Overview
Arkansas State University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC). A-State was first accredited in 1928 and has had continuous accreditation since that time. Arkansas State participates in the Open Pathway option for maintaining accreditation with HLC that follows a 10-year cycle with a Quality Initiative and a comprehensive review in year ten. The Open Pathway is focused on quality assurance and institutional improvement. A-State’s next HLC comprehensive evaluation is scheduled for the 2023-2024 academic year.
The Quailty Initiative is a major improvement effort that occurs during years five and nine of the accreditation cycle.
The accreditation evaluation has two key components. First, the assurance argument process requires that the university review the five Criteria for Accreditation and provide evidence that these criteria and their core components are being fully met. In addition, this provides the university community with the opportunity to take a close look at its strengths and challenges for the future. Secondly, the process will culminate with a visit to campus by a team of HLC consultant-evaluators who will verify the accuracy of the assurance argument and then offer suggestions for the continued success of Arkansas State.
