Twin Cities & Rochester Institutional Accreditation
The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and Rochester campuses follow the Higher Learning Commission’s Open Pathway accreditation process. The Open Pathway follows a ten-year comprehensive review cycle and is focused on quality assurance and institutional improvement, ensuring that institutions meet HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation. The ten-year cycle includes:
- Regular Monitoring: An annual Institutional Update to ensure compliance with federal requirements.
- Year 4: An Assurance Review to ensure HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation and Core Components are still being met.
- Years 5-9: A Quality Initiative project identified by the institution.
- Year 10: Comprehensive Evaluation for Reaffirmation involving both a written "assurance argument" and a campus visit.
The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities’ last comprehensive review and reaffirmation took place in October of 2015 and the next one is scheduled for September 2025. The Rochester campus, founded in 2006, was reviewed along with the Twin Cities campus during the reaffirmation of accreditation, a process overseen by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
HLC Statement of Accreditation Status
In 2025, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and Rochester campuses will undergo a review to reaffirm accreditation status with the Higher Learning Commission.
- The Higher Learning Commission website describes the accreditation relationship between the University of Minnesota and the HLC.
- The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities/RO Official Mark of Accreditation is available for viewing on the UMN website.
Comprehensive Evaluation Updates