Criteria for Accreditation

The Higher Learning Commission recently revised its criteria that govern the accreditation process for colleges and universities. Begun in 2009, this review included surveys, seminars, and forums focused on improving the guidelines for member schools—maintaining breadth and flexibility for diverse institutions while addressing a need for greater specificity.

Linked below is the final version of the commission's Criteria for Accreditation,
adopted in February 2012.

• Criterion One—Mission
  
• Criterion Two—Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct
  
• Criterion Three—Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support
  
• Criterion Four—Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement
  
• Criterion Five—Resources, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness