Higher Learning Commission
The University of North Dakota is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC of the NCA), one of six regional accrediting associations that provide institutional accreditation. As the largest of the regional accrediting associations, the HLC operates in 19 states that span the midwestern and part of the western United States. The HLC is itself recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and their accreditation practices are subject to regular review and oversight by that agency.
According to the HLC, "accreditation has two fundamental purposes: quality assurance and program improvement." All HLC-accredited institutions are expected to participate in a regular process of self-study and review by site visitors as a means of documenting achievements and efforts in both areas. This involves review of the organization as a whole, including academic programs and activities but also including student achievement, institutional governance, administration, finances, student services and admissions, institutional resources, organizational effectiveness, and relationships with external constituencies.
UND begins preparation for regional accreditation
Comprehensive institutional evaluation for reaccreditation is conducted every ten years. The next HLC accreditation site visit will occur in academic year 2013-2014, and will mark the hundredth anniversary of UND's initial accreditation.
Preparation for institutional accreditation involves careful self-reflection about the educational program. Many people will have an opportunity to participate in the accreditation process as UND conducts a self study that will be filed in Summer 2013. Preliminary planning for the self study has begun under the guidance of Joan Hawthorne, who serves as UND's Director of Assessment and Regional Accreditation. Hawthorne has considerable experience working with HLC, particularly in regard to assessment of learning outcomes. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Paul LeBel has named two faculty co-leaders of the self study: Patrick O'Neill, professor and chair, Economics, College of Business and Public Administration, and Donna Pearson, associate professor, Teaching and Learning, College of Education and Human Development.
"2013 seems a long way off - it is a long way off - but a productive self study process needs to be done carefully and with sufficient time to come to a deep understanding of where we are, how we got here, where we want to go, and how we plan to get there," said Provost LeBel. "Accreditations can spend a lot of time on counting things and overlook the more important question of what counts. I'm thankful that we are able to draw on Joan Hawthorne's experience and expertise in accreditation matters, and that Pat O'Neill and Donna Pearson are willing to play leadership roles. I'm confident that we can take advantage of the HLC accreditation to engage in a constructive process."