Higher Learning Commission HLC Accreditation Options AQIP Academic

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Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Accreditation Options AQIP (Academic Quality Improvement Program) Standard Pathway Open

Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Accreditation Options AQIP (Academic Quality Improvement Program) Standard Pathway Open Pathway

What is Accreditation? Accreditation provides assurance that the institution meets standards and/or criteria set

What is Accreditation? Accreditation provides assurance that the institution meets standards and/or criteria set by an independent agency. Voluntary Evaluative Accreditation evaluates governance, administration, financial stability, admissions and student services, institutional resources, student learning, institutional effectiveness, relationship with external constituencies Examines overall quality of the institution

Why Maintain Accreditation? Quality Assurance Aids in student transfer of credit between institutions Provides

Why Maintain Accreditation? Quality Assurance Aids in student transfer of credit between institutions Provides access to federal financial aid Certifies a graduate’s credentials to employers

Previous Accreditation Process PEAQ – Program to Evaluate and Enhance Quality All previous reviews

Previous Accreditation Process PEAQ – Program to Evaluate and Enhance Quality All previous reviews were PEAQ One visit and one report every 10 years Self evaluation based on commission criteria This option has been eliminated and replace this 3 new options

New Accreditation Processes Three Options : AQIP (7 -year cycle) Standard Pathway (10 -year

New Accreditation Processes Three Options : AQIP (7 -year cycle) Standard Pathway (10 -year cycle) Open Pathway (10 -year cycle)

AQIP Who participates? Eligible institutions that submit an application, which includes a preliminary self-assessment,

AQIP Who participates? Eligible institutions that submit an application, which includes a preliminary self-assessment, are evaluated by a review panel for admittance into AQIP Accreditation Cycle (7 -year cycle) Action Cycle: Projects each year Strategic Cycle: Systems Portfolio & Appraisal every 4 years Reaffirmation Cycle: Quality Checkup Visit & Panel Reaffirmation every 7 years

AQIP – Action Cycle ACTION CYCLE Strategy Forum – Peer review process to aid

AQIP – Action Cycle ACTION CYCLE Strategy Forum – Peer review process to aid in selecting, examining and committing to a set of strategies and Action Projects – Three to four projects that will significantly advance the institutions goals Annual Update – Report progress on Action Projects

AQIP – Strategic Cycle STRATEGIC CYCLE Systems Portfolio Completed in Years 1 -4 with

AQIP – Strategic Cycle STRATEGIC CYCLE Systems Portfolio Completed in Years 1 -4 with broad faculty and staff involvement Organizational Overview detailing each of the systems employed to accomplish the mission and goals Answers specific questions for each of the nine AQIP categories Systems Appraisal Institution reviews systems for maintaining quality Evaluated following standardized procedures and results in an Appraisal Feedback Report

AQIP – Reaffirmation Cycle REAFFIRMATION CYCLE Quality Checkup – Site visit by two or

AQIP – Reaffirmation Cycle REAFFIRMATION CYCLE Quality Checkup – Site visit by two or more evaluators for two or more days during the two-year period prior to reaffirmation Reaffirmation of Accreditation – Summative review at the end of the seven-year AQIP cycle Reaffirmation panel examines Systems Portfolio, six years of Action Projects, Systems Appraisal and Quality Checkup report. Panel documents where it finds evidence the institution meets the Criteria for Accreditation.

Standard Pathway Who participates? Open to all institutions The accreditation option for institutions not

Standard Pathway Who participates? Open to all institutions The accreditation option for institutions not eligible for Open Pathway or AQIP Ineligibility results from: Accredited for fewer than 10 years by HLC Under commission sanction within the last 5 years History of commission monitoring Present circumstances that raise commission concerns

Standard Pathway Components 10 -year Accreditation Cycle Annual Institutional Updates Two Comprehensive Visits Assurance

Standard Pathway Components 10 -year Accreditation Cycle Annual Institutional Updates Two Comprehensive Visits Assurance Reviews Year 4 and Year 10

Standard Pathway – Method for Evaluating Institutions Two comprehensive evaluations and site visits Assurance

Standard Pathway – Method for Evaluating Institutions Two comprehensive evaluations and site visits Assurance Reviews (40, 000 words) Reviews of Federal Compliance Follow-up Reports (as needed) Focused Visits (possible in Years 1 -3 & 5 -9)

Assurance Review ASSURANCE ARGUMENT Highly structured format 40, 000 word limit For each Criterion,

Assurance Review ASSURANCE ARGUMENT Highly structured format 40, 000 word limit For each Criterion, the institution offers: Criterion introduction Description of how each Core Component is met How/why met, improvement, constraints, threats to maintain, opportunities, future plans Links to materials in the institution’s Evidence File

Open Pathway Who Participates? Institutions approved by the Commission for this option Eligibility based

Open Pathway Who Participates? Institutions approved by the Commission for this option Eligibility based on length of accreditation, history of Commission monitoring and current standing with Commission

Open Pathway Components 10 -year Accreditation Cycle Annual Institutional Updates One Comprehensive Visit Assurance

Open Pathway Components 10 -year Accreditation Cycle Annual Institutional Updates One Comprehensive Visit Assurance Reviews Year 4 and Year 10

Open Pathway – Method for Evaluating Institutions Assurance Review without visit (Year 4) Quality

Open Pathway – Method for Evaluating Institutions Assurance Review without visit (Year 4) Quality Initiative (Years 5 -9) Institution elects a project that suits own purposes with a flexible timeframe (“opens the pathway”) Design and propose own initiative, select from a menu of topics or join a Commission-facilitated program One comprehensive evaluation and site visit (Year 10) Assurance Review (through online system) Review of Federal Compliance No focused visits

Assurance Review ASSURANCE ARGUMENT Highly structured format 35, 000 word limit For each Criterion,

Assurance Review ASSURANCE ARGUMENT Highly structured format 35, 000 word limit For each Criterion, the institution offers: Criterion introduction Description of how each Core Component is met How/why met, improvement, constraints, threats to maintain, opportunities, future plans Links to materials in the institution’s Evidence File

Pathways for Maintaining Accreditation Criteria for Participation STANDARD PATHWAY Required for all institutions in

Pathways for Maintaining Accreditation Criteria for Participation STANDARD PATHWAY Required for all institutions in first ten-year period. OPEN PATHWAY All qualifying institutions as determined by HLC. AQIP PATHWAY All eligible institutions that are admitted by a peer panel. Required for all institutions not eligible for Open or AQIP Pathways. Harper College would need to apply for candidacy. Accrediting Cycle Ten-year accrediting cycle Seven-year accrediting cycle Reporting Assurance Review –Years 4 and 10 Assurance Review – Years 4 and 10 Systems Portfolio – Between Years 1 -4 Project Updates – Annually 40, 000 word argument 35, 000 word argument Comprehensive Evaluations/Site Visits 2 – Year 4 and Year 10 1 – Year 7 Quality Projects N/A 1 Project 3 – 4 Projects Commission Responses Institutionally Determined and Commission Guidelines and Commission Approved Training for Projects Commission Approved May require interim reports. May require focused visits. No focused visits. May required focused visits.

Accreditation Options AQIP Standard Pathway Open Pathway Questions? ? ?

Accreditation Options AQIP Standard Pathway Open Pathway Questions? ? ?

Feedback Options Paper Survey Portal Survey Closes on October 31 at noon!

Feedback Options Paper Survey Portal Survey Closes on October 31 at noon!