIP Code 51.3801).

Mount Carmel College of Nursing, OH

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer correspondence education courses.

Union Institute & University, Cincinnati, OH

  • Approved the institution’s Provisional Plan.

Walsh University, North Canton, OH

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Bachelor of Science in Professional Aviation (124 credit hours, CIP Code 49.0101).
  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Bachelor of Science in Professional Aviation through a contractual arrangement with American Winds College of Aeronautics.

Denial of Request for Change

Davis University, Toledo, OH

  • Denied the institution’s request to offer the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing (109 quarter credit hours, CIP Code 51.3108).

Oklahoma

Certificate Approval

Murray State College, OK

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the following certificate program:
    • Veterinary Assistant Certificate (8 credit hours, pre-associates certificate, CIP Code 01.8301).

Focused Visit

Northeastern Oklahoma A & M College, Miami, OK

  • Affirmed that the institution has demonstrated sufficient evidence that it has addressed the concerns related to student learning assessment and planning and allocation of resources.

Approval of Request for Change

Murray State College, Tishomingo, OK

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Bachelor of Applied Technology in Gunsmithing (122 credit hours, CIP Code 47.0402).

Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology-Okmulgee, Okmulgee, OK

  • Approved the institution’s request to open an additional location: Oklahoma State University-Tulsa (OSU-Tulsa), 700 North Greenwood Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74106.

Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City, OK

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the following programs:
    • Bachelor of Technology in Information Technologies with options in Software Development and Cybersecurity (122 credit hours, CIP Code 11.0103).
    • Bachelor of Technology in Engineering Technologies with options in Automation and Industrial Engineering (120-121 credit hours, CIP Code 15.0000).
  • Approved the institution’s request for a change in student body in relation to offering a third program at a new degree level.

South Dakota

Staff Action

Sinte Gleska University, Mission, SD

  • Accepted the staff recommendation.

Approval of Request for Change

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, SD

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer correspondence education courses.

West Virginia

Approval of Request for Change

Concord University, Athens, WV

  • Approved the institution’s Provisional Plan to teach out the Master of Science in Athletic Training program.

University of Charleston, The, Charleston, WV

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) through a contractual arrangement with Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC).

Wisconsin

Certificate Approval

Mid-State Technical College, WI

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the following certificate program:
    • Dental Assistant – Short Term (16 credit hours, pre-associates certificate, CIP Code 51.0601).

Northcentral Technical College, WI

  • Approved the institution’s request to offer the following certificate program:
    • Sterile Processing Technician (3 credit hours, pre-associates certificate, CIP Code 51.1012).

Assurance Review

Lakeland University, Plymouth, WI

  • Accepted the team report.

Approval of Request for Change

Lakeland University, Plymouth, WI

  • Approved the institution’s teach out of the additional location: Chippewa Valley Center, 770 Schneidler Road, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729.

Questions?

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