HLC requires all accredited institutions to meet five
over-arching “Criteria” for accreditation. Encompassed in those five
criteria are 21 “Core Components” of HLC expectations. The
evaluation team that visited LCU concluded that LCU met 20 of the 21
core components without reservation.
One core component, that “the institution demonstrates a
commitment to educational achievement and improvement through
ongoing assessment of student learning” was determined to be met,
but “with concerns.” Though the team expressed appreciation for
LCU’s efforts in this area, LCU will host a focused visit on
assessment in two years (Spring 2018) “to monitor the institution’s
continued progress in the ongoing assessment of student learning for
use in educational improvement and planning.”
LCU was first accredited by the Higher Learning Commission in 1991
and hosted its first HLC reaffirmation visit since 2006 in the fall
of 2015. The Higher Learning Commission is an independent
corporation that was founded in 1895 as one of six regional
institutional accreditors in the United States. It accredits
degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in 19 states
that comprise the North Central region.
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“We are not finished yet,” says Silas McCormick, Vice President of Academics.
“We still have the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the Association
of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) visiting in the coming weeks, but our
reaffirmation from HLC is a major accomplishment for LCU and I am deeply
grateful for all of the work that many, many people did to make that possible.”
Established in Lincoln, Illinois, in 1944, LCU’s mission is to equip Christians
to serve and lead in the church, the workplace, and the world. LCU offers a
variety of degree programs for undergraduate, graduate and seminary students.
Classes are offered on campus, on site or online. To learn more visit
www.lincolnchristian.edu.
[Chris Thomas, Lincoln Christian
University] |