|
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent corporation and one of two commission members of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), which is one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The Higher Learning Commission accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region.
Recent NewsRegistration for the Annual Conference is OpenThe coming months will bring some significant changes in the accreditation relationship. In September 2012, many institutions will begin the transition into the new Pathways model for maintaining accreditation. On January 1, 2013, the new Criteria for Accreditation will be effective for member institutions. The 2012 Annual Conference will offer a variety of opportunities to gain information about both of these important initiatives. New information about the Pathways model became available December 2011. This interim update reflects changes to the Standard Pathway. Institutional Update to Open March 5Each year, the Commission requires each member institution to provide an update on organizational health through the Institutional Update (formerly AIDU). The 2011-2012 Institutional Update is filed online; access to the Update will begin on March 5 and will close on April 13, 2012. Commission Endorses New Guidelines on AssessmentThe Higher Learning Commission has endorsed new guidelines, Committing to Quality: Guidelines for Assessment and Accountability, published by the New Leadership Alliance for Student Learning and Accountability. The guidelines help colleges and universities in improving the quality of a college degree by asking them to set clear goals for student achievement, regularly gather and use evidence that measures performance against those goals, report evidence of student learning, and continuously work to improve results. Committing to Quality: Guidelines for Assessment and Accountability is available for download. Hard copies will be available at no cost at the 2012 Higher Learning Commission Annual Conference. Commission's Gamma Version of Proposed Revisions to the Criteria for AccreditationThe Commission has posted the Gamma version of the proposed revisions to the Criteria for Accreditation, including the Assumed Practices and Obligations of Affiliation. The Delta version will come before the HLC Board for second reading in February 2012. For the current versions of these documents, visit: Report of November Board ActionsProposed Policy ChangesThe Board approved on first reading the following proposed revised policies. The Commission invites comments on these proposed policies before the Board takes final action in February 2012. Comments can be sent to policycomments@hlcommission.org. Comments must be received by January 9, 2012. Adopted Policy ChangesThe Board adopted the following revised policies. They are effective immediately. Updated Information on Credit Hour PolicyThe Commission has published information on Commission expectations for institutions and teams related to the new federally-mandated policy on the credit hour and updates related to the Federal Compliance Program. They are effective for visits beginning January 1, 2012. Institutional ActionsThe Board of Trustees took action on a number of institutions. These actions will be posted on the Commission’s Web site once the institutions have been notified. Audit ApprovedThe Board of Trustees received and accepted the Fiscal Year 2011 independent auditors’ report. Frequently Asked QuestionsQuestions? Explore an extensive list of HLC Frequently Asked Questions. |
|
