HLC Accreditation Review Cycle
UMD is on the 10-year Open Pathway cycle for maintaining accreditation with HLC. This cycle includes the following institutional reviews:
- An annual Institutional Update, which is reviewed by HLC to monitor institutional health, ensure compliance with certain federal requirements, and identify any changes that may require HLC follow-up.
- An Assurance Review in Year 4 of the cycle documents that the institution continues to meet the HLC Criteria for Accreditation. A peer review team evaluates an Assurance Argument prepared by the institution and makes the appropriate recommendation to the HLC Institutional Actions Council for further review and potential action.
- A Quality Initiative project is designed and completed in Years 5-9 of the cycle. A peer review team evaluates the proposal and the outcomes report for this process.
- Year 10 of the cycle marks the Comprehensive Evaluation process in which the institution completes another Assurance Argument for external review. In addition, this report requires the Federal Compliance Form as documentation to ensure the institution meets U.S. Department of Education requirements. This review also involves a site visit by the peer review team. UMD's next site visit will occur in 2028.