WIU Accreditation Overview
Western Illinois University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission-North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (Commission). Receiving institutional accreditation by the Commission is designed to provide assurance to the public, and particularly to prospective students, that the University meets clearly stated criteria and that there are reasonable grounds for believing that it will continue to meet them. Institutional accreditation is also required for the University to receive and disperse federal Title IV financial aid and assures that Western Illinois University credit hours and degrees are transferable to other accredited institutions of higher education.
Institutional accreditation decisions are based on meaningful self study processes and corresponding site visitations. Western Illinois University’s last site team visit was in 2001. The University received a ten-year reaccreditation with no stipulations about interim reports or visits. This is the most favorable outcome the accreditation process allows. Since that visit, the University received Commission authorization to begin offering its first doctoral degree n 2005 and the University completed its required site focus visit in 2008, again with no stipulations about interim reports or visits.
The University is next scheduled for a site visit in academic year 2010-2011. By using the Higher Values in Higher Education Strategic Plan, we will study the five criteria for re-accreditation and engage in a special emphasis focusing on: adapting best practices in distance learning, growing and strengthening our two campuses, and measuring and enacting our core values. By the end of academic year 2008-2009, there will be draft reports shared with the campus and external community for review and feedback.