What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a process that evaluates the quality of an institution’s academic programs, operations, and support services and provides a road map for improvement. At NMSU many units, including colleges and programs, are accredited by specialized accreditation agencies. As a whole, NMSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). For more information about the HLC, you can go to the HLC website at hlcommission.org or call 800.621.7440.
NMSU’s relationship with the HLC goes back a long time and as a result of the last successful review and subsequent reaffirmation of accreditation the Las Cruces campus was put on the Open Pathways option. Open Pathways has many benefits, including the independence to engage in a project geared toward campus needs and aspirations, referred to by the HLC as the Quality Initiative. Through some reflection, the decision was made to focus on student writing as NMSU’s project, which increased efforts and placed a greater focus on existing resources that had a positive impact on student writing.
In the United States, the accreditation process is organized through regional accrediting commissions and member institutions. Accreditation is critical not only to the institution, but also to our students. Information about accreditation in the United States and other avenues for institutions to receive Title IV funding can be found on the following websites.
Accreditation Liaisons
The NMSU Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness is responsible for oversight of all NMSU-system accreditations, including each campus’ regional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission and all specialized professional accreditations. The Associate Provost monitors and maintains updated information on all of NMSU’s accreditations, and provides guidance and support as needed to those who are directly engaged in maintaining accreditations for their college and/or program(s).
All Accreditation Liaisons (ALOs and PALs) are responsible for maintaining ongoing and open communication with the Associate Provost of Institutional Effectiveness and their respective Dean or VP, regarding all accreditation matters.
HLC Accreditation
2021-22 Four Year Interim Reporting
NMSU will submit its four-year interim accreditation report to the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) during the 2021-22 academic year. The HLC identifies five Criteria for Accreditation, in addition to adherence to assumed practices and federal compliance, that the institution must address in the form of an Assurance Argument to retain its accreditation status. In preparation, NMSU is developing “Criteria Teams” to specifically address each of the five criteria, as well as a team that will work on the branch campus report for the NMSU-Grants campus, which is accredited with the Las Cruces campus.
NMSU is currently accredited by the HLC. After meeting all criteria for accreditation with no concerns in 2018, our next comprehensive re-affirmation of accreditation is scheduled to occur during the 2027-28 academic year. The HLC is a regional accreditation agency that accredits degree-granting colleges and universities that are based in a 19-state region of the United States. NMSU has been accredited institutionally accredited since 1926, with uninterrupted accreditation as a doctoral degree granting institution since 1963. NMSU is on the Open Pathway for reaffirmation of accreditation.
HLC Criteria for Accreditation
1. Mission
The institution’s mission is clear and articulated publicly; it guides the institution’s operations.
2. Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct
The institution acts with integrity; its conduct is ethical and responsible.
3. Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support
The institution provides high quality education, wherever and however its offerings are delivered.
4. Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement
The institution demonstrates responsibility for the quality of its educational programs, learning environments, and support services, and it evaluates their effectiveness for student learning through processes designed to promote continuous improvement.
5. Resources, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness
The institution’s resources, structures, and processes are sufficient to fulfill its mission, improve the quality of its educational offerings, and respond to future challenges and opportunities. The institution plans for the future.
