Accreditation
Â鶹´«Ã½¹ÙÍø is accredited by . Additionally, 10 Hope academic programs have accreditation or approval from their nationally-recognized accrediting bodies and organizations.
Our HLC and program accreditations demonstrate that a Â鶹´«Ã½¹ÙÍø degree meets the highest standards. Each accrediting body monitors and periodically reviews the college and our programs to ensure we continue meeting their standards.
Hope’s accreditation was most recently reaffirmed by the HLC in 2024 following a successful . Our next comprehensive evaluation will take place in the 2033–34 academic year. Information from the HLC regarding Hope’s institutional accreditation can be found through the Mark of Affiliation. For more information about Â鶹´«Ã½¹ÙÍø program accreditations and approvals, contact the Provost’s Office.
- Higher Learning Commission
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Â鶹´«Ã½¹ÙÍø has been accredited for over a century. Hope was initially accredited in 1915 by the North Central Association. In 2014 the North Central Association became the Higher Learning Commission and our institutional accreditation moved to the HLC.
To maintain our HLC accreditation we continually meet their Criteria for Accreditation, Assumed Practices, Obligations of Membership, and Federal Compliance Requirements.
The HLC offers different pathways to continuing accreditation. Hope is on the HLC Open Pathway. This pathway includes a Comprehensive Evaluation every 10 years to reaffirm accreditation and a Mid-Point Review in Year 4 of the cycle. Between the Mid-Point Review and the next Comprehensive Evaluation, Hope completes a Quality Initiative project illustrating how we engage in continuous improvement for the benefit of our students.
All Hope constituency groups — students, staff, faculty, administrators, board members, alumni and community members — play a role in our continued accreditation.
- State of Michigan
- Â鶹´«Ã½¹ÙÍø has approval to operate as a private postsecondary educational institution
from the State of Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Employment
& Training office. Our approval to operate as a Class Y educational corporation was
received on July 21, 2020. Documentation of this approval can be reviewed by contacting
the Provost’s Office.
- Â鶹´«Ã½¹ÙÍø Location Approval
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Â鶹´«Ã½¹ÙÍø has State of Michigan and Higher Learning Commission approval to offer academic programs at two locations: our campus in Holland, and an additional location at the Muskegon Correctional Facility. State of Michigan and HLC approval were received in 2021 for the Muskegon location.
- Program Accreditation and Approval
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The following Â鶹´«Ã½¹ÙÍø programs are recognized with program accreditation or approval in good standing
- Art History, Studio Art, and Art Education: (next review 2023–24)
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology: (next review 2028)
- Chemistry: (next review 2024)
- Dance: (next review 2027–28)
- Education: (next review 2026)
- Engineering: (next review 2023–24)
- Music, Music Performance, and Music Education: (next review 2026–27)
- Nursing: (next review 2029)
- Social Work: (next review 2025)
- Theatre: (next review 2024–25)
- Contact HLC
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Below is the contact information for the Higher Learning Commission if there is a need to file a concern/complaint:
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604800.621.7440 / 312.263.0456
- Accreditation Resources for the Hope Community
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Higher Learning Commission Requirements
Â鶹´«Ã½¹ÙÍø
Allison Moore
moorea@hope.eduPrevious Â鶹´«Ã½¹ÙÍø reports to the Higher Learning Commission
(Available to the Hope community)- submitted as part of our 2013–14 Comprehensive Evaluation
- submitted as part of our Mid-Cycle Review
- additional required report to demonstrate progress on Core Component 1.C. — additional report required in 2021
- additional required report to demonstrate progress on Core Component 1.C. — accepted by the HLC
Â鶹´«Ã½¹ÙÍø 2023–2034 Accreditation Timeline
