Accreditation
UW-Whitewater is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) [External link] open pathway, a regional accreditor that ensures educational quality for post-secondary institutions in 19 states. HLC does an in-depth evaluation of our mission, integrity, quality of instruction, processes for evaluating and improving teaching and learning, and our overall institutional effectiveness, resources, and planning. HLC accreditation is very important for our campus, impacting things such as how we use our budget, transfer credits, and access to federal funds - including student loans.
UW-Whitewater’s last comprehensive HLC review was in 2022-2023. The review was very positive and resulted in full reaccreditation.
Quality of student learning assessment is one of the key factors considered in the accreditation process. Throughout our most recent review, the quality of our assessment processes and widespread involvement of faculty, staff, and students from across campus were noted as strengths.
For further details, you may review the HLC’s accreditation process [External link].
HLC will complete a year four assurance review in October 2026.
In between 10th year reviews, the university provides official updates (see figure below; UW-Whitewater is on HLC’s Open Pathway for accreditation). For more information about the accreditation cycle and process, please contact UWW’s Accreditation Liaison Officer, Katy Casey.
Ten-Year Cycle for HLC’s Open Pathway
Program/Unit Accreditation
In addition to university-wide accreditation, several programs or units are also approved by discipline-specific accrediting Bodies. Program-level accrediting agencies provide guidelines for content to cover, the kinds and level of instruction expected, practical experiences students should gain, instructor-to-student ratios, and instructor training and preparation.
Below is a full list of the programs or units and respective review dates.