CSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Every ten years, the University prepares for a re-accreditation visit from HLC.

Since our last visit, faculty, staff, and students have been preparing for the Higher Learning Commission's upcoming continuing accreditation visit, taking place November 12-14, 2012. CSU's HLC Steering Committee, Criterion Committees, and Subcommittees have been working hard examining everything we do, gathering data, collecting surveys, and writing a comprehensive self-study. We asked for feedback on drafts of the self-study, and we thank all who participated in the process to help us refine this important document.

On August 27-28, 2012 CSU will host a Mock Visit, where a team of external reviewers will visit the campus and provide recommendations and advice so that we can be even more prepared for the actual visit in November.

Your feedback is important! Help us prepare for our upcoming HLC accreditation by giving the Higher Learning Commission your feedback on how we're doing here at CSU and on how we can best serve all of our stakeholders – students, faculty/staff, alumni, and community members. Visit Third-Party Comment on an Upcoming Visit

What is Accreditation?

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation assures the public, students, faculty, and staff that our University meets stated HLC criteria. It's a certification of acceptable institutional quality and integrity, and it acknowledges that the institution has undergone rigorous internal and external evaluation.

There is a difference between Institutional accreditation and program accreditation. Institutional accreditation looks at an institution in its entirety without making judgments about specific programs. Program accreditation is carried out by specific accrediting bodies that examine curricula and course content to evaluate the extent to which programs meet specific criteria.

The Roles of Faculty, Staff, and Students

Faculty and staff should:

• Be Informed: Read the newsletters and self-study, know how you contribute to the overall eff¬ectiveness of teaching and learning, and learn more about HLC and CSU's mission
• Submit comments to HLC on the upcoming visit;
• Use some class time or office hours to talk with students about accreditation, and the HLC Team visit; and
• Be on campus for the Mock Visit and the HLC Visit, wear CSU gear, and show your Cougar pride!

Students should:

• Attend town hall meetings, ask questions, watch for email and web updates, and participate in discussions;
• Submit comments to HLC on the upcoming visit; and
• Be on campus for the Mock Visit and the HLC Visit, wear CSU gear, and show your Cougar pride!

For information, contact the CSU's HLC Steering Committee at hlc@csu.edu.