Year 4 Assurance Review

What is accreditation?

Accreditation is a universally acknowledged standard of institutional quality. Specifically, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) defines five Criteria for Accreditation, which demonstrate institutional effectiveness. The five Criteria are:

1. Mission;
2. Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct;
3. Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support;
4. Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement;
5. Institutional Effectiveness, Resources, and Planning

Accreditation by HLC provides assurance to the public that the College has met the established criteria, and the evidence indicates that the College will continue to meet them.  Jefferson was first accredited by HLC in 1969 and has continued to receive reaffirmation of accreditation for the maximum 10 years since that time.

Why is accreditation important to Jefferson College and its students?

Reaffirmation of accreditation is important! For example:

1. Students will be assured that they are receiving a high quality education.
2. Students will continue to have the opportunity to apply for federal financial aid, such as Pell grants.
3. Jefferson College transfer courses will continue to be accepted by other colleges.

What is the Year 4 Assurance Review?

The following steps make up the Assurance Review:

1. The institution prepares an Assurance Filing that demonstrates it is in compliance with HLC requirements. The filing is comprised of an Assurance Argument, Evidence File, and other materials, as applicable.
2. A team of peer reviewers evaluates the institution’s Assurance Filing. The outcome of this review is a recommendation as to whether the institution is in compliance with the Criteria for Accreditation and other HLC requirements.
3. A decision-making body reviews the institution’s documentation and the recommendation from the peer review team and takes an official action.

When is Jefferson College’s Year 4 Assurance Review?

The HLC Peer Review Team will review Jefferson College’s Assurance Argument in June 2023. This will be a virtual review.

Peer Review Team

HLC Peer Review Teams are volunteers of approximately 1,600 faculty, administrators, and staff who are currently employed by or recently retired from colleges and universities in the United States. They are responsible for assuring that an institution is complying with the accreditation criteria as well as for helping an institution advance within the context of its own mission.

Information listed above was adapted from https://www.hlcommission.org/ (May 2023)