Accreditation
Columbia College Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), one of the accrediting organizations recognized by the US Department of Education. Columbia has been accredited by HLC since 1974.
What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a process in which a college or university is approved by an accrediting body that affirms that the institution is meeting a set of criteria, including such areas as mission, support for student learning, finance, planning, and other crucial elements for institutions of higher education. Accreditation is an affirmation that an institution maintains high academic standards and helps to inform students, parents, faculty, and government bodies.
What is the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)?
Founded in 1895, the Higher Learning Commission is an independent corporation that accredits degree-granting, post-secondary educational institutions, primarily in the North Central region of the US. HLC’s stated mission is to “Advance the common good through quality assurance of higher education as the leader in equitable, transformative and trusted accreditation in the service of students and member institutions.”
What is the Process for Accreditation?
Columbia maintains its accreditation through HLC’s Open Pathway review process (one of three possible pathways available for member institutions). The Open Pathway's 10-year cycle of review includes the following process:
- An Annual Institutional Update, which includes reporting on enrollment, academic programs, graduation and retention rates, and finance.
- Completion of an Assurance Review during Year 4 that documents our institution’s fulfillment of the HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation.
- The design and undertaking of a Quality Initiative project during Years 5-9.
- A Comprehensive Evaluation during Year 10, includes an Assurance Argument that provides evidence and documents that the institution meets HLC’s Five Criteria for Accreditation, a Federal Compliance Review, a student opinion survey, and an on-site peer review team visit.
Columbia’s last Comprehensive Evaluation was in November 2018. The college had its Mid-Cycle Year 4 Assurance Review in August 2023. During this review, the HLC Team concluded that Columbia met all five Criteria for Accreditation.
The next Comprehensive Evaluation will occur in the 2028-29 Academic Year.