Standard and Open Pathways | The Higher Learning Commission

Open Pathway

The Open Pathway is designed primarily for institutions that have completed at least one pathway cycle and are otherwise eligible to choose their pathway. The Open Pathway supports the pursuit of innovative or strategic improvement projects, known as Quality Initiatives.

Some institutions on the Open Pathway undergo a virtual Assurance Review in Year 4. Beginning in September 2025, certain eligible institutions may opt to complete a Quality Initiative project focused on student success during Years 1–4 in lieu of this review. All institutions on the Open Pathway complete a Quality Initiative on a topic of their choice during Years 5–9 and undergo a comprehensive evaluation in Year 10.

Pathway Reviews

Years 1–4: Assurance Review or Student Success Quality Initiative

At the time an institution selects its Pathway for its next accreditation cycle, it may be eligible to choose to complete a Student Success Quality Initiative, rather than participate in a mid-cycle Assurance Review in Year 4. Institutions that are not eligible for the Student Success Quality Initiative will be required to complete the mid-cycle Assurance Review.

Years 5–9: Open Quality Initiative

What to expect: All institutions are required to design and implement a project to improve an aspect of their organization, or to pursue a strategic initiative. Institutions submit a project proposal between Years 5 and 7, and then report on the outcomes between Years 7 and 9. Peer reviewers evaluate the project proposal and outcomes report. The topic is of the institution’s own choosing, thus it is “open.”

Peer reviewers evaluate the project proposal and outcomes report, unless an institution chooses to participate in an HLC Academy for its Open Quality Initiative. In those cases, the institution’s Academy application takes the place of its proposal and the institution’s report is reviewed through a different process.

Quality Initiative Process

Year 10: Comprehensive Evaluation for Reaffirmation of Accreditation

What to expect: At the end of the Year 10 evaluation process, HLC determines whether the institution’s accreditation should be reaffirmed. Institutions are evaluated based on HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation and other requirements. Peer reviewers evaluate institutional materials, visit campus and consider feedback from students and community members. The team also reviews the institution’s compliance with certain federal requirements.

Comprehensive Evaluation Process

Pathway Expenses

HLC’s annual dues distribute the cost of maintaining accreditation evenly over each Pathway cycle. Therefore, institutions do not pay base fees for Assurance Reviews, Quality Initiative Proposals and Reports, and comprehensive evaluations.

Institutions will still be billed for the Year 4 Assurance Review team’s honoraria, if applicable, and for expenses related to peer review team visits required as part of the comprehensive evaluation. Team expenses for comprehensive evaluations include travel, honoraria and facility expenses. If a multi-campus visit is required as part of the comprehensive evaluation, a visit fee will apply.

An institution that completes a Student Success Quality Initiative will also be billed for the honoraria of the peer review panels that evaluate the institution’s proposal and report.