About HLC

Who is HLC?

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent corporation that was founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. HLC accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region - spanning across nineteen (19) states.

For more information, visit https://www.hlcommission.org/About-HLC/about-hlc.html.

Criteria for Accreditation

The Criteria for Accreditation are the standards of quality by which the Commission determines whether an institution merits accreditation or reaffirmation of accreditation. The five criteria are:

  1. Mission
  2. Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct
  3. Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support
  4. Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement
  5. Resources, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness

Revisions to the Criteria: HLC is required to initiate a review of its Criteria for Accreditation every five years. In 2018, HLC published draft alpha and beta versions of the revised Criteria and received feedback from the membership and peer reviewers. HLC’s Board of Trustees adopted the final version at its February 2019 meeting. The new Criteria will go into effect September 1, 2020.

For more information and resources, click here.

Flyers, Handouts, and Resources

GCC HLC Overview Flyer.pdf