Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

The next Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation on-site review is set for the 2024-25 School year.   The college is on HLC’s Standard Pathway which is a 10-year cycle.  There are two components within the Standard Pathway, quality assurance and institutional improvement.

Years 1-3: The college prepares an Assurance filing including supporting evidence.

Year 4: The Assurance Argument, which is similar to the previously required Self-Study, is submitted to HLC peer reviewers.  Also in Year 4, a short on-site comprehensive visit is conducting by HLC peer reviewers.

Years 5-9: The college prepares an Assurance filing including supporting evidence.

Year 10: A comprehensive evaluation in which the HLC takes action on the comprehensive evaluation and Reaffirmation of Accreditation.

For questions related to McPherson College’s accreditation status please contact Director of Institutional Assessment and Academic Compliance, Sandra Hiebert at (620) 242-0505 or [email protected]

• Higher Learning Commission (HLC) website
• Criteria for Accreditation
• Federal Compliance
• Assumed Practices

What is accreditation?

• Assuring and advancing the quality of higher education.
• Required to be eligible for federal student financial aid.
• Required to provide educational programs to military students.

Who is McPherson College’s accreditor?

• The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
• McPherson College has been accredited since 1921
• McPherson College last received its 10-year continuance of accreditation in 2015
• McPherson College’s teacher education program is also accredited by The Kansas State Department of Education and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education

Who do I contact if I have an accreditation complaint?

• For institutional accreditation contact: The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, Illinois 60604-1411, telephone: 800.621.7440, web address: https://www.hlcommission.org/Student-Resources/complaints.html);
• For teacher education accreditation contact: The Kansas State Department of Education (120 East 10th Street, Topeka, Kansas 66612, telephone: 785.296.3201, web address www.ksde.org); or the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education at (1140 19th St. NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036, telephone: 202.223.0077, web address www.ncate.org).

When is the next HLC site visit?

• HLC peer reviewers will conduct a 10 Year comprehensive on-site visit in the 2024-25 school year.

What will occur during the HLC site visit?

• The Year 10 review will lead to an action regarding the reaffirmation of the college.
• Several peer review team members will conduct interviews with the college’s community, which may include the President, administrative and Board of Trustee members, faculty, staff, current students, and alumni.
• Team members will seek to validate McPherson College’s Assurance Review which includes an Assurance Argument and Evidence Filing which address the HLC’s five criteria for accreditation.
• HLC’s peer review team will examine the college’s Assurance Argument, evidence file, and student opinion survey responses to determine if the college is meeting the standards for reaccreditation.
• HLC peer review team members often host open meetings for faculty, staff, and students during each visit.