What is the Higher Learning Commission
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent corporation that was founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States (NMHU was founded in 1893). HLC accredits degree-granting post secondary educational institutions in 19 states. While the HLC is not a government entity, the U.S. Department of Education recognizes the Commission as the verifying agency for federally defined standards.
What is accreditation
The U.S. Department of Education defines accreditation as “the recognition that an institution maintains standards requisite for its graduates to gain admission to other reputable institutions of higher learning or to achieve credentials for professional practice. The goal of accreditation is to ensure that education provided by institutions of higher education meets acceptable levels of quality.” See the U.S. Department of Education’s webpage for more information.
Why is accreditation important
As a student, you want to be able to tell yourself, your parents, friends, employers, and possible future higher education institutions that the education you received is vetted by by your peers in the field and has met at least the minimum qualifications for a robust, complete, and quantifiable education. For the institution, accreditation provides the opportunity to offer many federal and state resources to students that would not be available without going through the vigorous accreditation process.
Is New Mexico Highlands University accredited
NMHU is fully accredited. The HLC website updates daily on all the institutions it oversees and you can always find the accreditation status of NMHU and other institutions the HLC reviews here.
Any additional questions may be directed to Dr. Keith Tucker, the HLC Director for NMHU, at rktucker@nmhu.edu.