Accreditation

The University of Denver is accredited as a doctoral degree-granting institution by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). DU received its first accreditation in 1914 and has been evaluated on a regular basis since, under the review process of the North Central Association (NCA) Commission.

Last HLC accreditation visit: 2010
Next HLC accreditation visit: 2021

Accreditation Process

University accreditation is a voluntary process by which the services and operations of participating universities are examined to determine their compliance with a common set of standards. In advance of a site visit by a team of peer evaluators, universities conduct an evaluative self study.

In addition to assessing formal education activities in the accreditation review, a visiting team from HLC evaluates our governance and administration, financial stability, admission and student services, institutional resources, student learning, institutional effectiveness, and relationships with internal and external constituencies.

The process is centered on the University's ability to fulfill our mission, and is intended to lead to a greater understanding of our strengths and an identification of opportunities for improvement.

University Accreditation

University accreditation is the "seal of approval" by our regional accreditation agency, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA). It provides assurance to the public that our institution meets the agency's clearly stated requirements and criteria.

While the focus of an accreditation visit historically has been on the self-study report and the response to the report from HLC, the current process centers on self reflection, evaluation, assessment of student learning, and plans for improvement. The self-study process give us the opportunity as a community to come together to understand what we are doing, how well we accomplish it, and how we can become a better institution.

Accrediting Agencies

NCA is one of six regional educational accrediting bodies recognized by the federal government. NCA covers a nineteen state (mostly western and Midwestern) area, and over 1,000 institutions of higher learning hold membership in the Association. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC http://www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org/) is the body within NCA charged with reviewing institutions of higher education.