HLC Requirements
HLC's foundational requirements for its member institutions are described in several policies, including: Criteria for Accreditation, Assumed Practices, Eligibility Requirements, Federal Compliance Requirements and Obligations of Membership. Institutions must meet these requirements in order to achieve and maintain accreditation with HLC. Institutions are also responsible for staying informed and in compliance with HLC's other institutional policies.
Criteria for Accreditation
The Criteria for Accreditation are the standards of quality by which HLC determines whether an institution merits accreditation or reaffirmation of accreditation. The five Criteria address mission; ethical and responsible conduct; quality, resources and support for teaching and learning; evaluation and improvement of teaching and learning; and institutional effectiveness, resources and planning.
Assumed Practices
Foundational to the Criteria and Core Components is a set of practices shared by institutions of higher education in the United States. Unlike the Criteria for Accreditation, these Assumed Practices are (1) generally matters to be determined as facts, rather than matters requiring professional judgment and (2) not expected to vary by institutional mission or context. Similar to the Criteria, the Assumed Practices set requirements related to ethical and responsible conduct; quality, resources and support for teaching and learning; evaluation and improvement of teaching and learning; and resources, planning and institutional effectiveness. Every institution must be in compliance with all Assumed Practices at all times.
Eligibility Requirements
An institution must meet all Eligibility Requirements before it is granted candidate status or accredited status. The policy describes the legal, operational and financial requirements an institution must meet to be eligible for HLC membership. Institutions may also be required to demonstrate their compliance with the Eligibility Requirements at other times.
Federal Compliance Requirements
In order to maintain its federal recognition by the U.S. Department of Education, HLC assures that all candidate and accredited institutions are complying with the expectations of specific federal regulations including, when applicable, Title IV program responsibilities. Compliance with these requirements by both institutions and HLC is necessary to ensure that institutions that participate in Title IV HEA programs remain eligible for federal financial aid. Such compliance also represents a reinforcement of certain important quality assurance goals. HLC policy regarding Federal Compliance requires institutions to meet these requirements in order to gain candidacy, gain initial accreditation and to remain accredited.
Obligations of Membership
The Obligations of Membership describe HLC's expectations regarding an institution's participation in evaluations and other processes, communication with HLC and its constituents related to accreditation, and other aspects of the accreditation relationship.