Seeking Accreditation
Institutions may be affiliated with HLC by gaining accredited status or candidate status. HLC determines whether an educational institution is to be considered for accreditation through its Eligibility Process.
All steps to status with HLC must be completed within the prescribed time frame. If at any point the time frame is not met, the institution must restart the process from the beginning. An overview of the process is provided below.
Fees apply to steps in the process to achieve accreditation.
Documents and Forms
Seeking Accreditation (March 2021)
This document includes the following information:
- Overview of the Eligibility and Candidacy processes.
- Description of required institutional materials, including the Eligibility Filing, and submission procedures.
- List of related policies and documents.
Substantial Presence Form (March 2019)
Certification Form (March 2019)
Data Form for Candidacy Visit (November 2020)
- Student-Faculty Ratio Worksheet (March 2019)
- Composite Financial Index Worksheet (November 2020)
Federal Compliance Overview and Filing Form
Eligibility Filings Submitted Prior to April 2019
Candidate institutions and institutions eligible to pursue Candidacy that submitted an Eligibility Filing prior to April 2019 may follow the format that was in effect at the time of their initial Eligibility Filing when providing updated versions of their filing during the Candidacy Process. Institutions are asked to provide an updated Eligibility Filing during the comprehensive evaluation for Candidacy, biennial evaluation and comprehensive evaluation for Initial Accreditation.
An Overview of the Process
Basic Information
An institution seeking accreditation with HLC must complete all of the steps in the process within the time frames prescribed, must adhere to HLC guidelines related to each step, including guidelines related to document submission, and must receive a positive decision by HLC before moving to the next step.
In general, an institution should anticipate that the process will take at least five years, and often more, to complete.
As further detailed 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. No public statement about seeking status may be made until just prior to the comprehensive evaluation visit for Candidacy is scheduled.
Fees apply at a number of steps throughout the process. A complete list of these fees can be found in the current HLC Dues and Fees Schedule. Where applicable, fees must accompany submissions or are due at the start of a step in the process. An institution will not be permitted to proceed in the process until any required fees are received.
If at any point in the process the institution misses a required deadline, voluntarily withdraws from the process, or fails to achieve the next step in the process, the institution must start the process from the beginning of the Eligibility Process (submitting a Letter of Inquiry with Preliminary Evidence). When an institution restarts the process, it must generally wait one year before submitting a new Letter of Inquiry with Preliminary Evidence.
HLC will maintain all documents submitted by institutions in accordance with applicable HLC policies.
At various steps in the process, the institution will be asked to provide a response to recommendations, as provided in HLC policy. Additionally, certain determinations within the process are subject to review or appeals, as provided in HLC policy.
Institutions should familiarize themselves with applicable HLC policies as they proceed through the process (see Seeking Accreditation). Institutions should also familiarize themselves with the HLC Glossary.
Eligibility Process
1. Letter of Inquiry with Preliminary Evidence
The institution submits the Letter of Inquiry with the required Preliminary Evidence. HLC screens the materials for completeness.
2. Preliminary Evidence Review and Response
HLC conducts a Preliminary Evidence review and sends a Preliminary Evidence Response.
If the review indicates that the Preliminary Evidence is sufficient, the institution may proceed.
If the review indicates that the Preliminary Evidence is not sufficient, the institution may submit additional or updated evidence.
3. Pre-application Interview
HLC conducts a pre-application interview with the institution.
4. Post-interview Letter
HLC sends a Post-interview Letter to the institution indicating that the institution is or is not ready to proceed. Additional information may also be requested.
5. Letter of Intent to Submit Eligibility Filing
If approved to proceed, the institution submits its Letter of Intent to Submit the Eligibility Filing.
6. Institutional Submission of the Eligibility Filing
Institution submits a completed Eligibility Filing and other required materials. HLC staff screens materials for completeness and may request additional materials or may return the Eligibility Filing.
7. Eligibility Review
A panel of two HLC peer reviewers evaluates the Eligibility Filing. The panel may request additional information from the institution. The panel makes a determination about compliance and readiness to pursue Candidacy.
8. Letter on Eligibility
HLC notifies institution of the outcome of the eligibility review.
If eligible to pursue Candidacy, the institution may proceed.
If not eligible to pursue Candidacy, the institution must generally wait one year before restarting the process from the beginning of the Eligibility Process.
Application for Status (Candidacy and Initial Accreditation)
1. Letter of Intent to Pursue Candidacy
Institution submits a Letter of Intent to Pursue Candidacy.
2. Comprehensive Evaluation for Candidacy
The institution submits comprehensive evaluation materials and hosts an on-site visit by the peer review team. HLC assigns the institution a staff liaison prior to the comprehensive evaluation for Candidacy.
3. Award of Candidacy
The team recommendation on Candidacy is reviewed at an Institutional Actions Council (IAC) hearing and then subsequently acted on by the Board of Trustees.
If Candidacy is granted, the institution is granted a term of Candidacy, typically four years.
If Candidacy is not granted, the institution must generally wait one year before restarting the process from the beginning of the Eligibility Process.
4. Biennial Evaluation
The institution participates in a biennial evaluation, which generally occurs two years after the initial award of Candidacy.
If the institution is making reasonable progress toward meeting the Criteria for Accreditation and otherwise meets established requirements, the institution maintains its candidate status.
If Candidacy is withdrawn, the institution must generally wait one year before restarting the process from the beginning of the Eligibility Process.
5. Comprehensive Evaluation for Initial Accreditation
The institution submits comprehensive evaluation materials and hosts an on-site visit by the peer review team.
This evaluation must take place with sufficient time to allow for action by the Board of Trustees within the established period of Candidacy, which is typically four years (typically takes place about one year prior to the end of the established period of Candidacy). It could occur earlier, including replacing the biennial evaluation, if Early Initial Accreditation is requested.
6. Award of Initial Accreditation
The team recommendation on Initial Accreditation is reviewed at an Institutional Actions Council (IAC) hearing and then subsequently reviewed by the Board of Trustees.
If Initial Accreditation is granted, the institution is an accredited institution.
If Initial Accreditation is not granted, the institution must generally wait one year before restarting the process from the beginning of the Eligibility Process. Alternatively, the Board of Trustees may continue or extend the period of Candidacy.