HLC Recognition by External Agencies
By law, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) relies in part on accrediting agencies to determine eligibility for U.S. government assistance under certain legislation. USDE oversees a recognition program by which it identifies reliable authorities on the quality of educational organizations and programs. HLC is among these governmentally recognized authorities and seeks renewal of USDE recognition at least every five years.
To be recognized by USDE, HLC must agree to do certain things required by law and the USDE. These include holding to a schedule of reporting to the USDE and to state agencies, as well as including a review of the record of the educational organization’s relationship with USDE.
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is a private nonprofit organization that coordinates accreditation activities in the United States. CHEA represents degree-granting colleges and universities as well as institutional and programmatic accrediting organizations. According to its mission statement, CHEA “will serve students and their families, colleges and universities, sponsoring bodies, governments, and employers by promoting academic quality through formal recognition of higher education accrediting bodies and will coordinate and work to advance self-regulation through accreditation.”
CHEA also provides information about accreditation, degree mills, and accreditation mills.
The Higher Learning Commission is a CHEA-recognized accrediting body. HLC’s CHEA recognition was reaffirmed in 2015.
Federal Regulations Regarding State Authorization: SHEEO State Authorization Resources and Directory
The USDE requires all institutions participating in Title IV to be able to document compliance with state laws in all states where they offer distance or correspondence education. To address this need, SHEEO, the national association of state higher education executive officers, provides a number of resources for institutions, including a directory of agencies responsible for implementing state quality assurance laws and a compendium of state laws and regulations.
HLC Communication With Other Agencies
HLC shares information with other recognized accreditors, with state departments of education, and with the USDE. Following each meeting of an HLC decision-making body, HLC files a report of all actions taken with these agencies. In early fall, HLC furnishes state agencies with the list of institutions scheduled for evaluation in that academic year. HLC also maintains communications and discussions with officers of state coordinating and governing boards to clarify the functions and concerns of HLC with respect to its member institutions affected by these types of boards.
Although HLC tries to respond cooperatively to requests for information from other agencies, it is primarily the educational institution's responsibility to maintain effective communication with them and to provide them with appropriate information concerning its relationship with HLC.