Institutional Accreditation - New Casper College

Casper College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) through a regular process of peer review of demonstration of commitment and evidence of practice of various criteria.

What

The Criteria for Accreditation are the standards of quality by which the Commission determines whether an institution merits accreditation or reaffirmation of accreditation. They are as follows:

Criterion One: Mission. The institution’s educational programs, enrollment profile and scope of operations align with its publicly articulated mission.

Criterion Two: Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct. The institution provides opportunities for civic engagement in a diverse, multicultural society and globally connected world, as appropriate within its mission and for the constituencies it serves.

Criterion Three: Teaching and Learning for Student Success: Quality, Resources, and Support. The institution demonstrates responsibility for the quality of its educational programs, learning environments and support services, and it evaluates their effectiveness in fulfilling its mission. The rigor and quality of each educational program is consistent regardless of modality, location or other differentiating factors.

Criterion Four: Sustainability: Institutional Effectiveness, Resources, and Planning. The institution’s resources, structures, policies, procedures and planning enable it to fulfill its mission, improve the quality of its educational programs, and respond to future challenges and opportunities.

Why

The accreditation process focuses attention and resources on continuous improvement of learning opportunities for all students.
Institutional accreditation ensures acceptance of earned credit and degree credential transfer to U.S. schools and work places.
Institutional accreditation is necessary to ensure that institutions are eligible for federal financial aid.

How

How are Institutions Accredited? Institutions of higher education in the United States seek accreditation through two types of accreditation agencies: institutional and specialized. Institutional accreditors, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, evaluate degree-granting colleges and universities to ensure they meet established standards of quality. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an institutional accreditor that accredits degree-granting institutions of higher education throughout the United States, with a historical focus on institutions located in the central region. Institutions accredited by HLC are evaluated against the Commission’s Criteria for Accreditation, a comprehensive set of standards institutions must meet to achieve or maintain accredited status. The accreditation process is grounded in peer review, with approximately 1,450 higher education professionals serving as peer reviewers to conduct institutional evaluations. Casper College was first accredited by the North Central Association (now known as HLC) in 1960. Casper College has remained continuously accredited to the present with the last formal peer review and accreditation statement in 2019.

Who

Casper College has organized an HLC steering committee with representatives from across campus. The HLC steering committee’s mission is proactively to advise the College on all significant matters related to maintaining institutional accreditation by the HLC.

History

Casper College submitted an Assurance Argument and hosted an HLC comprehensive site visit in October 2018. As part of its obligation to remain compliant in the HLC Open Pathway, the Casper College HLC Steering Committee submitted an Assurance Review in April 2023. The Assurance Review demonstrates how the institution meets HLC standards for continuing accreditation.