Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the U.S. Department of Education recognize accrediting agencies that look at the college or university as a whole. There are also programmatic or specialized accrediting agencies that focus only on specific academic programs. Colleges and universities can have multiple accreditations. The U.S. Department of Education has a list of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.
Who accredits Lindenwood University?
Lindenwood is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a Regional Accrediting Organization recognized by CHEA and the U.S. Department of Education. The following are CHEA and U.S. DOE recognized accrediting organizations:
- Regional Accrediting Organizations (Lindenwood is Accredited within these organizations)
- National Faith-Related Accrediting Organizations
- National Career-Related Accrediting Organizations
- Programmatic Accrediting Organizations
- Accrediting Organizations Recognized by CHEA (names only)
What are regional accrediting organizations?
Regional accreditation organizations validate the quality of an institution as a whole, and evaluate multiple aspects including academic offerings, governance and administration, mission, finances, and resources.
- Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC) (Accredits Lindenwood)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
What is the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)?
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is Lindenwood’s accrediting body. HLC accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region, which currently includes 19 states. HLC is located at 230 South LaSalle, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604, (312) 263-0456.
What does HLC consider when accrediting a university?
Institutions that HLC accredits are evaluated against its Criteria for Accreditation, a set of standards that institutions must meet to receive and/or maintain accredited status. HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation reflect a set of Guiding Values.
Who actually evaluates the university for accreditation?
The HLC accreditation process is based on a system of peer review. Approximately 1,600 educators from institutions of higher education serve as peer reviewers who conduct accreditation evaluations for other institutions. Lindenwood University currently has four employees who serve as regional accreditation agency peer reviewers and are serving on the university Executive Accreditation Committee.
What is Lindenwood University’s accreditation status with the Higher Learning Commission?
Lindenwood University has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1921. Lindenwood’s current accreditation status can be confirmed at HLC Affiliation Confirmed.
Does Lindenwood University have relationships with other accrediting agencies?
Lindenwood has relationships with the following institution, program, and specialized quality organizations that provide accreditation.
- Institution Accreditation
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Since 1921
- Program Accreditations
- Athletic Training Program – Since 2003
- Business Programs - Since 2010
- Chemistry – Since 2019
- EMT – Paramedicine
- In process of seeking accreditation
- Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP)
- Social Work – Since 2006
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
- Teacher Education – Since 2015
- Program Alignments with External Quality Organizations
- Counseling
- Educational Leadership
- Human Resource Management Programs
What is the HLC accreditation evaluation process?
HLC accreditation assures quality by a comprehensive evaluation process verifying that an institution meets threshold standards and is engaged in continuous improvement. HLC expects that institutions have the standards, the processes, and the will for quality assurance in depth and throughout its educational offerings.
How does Lindenwood University demonstrate quality to the HLC?
The comprehensive evaluation process includes an assurance argument and site visit to evaluate the institution’s performance of these expectations. Lindenwood’s last HLC Comprehensive Evaluation took place in 2013. HLC conducted a Mid-Cycle Review in 2017 and the next HLC Comprehensive Evaluation is planned for 2023/24 Academic Year.
Are there optional paths towards HLC accreditation?
HLC has two Pathways for Reaffirmation of Accreditation: Standard and Open. An institution’s pathway is typically determined upon the completion of an institution’s current cycle, which is after reaffirmation of accreditation in Year 10. Lindenwood University is currently on the Standard Pathway and is considering the Open pathway after the next comprehensive visit. Both pathways achieve institutional accreditation, however, they differ in reporting requirements. Lindenwood University is currently on the Standard Pathway.
Are there other requirements in addition to the comprehensive evaluation process?
In addition, all institutions are required to complete an annual filing of the Institutional Update, undergo annual monitoring of financial and non-financial indicators, and adhere to HLC policies and practices on substantive change. Peer reviewers trained in HLC’s standards evaluate institutions’ demonstration of whether they meet the Criteria for Accreditation and make recommendations to HLC’s decision-making bodies.
