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What is HLC accreditation?

Colleges and universities in the United States voluntarily seek accreditation to ensure they meet or exceed defined quality standards. There are two types of accreditation: institutional and specialized. Institutional accreditation is granted by one of six regional accrediting bodies which use peer reviewers to evaluate the entire institution. It is necessary in order for students at an institution to be eligible for federal financial aid. Specific programs within an institution may be accredited by specialized accrediting bodies that evaluate programs against discipline standards.

What are the criteria for accreditation?

The criteria for accreditation are the quality standards established by the Higher Learning Commission. The five criteria are:

• Mission
• Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct
• Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support
• Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement
• Resources, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness

What does institutional accreditation mean to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ?

Accreditation means:

• assurance that ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is true to its mission;
• assurance to the public that ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ’s programs and services meet quality standards;
• assurance that ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ’s programs prepare students for the future in a multicultural and global society;
• assurance that ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ’s planning and resources are sufficient to achieve its purposes;
• assurance that all activities are conducted with integrity
• assurance that what is said to the public is what ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ can and will deliver;
• and, accreditation today means that our students are able to enjoy the benefits of higher education in a democratic society with the support of federal financial aid, both grants and loans.

What is the status of HLC accreditation?

At its meeting on June 30, 2014, the Institutional Actions Council (IAC) of the Higher Learning Commission continued ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's accreditation status. ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ has been continually accredited since 1914.

Accreditations Granted to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ and Specific Programs

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is accredited by 

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The baccalaureate and master's degree Nursing program at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is accredited by the .

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The ) Baccalaureate/Graduate Degree Board of Commissioners has awarded ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ, accreditation of selected business programs.

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The School of Education programs with licensure and certification pathways are accredited by the .

 

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The has awarded ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ, accreditation of its Addiction Counseling programs.

 

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The  has awarded ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ, provisional accreditation of its Physician Assistant program.

 

 

The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Physician Assistance Program sponsored by ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ. Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class. The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at

Certifications and Licenses Awarded to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ:

• The Arizona Teacher Education Programs are  (AZDE) approved.
• The Ottawa, Kansas and Kansas City Teacher Education programs are  (KSDE) approved.
• The  licenses ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ to operate.
• The  accredits ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ to do business.
• The  certifies ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ to operate.
• The has approved ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ to provide distance/online education in Maryland.
• The Master of Arts in Counseling is approved by the and the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.

Associations and Organizations Affiliated with ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

• Affiliated with the American Baptist Churches in the USA
• American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
• American Baptist Association of Colleges and Universities
• Arizona Education Association
• Arizona Education Consortium
• Better Business Bureau serving Central/Northern Arizona
• Better Business Bureau serving Southern Indiana, Louisville and Western Kentucky
• Better Business Bureau serving Wisconsin
• California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators
• Council for Advancement and Support of Education
• Council of Independent Colleges
• Independent Colleges and Universities of Arizona
• Kansas Association of Colleges of Teacher Education
• Kansas Association of Private Colleges of Teacher Education
• Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC)
• Kansas Independent College Fund
• Kansas Independent College Association
• National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors
• National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
• National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
• National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
• Society for Human Resource Management
• Southeastern Wisconsin Education Consortium
• The Association of Governing Boards

Rankings from National & Regional Publications

U.S. News & World Report

 - ranked as a 2022 Best College for Midwest Regional Colleges

Designations Awarded to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

 

 

 

Colleges of Distinction hand-picks a selection of top schools each year that are well equipped to provide a personalized education catered to students’ interests. Through a rigorous vetting and interview process each academic year, they refresh and reaffirm that these institutions strive for excellence in line with the —Student Engagement, Teaching, Community, and Outcomes.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is proud of its 2021-22 “Colleges of Distinction” designation in both Kansas and Arizona.

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