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.

Hope’s accreditation was most recently reaffirmed by the HLC in 2024 following a successful 2023 comprehensive evaluation and site visit. Our next comprehensive evaluation will take place in the 2033–34 academic year. 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.

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

HLC Review Team Final Report

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

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

Hope College 2023–2034 Accreditation Timeline

Hope College 2023-34 Comprehensive Evaluation Timeline – full text on page above