Higher Learning Commission Accreditation Process Update

Overview Changes in the accreditation process  Open Pathway  Significant differences  New Timelines Quality Assurance HLC QA System Revised Criteria Quality Initiative Questions

Open Pathway Replaces PEAQ Verifies that we are:  Meeting threshold standards  Quality Assurance Criteria for Accreditation  Engaged in continuous improvement  Quality Initiative

Significant Changes Previously:  Annual institutional updates and monitoring of financial and non-financial indicators  Self-study prior to Comprehensive Evaluation  Hard copy report for evaluation team  On-site Comprehensive Evaluation every 10 years

New Timelines Now:  Two separate timelines  Quality Assurance  Quality Initiative

Timelines

Quality Assurance Timeline Annual institutional updates and monitoring of financial and non-financial indicators Electronic submission of all files Quality Assurance Review in year 10 Argument and supporting evidence submitted to HLC electronic Assurance System Argument limited to 35,000 words

Quality Assurance Timeline Note: we’re entering the timeline mid-stream

Quality Assurance Timeline Annual institutional updates and monitoring of financial and non-financial indicators Electronic submission of all files Assurance Review in year 4

Quality Assurance Timeline

Annual institutional updates and monitoring of financial and non-financial indicators Electronic submission of all files Assurance Review in year 4 No formalized self-study On-site Comprehensive Evaluation in year 10

Revised Criteria for Accreditation Mission (formerly Mission & Integrity) Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct (Preparing for the Future) Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support (Student Learning and Effective Teaching) Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement (Acquisition, Discovery, and Application of Knowledge) Resources, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness (Engagement and Service)

Quality Initiative Required to undertake a major QI designed to suit our present concerns or aspirations.  Can continue an initiative already in progress or achieve a key milestone in the work of a longer initiative  Must have scope and significance

Quality Initiative Timeline

Summary Different process for accreditation  New timelines  Quality Assurance Argument New Criteria New process of submitting evidence files  Quality Initiative Project Using outcomes of assessment to improve student learning

Questions?