What Faculty Should Know About Accreditation

Faculty member standing in front of students

Importance of Institutional Accreditation

  • Ensures the value and recognition of KU degrees.
  • Allows the university to receive federal funding, including financial aid for students.
  • Signals to students, employers and other educational institutions that KU meets or exceeds national standards.
  • Necessary for the accreditation of individual schools and programs.

KU Mission

KU has a single mission for the University: To educate leaders, build healthy communities, and make discoveries that change the world. 

HLC reviewers are looking for a compelling story of mission fulfillment in the quest for continuous improvement. When KU can clearly articulate how our mission drives everything we do including strategic planning, student outcomes, scholarly innovation, and community care, it not only aids in the reaffirmation of accreditation, but it also strengthens our reputation and identity as Jayhawks.

Academic Continuous Improvement

HLC prioritizes academic quality through a strong emphasis on the continuous assessment of student learning and educational outcomes. Institutions are expected to establish clear learning goals and use systematic methods to measure student achievement. KU has established and measures institutional learning goals and program learning outcomes, which are mapped to the institutional learning goals.

Strategic Planning 

Strategic planning is a critical component of the HLC accreditation process, as it ensures KU has a clear, forward-thinking roadmap aligned with the mission, vision, and values. Through strategic planning, institutions demonstrate their commitment to continuous improvement, resource allocation, and meeting the needs of students, staff, faculty and critical stakeholders. 

Learn more about the strategic alignment framework.