The Importance of Accreditation
March 2012
Colorado State University has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) (and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools) since 1925.
Institutional accreditation by the HLC, also known as regional accreditation, provides assurance to prospective students and other constituents that course credits and degrees earned from the institution meet quality standards of higher education. Accreditation is a requirement for federal financial aid and may be a requirement for some employment opportunities, professional licensure, and graduate education.
Maintaining Accreditation
To ensure continued academic excellence, accreditation requires periodic institutional and program reviews. The accreditation process also provides an opportunity to the University to assess our own successes and challenges over time, see how we compare to our peers, and make better decisions when allocating resources. Besides assessing formal educational activities, the HLC evaluates such things as governance and administration, financial stability, admissions and student services, institutional resources, student learning, institutional effectiveness, and relationships with internal and external constituencies.
Program Accreditation
In addition to institutional accreditation, many programs at Colorado State University have received specialized accreditation, also called program accreditation, which is often associated with national professional associations or with specific disciplines. These program accreditations are also subject to periodic review.
Accreditation and the 2014 Self-Study
The last formal review of CSU's institutional accreditation was conducted in 2004. CSU will participate in a comprehensive review by the HLC during the 2013-2014 academic year for continuation of institutional accreditation. In preparation for this visit by external reviewers, CSU is conducting a self-study of its programs and processes, in accordance with the criteria of accreditation as established by the HLC:
- Mission
- Ethical and Responsible Conduct
- Teaching and Learning – Quality, Resources, and Support
- Teaching and Learning – Evaluation and Improvement
- Resources, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness
This self-study will culminate in a report that will be displayed on this website in fall 2013 and serve as a major part of the application process. The self-study effort is expected to involve over 100 faculty, staff, and students from around the university, including broad membership that is representative of most constituent groups and key administrative leadership. Members of the President's Cabinet, the Council of Deans, the Faculty Council's Committee on Strategic and Financial Planning, the Administrative Professional Council, the Classified Personnel Council, ASCSU, and the Graduate Council are participating. As the self-study process progresses, we will be seeking more assistance and feedback on the findings from many others in the University community. If you have an interest in assisting in this effort, or if you have any questions on the process, please feel free to contact Robert.Jones@Colostate.edu or consult the Higher Learning Commission website.
