Accreditation

Hope College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. Additionally, 10 Hope academic programs have accreditation or approval from their nationally-recognized accrediting bodies and organizations.

Our HLC and program accreditations demonstrate that a Hope College degree meets the highest standards. Each accrediting body monitors and periodically reviews the college and our programs to ensure we continue meeting their standards.

Additional information from the HLC regarding Hope’s institutional accreditation can be found through the Mark of Affiliation. For more information about Hope College program accreditations and approvals, contact the Provost’s Office.

Higher Learning Commission

Hope College has been accredited for over a century. Hope was initially accredited in 1915 by the North Central Association. In 2014 the North Central Association became the Higher Learning Commission and our institutional accreditation moved to the HLC.

To maintain our HLC accreditation we continually meet their Criteria for Accreditation, Assumed Practices, Obligations of Membership, and Federal Compliance Requirements.

The HLC offers different pathways to continuing accreditation. Hope is on the HLC Open Pathway. This pathway includes a Comprehensive Evaluation every 10 years to reaffirm accreditation and a Mid-Point Review in Year 4 of the cycle. Between the Mid-Point Review and the next Comprehensive Evaluation, Hope completes a Quality Initiative project illustrating how we engage in continuous improvement for the benefit of our students.

Hope’s next Comprehensive Evaluation will take place in the 2023–24 academic year. As one part of the evaluation, a team of peer reviewers will visit Hope College on September 18–19, 2023. Across 2022 we are preparing our Assurance Argument, Evidence File, and Federal Compliance Filing. In early 2023 all members of the Hope community will have the opportunity to review these documents. After this internal review, the documents will be submitted to the Higher Learning Commission and reviewed by the peer-review team prior to the September 2023 college visit.

All Hope constituency groups — students, staff, faculty, administrators, board members, alumni and community members — play a role in our continued accreditation.

State of Michigan
Hope College has approval to operate as a private postsecondary educational institution from the State of Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Employment & Training office. Our approval to operate as a Class Y educational corporation was received on July 21, 2020. Documentation of this approval can be reviewed by contacting the Provost’s Office.
Hope College Location Approval

Hope College has State of Michigan and Higher Learning Commission approval to offer academic programs at two locations: our campus in Holland, and an additional location at the Muskegon Correctional Facility. State of Michigan and HLC approval were received in 2021 for the Muskegon location.

Program Accreditation and Approval

The following Hope College programs are recognized with program accreditation or approval in good standing

Contact HLC

Below is the contact information for the Higher Learning Commission if there is a need to file a concern/complaint:

230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604

info@hlcommission.org

800.621.7440 / 312.263.0456

Accreditation Resources for the Hope Community

Hope College Assurance Argument 2023

Hope College Federal Compliance Filing 2023

Higher Learning Commission Requirements

Hope College Accreditation Liaison Officer

Dr. Kathy Kremer
kremerk@hope.edu

Preparation for Hope’s 2023–24 Comprehensive Evaluation

  • Spring and Summer 2022  
    Campus stakeholder group meeting to identify evidence for our 2023 Assurance Argument and Federal Compliance Filing

  • Fall 2022
    Assurance Argument and Federal Compliance Filing document preparation and review by campus stakeholder groups

  • Spring 2023
    Assurance Argument and Federal Compliance Filing two-month campus review and comment period (March & April 2023)

    HLC Student Survey administration

  • Summer 2023
    Documents and evidence locked for HLC Peer Review Team review

  • Fall 2023
    Hope College welcomes the HLC Peer Review Team to campus September 18–19, 2023

Questions from the Hope College community regarding preparation for our 2023–24 Comprehensive Evaluation can be directed to provost@hope.edu or kremerk@hope.edu

Previous Hope College reports to the Higher Learning Commission
(Available to the Hope community)

Participate in the 2023 HLC Site Visit

A five-member peer review team from the HLC will be on our campus on September 18–19, 2023. This visit is a significant part of Hope’s 10-Year Comprehensive Evaluation.

During the site visit, reviewers have the opportunity to meet with students and employees. These meetings take place in both small groups and open sessions available for faculty, students and staff members.

You will be contacted directly if you are a participant in a small group conversation with the peer reviewers.

All faculty members, staff members, and students can participate in any of the following sessions. Prepare by reading this general guidance for staff and faculty members and guidance specific to each criteria session below.

Session Date and Time Location
Criteria 1 & 2: Mission and Integrity Monday, September 18
9:00-10:00 AM		 Haworth Hotel and Conference Center, 136/144
Criteria 3 & 4: Teaching and Learning Monday, September 18
3:00-4:00 PM		 Bultman Schaap Auditorium, Bultman Student Center
Criterion 5 and Future: Institutional Effectiveness, Planning, and Resources Tuesday, September 19
10:00-11:00 AM		 Jack Miller Performing Arts Center, 120

Open Session for Faculty, Staff, and Students

 Tuesday, September 19
11:00 AM-11:30 AM		 Haworth Hotel and Conference Center, 136/144

The Open Session is for students, faculty, and staff members who are not in college leadership roles.  

How can supervisors and administrators who are not in small group conversations still participate in the September 18–19 visit?

Because of the brief nature of peer review visits, some administrators and supervisors are not part of a small group session.

Many of you have already participated in Hope’s process by contributing information and evidence to our Assurance Argument and Federal Compliance Filing. Thank you!

Please also attend, and encourage your staff members to participate, in the criteria sessions most related to your work. There is also an open session when any faculty, staff, or student can engage with the peer reviewers. Ensure that there is adequate office coverage during that time. All staff members who wish to participate should be supported to do so.

Hope College 2022-23 Comprehensive Evaluation Timeline

Hope College 2022-23 Comprehensive Evaluation Timeline – full text on page above