Accreditation is a process through which an independent organization evaluates a college or university to ensure it meets established standards for quality, effectiveness, and continuous improvement. Accreditation helps assure students, employers, and the public that the institution provides a quality education.

Accreditation:

• Confirms that the university meets recognized standards of quality.
• Allows students to qualify for federal financial aid.
• Supports transfer of academic credits between institutions.
• Increases employer and graduate school confidence in degrees earned.
• Encourages ongoing institutional improvement.

Western New Mexico University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), one of the regional institutional accreditors recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole, including its:

• Mission
• Academic programs
• Faculty qualifications
• Student learning
• Student support services
• Governance
• Financial stability
• Planning and assessment

HLC accreditation is an ongoing process. Institutions regularly submit reports and participate in periodic comprehensive evaluations as part of HLC’s Open Pathway process.

No. Accreditation confirms that the institution meets established standards of quality and effectiveness, but it does not rank institutions or certify that one university is “better” than another.

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent accrediting agency that accredits degree-granting colleges and universities in the central United States.

HLC evaluates institutions using five Criteria for Accreditation:

• Mission
• Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct
• Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support
• Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement
• Institutional Effectiveness, Resources, and Planning

The Open Pathway is HLC’s accreditation process that combines annual institutional reporting, quality improvement activities, and periodic comprehensive evaluations.

An Assurance Argument is a document the university prepares that demonstrates how it meets HLC’s accreditation criteria. It includes evidence from across the institution.

The Quality Initiative is an institutional improvement project completed as part of the Open Pathway. It focuses on improving student learning or institutional effectiveness.

An HLC peer review team visits the university to:

• Review evidence
• Meet with faculty, staff, students, and administrators
• Verify information provided in the Assurance Argument
• Evaluate how well the institution meets HLC standards

Accreditation demonstrates the quality of our educational programs and supports continuous improvement. Faculty and staff contribute by maintaining high academic standards, participating in assessment, and documenting institutional effectiveness.

Employees can help by:

• Understanding the university’s mission
• Participating in assessment activities
• Maintaining accurate documentation
• Using assessment results to improve programs
• Being familiar with institutional policies and procedures

Possibly. HLC reviewers often meet with faculty, staff, administrators, students, and governing board members to better understand how the institution operates.

Reviewers may ask about:

• The university mission
• Student learning assessment
• Program review
• Shared governance
• Student support services
• Continuous improvement
• Strategic planning

Accreditation helps ensure students receive a quality education and that their degrees are recognized by employers, graduate schools, and licensing agencies.

Yes. Students attending institutionally accredited colleges may be eligible for federal financial aid programs.

Transfer decisions are always made by the receiving institution. However, attending an accredited institution generally improves the likelihood that credits will be accepted.

Accreditation encourages the university to continually improve instruction, student services, academic support, technology, and institutional effectiveness.

Programmatic accreditation evaluates a specific academic program rather than the institution as a whole. It is conducted by specialized accrediting organizations within particular professions.

No. Many excellent academic programs do not have specialized accreditation because none exists for that discipline. Institutional accreditation still applies to the university as a whole.

• Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
  • The School of Business is accredited by the ACBSP for the Associate in Business Administration, Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, in Marketing, and in Management, Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration, and Master of Business Administration
• Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
  • The Rehabilitation Services Program is accredited by the CAAHEP for the Bachelor of Applied Science in Inclusive Rehabilitation Services
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
  • The College of Education is fully accredited by the CAEP for initial licensure programs, advanced programs, and various teaching fields at the undergraduate and graduate level
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
  • The School of Nursing and Kinesiology is accredited by the CCNE for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • The School of Social Work is accredited by the CSWE for the Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
  • The College of Education is accredited by the NAEYC for the Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education & Family Support

Some professions require graduation from an accredited program in order to:

• Become licensed
• Sit for certification examinations
• Enter graduate or professional school
• Meet employer requirements

It depends on the profession. Some fields require specialized accreditation, while others do not.

Assessment is the process of measuring student learning and institutional effectiveness to determine whether educational goals are being achieved.

No. Grades evaluate individual student performance. Assessment looks at how well programs, courses, and services help students achieve learning outcomes.

Assessment results are used to:

• Improve curriculum
• Enhance teaching
• Strengthen student services
• Inform planning
• Support accreditation

Visit the Higher Learning Commission website for information about accreditation standards, policies, and accredited institutions.

WNMU makes public disclosures and accreditation status information available on our accreditation webpages.

Students and members of the public should first follow the university’s internal complaint procedures. If concerns relate to accreditation standards and remain unresolved, HLC provides a process for submitting complaints.