The HLC accreditation process is designed to ensure quality throughout the institution
and compliance with federal and state regulations. Accreditation is required for federal
funding and the transferability of curriculum, from degrees, certificates and licenses,
through to individual courses. A critical part of the accreditation process involves
the college establishing that it meets the standards of quality by which HLC determines
whether an institution merits accreditation or reaffirmation of accreditation; the
standards of quality are known as the criteria for accreditation. The process culminates
with an evaluation team site visit.
Accreditation Criteria
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) requires Terra State Community College to meet
the established criteria outlined below and select either the Open or Standard Pathway
for the next Reaffirmation of Accreditation visit set for 2033-2034. TSCC must provide
evidence that demonstrates it meets each Criterion to be fully accredited.
Criterion 1 – Mission
The institution’s mission is clear and articulated publicly; it guides the institution’s
operations.
1.A. Mission Alignment The institution’s educational programs, enrollment profile and scope of operations
align with its publicly articulated mission.
1.B. Mission and Public Good The institution’s operation of the academic enterprise demonstrates its commitment
to serving the public good.
1.C. Mission and Diversity of Society 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 2 – Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct
In fulfilling its mission, the institution acts with integrity; its conduct is ethical
and responsible.
2.A. Integrity Actions taken by the institution’s governing board, administration, faculty, and staff
demonstrate adherence to established policies and procedures.
2.B. Transparency The institution presents itself accurately and completely to students and the public
with respect to its educational programs and any claims it makes related to the educational
experience.
2.C. Board Governance In discharging its fiduciary duties, the institution’s governing board is free from
undue external influence and empowered to act in the best interests of the institution,
including the students it serves.
2.D. Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression The institution supports academic
freedom and freedom of expression in the pursuit of knowledge as integral to high-quality
teaching, learning, and research.
2.E. Knowledge Acquisition, Discovery, and Application The institution adheres to policies and procedures that ensure responsible acquisition,
discovery, and application of knowledge.
Criterion 3 – Teaching and Learning for Student Success
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 are consistent
regardless of modality, location, or other differentiating factors.
3.A. Educational Programs The institution maintains learning goals and outcomes that reflect a level of rigor
commensurate with college-level work, including by program level and the content of
each of its educational programs.
3.B. Exercise of Intellectual Inquiry The institution’s educational programs engage students in collecting, analyzing, and
communicating information; in practicing modes of intellectual inquiry or creative
work; and in developing skills adaptable to changing environments.
3.C. Sufficiency of Faculty and Staff The institution has the faculty and staff needed for effective, high-quality programs
and student services.
3.D. Support for Student Learning and Resources for Teaching The institution provides student support services that address the needs of its student
populations, as well as the teaching resources and infrastructure necessary for student
success.
3.E. Assessment of Student Learning The institution improves the quality of educational programs based on its assessment
of student learning.
3.F. Program Review The institution improves its curriculum based on periodic program review.
3.G. Student Success Outcomes The institution’s student success outcomes demonstrate continuous improvement, taking
into account the student populations it serves and benchmarks that reference peer
institutions.
Criterion 4 – 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.
4.A. Effective Administrative Structures The institution’s administrative structures are effective and facilitate collaborative
processes, such as shared governance, data-informed decision-making, and engagement
with internal and external constituencies, as appropriate.
4.B. Resource Base and Sustainability The institution’s financial and personnel resources effectively support its current
operations. The institution’s financial management balances short-term needs with
long-term commitments and ensures its ongoing sustainability.
4.C. Planning for Quality Improvement The institution engages in systematic strategic planning for quality improvement.
It relies on data, integrating its insights from enrollment forecasts, financial capacity,
student learning assessment, institutional operations and the external environment.
There are two primary pathways for Reaffirmation of Accreditation: Standard and Open.
Terra State follows the ten-year Open Pathway accreditation cycle.
Years 1 through 3
Prepare Assurance Filing
Year 4
Mid-cycle Assurance Review
Years 5 through 7
Institution may contribute documents to Evidence File
Submit Quality Initiative (QI) Proposal or commit to Assessment Academy or other alternative
to QI proposal. Terra State has committed to the Assessment Academy
Quality Initiative Proposal or alternative reviewed and accepted by peer evaluators
and implemented
TSCC's project focused on ensuring all academic programs with full-time faculty have
relevant and measurable learning outcomes and establish assessing co-curricular activities
such as tutoring and advising services.
Years 7 through 9
Institution may contribute documents to Evidence File
Comprehensive evaluation conducted by peer evaluators -- with site visit
HLC acts on comprehensive evaluation and makes reaffirmation decision
Comprehensive Evaluation for Reaffirmation
Federal Compliance
HLC will review Terra State’s compliance with federal compliance in the following areas listed below as part of the reaffirmation accreditation process:
Assignment of credits, program length and tuition
Institutional records of student complaints
Publication of transfer policies
Practices for verification of student identity (online)
Publication of student outcomes data
Standing with state and other accrediting agencies
