HLC- Higher Learning Commission

The Higher Learning Commission(HLC) is an independent and non-profit organization established in 1895 and it is one of the six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.

Higher Learning Commission provides accreditation for degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central Region and it is assigned as Regional Accrediting Institution by The United States Department of Education and The Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

                                                                                                                                                    Source: www.memegenerator.net

The HLC accredits online colleges and universities in areas such as Midwestern and South-central states like Arizona, Missouri, Arkansas, Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, Illinois, North Dakota and more.

Programs and Events held by HLC

• Annual Conference: It is held annually in the spring in Chicago, the conference offers learning, professional development and networking opportunities for HLC members.

• HLC Academies: These are the programs that are aimed at helping institutions to define, develop and implement strong strategies for institutional development.

• HLC Workshops: It’s hands-on workshops stimulate professional improvement and institutional development efforts.

What are the guiding values for HLC?

Higher Learning Commission’s criteria for accreditation reflect a set of guiding values which are as mentioned below.

• Focus on student learning

• Integrity, transparency, and ethical behavior or practice

• Education as a public purpose

• Governance for the well-being of the institution

• Education for a diverse, technological, globally connected world Planning and management of resources to ensure institutional sustainability

• A culture of continuous improvement

• Mission-centered evaluation

• Evidence-based institutional learning and self-presentation Accreditation through peer review 

Eligibility requirements of HLC

An institution should essentially satisfy the below-mentioned eligibility requirements before it is approved a candidate status. During eligibility filing,  an institution must present evidence that it meets all the requirements before a site visit. The requirements are tabulated below.

Eligibility Requirements
Jurisdiction of the Commission	Learning Resources
Legal Status	Student Support Services
Governing Board	Planning
Stability	Policies and Procedures
Mission Statement	Current Activity
Educational Programs	The integrity of Business and Academic Operations
Information to the Public	The consistency of Description Among Agencies
Financial Capacity	Accreditation Record
Administration	Good Faith and Planning to Achieve Accreditation

Eligibility Seeking Process of HLC

In Seeking Accreditation, an institution may not publicly indicate that it is seeking status with HLC until just prior to being granted Candidacy. An institution does not hold any status with HLC until it is granted Candidacy. Here is a step by step process to seek eligibility and accreditation. 

• Letter of Inquiry with Preliminary Evidence

• Preliminary Evidence Review and Response

• Pre-application Interview

• Post-interview Letter

• Letter of Intent to Submit Eligibility Filing

• Institutional Submission of the Eligibility Filing

• Eligibility Review

• Letter on Eligibility

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Higher Learning Commission Accredited Universities

Here, we have mentioned a few universities that are accredited by HLC and have benefited by it.

• Dickinson State University

• Indiana State University

• East Central University

• Arizona State University

• Doane University

• Colorado Technical University

• Ferris State University

• Walden University

• Fontbonne University

• University of Phoenix

• Fort Hays State University

• National American University

Decision Making Bodies of HLC

The HLC affiliated institution’s decisions or actions are engaged by institutional representatives and public members collectively termed as decision making bodies. All decision-making bodies stand by HLC’s conflict of interest procedures, few are listed below

• Board of Trustees: Board of Trustees is made up of approximately 15-21 members termed as Governing Body of HLC. Trustees are elected by Member institutions. One member out of seven represents the public.

• Institutional Actions Council: They represent HCL institution members and the public, approximately 90 members. IAC members are appointed and authorized by the Board of Trustees.

• Appeals Body: They serve on Appeal panels and are elected by the Board of Trustees.

Strategies for Student Success

• HLC will team up with institution members to outline student success in a much authentic way which can be understood effortlessly, sensitive to institutional aim and observant to the explanations students pursue higher education.

• HLC will analyze the Criteria for Accreditation and associated requirements to certify sensitivity to institutional works and student requirements, to verify if they concentrate on career training, pre-professional guidance, liberal education else a combination all these for individual and society befits.

• HLC will advance the agenda on the assessment of student learning.

• Data related to student success is collected, organized and published by HLC for improved decision making by the institution. 

Training Programs for Students and Scholars

HLC provides internship openings to visiting scholars and graduate disciples to ensure the listed goals:

• To develop a research project by making use of data submitted to HLC by their institution members or peer reviewers.

• To seek research by means of HLC’s information and alternate resources.

• To produce resource constituents to assist institution associates or the higher education community.

• To develop a research project acknowledged by a scholar or graduate student that enhances grant and support the community upright. 

Conclusion

The higher learning commission is a non-profit organization that accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the United States. It has played a phenomenal role in checking the quality of the colleges and has been a pivotal body in assuring that those colleges continue to provide quality education over the years.