Accreditation
Accreditation is a process in which institutions of higher learning are evaluated to ensure quality of the education they provide. As the accreditation process closely monitors all changes at accredited institutions, annual compliance reports are required of the institution and more comprehensive monitoring is done on longer-range cycles.
What is IRE's role in accreditation?
In order to maintain accreditation (or "reaffirm"), institutions must submit reports to their accreditors which collect basic institutional data. This includes annual data collection efforts as well as the submission of quality assurance reports in four and ten-year cycles. Specifically, the college must undergo an on-site comprehensive evaluation (led by a team of representatives from other institution) in year ten of each accreditation cycle, and a virtual Assurance Review four years after each accreditation reaffirmation (a "mid-cycle" review). The IRE office collects and submits annual reports, helps to coordinate the assembly of the quality assurance reports, and assists in logistics for the site visit.
By whom is Colorado College accredited?
Colorado College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Our most recent comprehensive review concluded in 2018 and the next site visit will occur in 2028. Our most recent mid-cycle review concluded in summer of 2022. Colorado College's current Statement of Accreditation is available on the HLC Website.
All teacher preparation programs at Colorado College, both undergraduate and the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program, are accredited jointly by the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).
How may these agencies be contacted?
The HLC may be contacted the following ways:
- Mail: 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-14143
- Phone: (800) 621-7440 / (312) 263-0456
- Fax: (312) 263-7462
- Email: info@hlcommission.org
The CDHE may be contacted the following ways:
- Mail: 1560 Broadway, #1600, Denver, CO 80202
- Phone: (303) 862-3001
- Fax: (303) 996-1329
The CDE may be contacted the following ways:
- Mail: 201 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80203
- Phone: (303) 866-6600
- Fax: (303) 830-0793