Introduction
The University of Illinois Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC; hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Founded in 1895, HLC is an independent corporation that accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the United States. As an institutional accreditor, HLC evaluates and accredits the university as a whole.
“Accreditation” is the process of external quality review used by higher education to scrutinize colleges, universities, and educational programs for quality assurance and quality improvement (Council for Higher Education Accreditation; CHEA, 2015). To learn more about accreditation in the United States, including its purpose and processes, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's "Accreditation in the U.S. webpage."
The Higher Learning Commission's comprehensive Ask the Right Questions: A Student Guide to Higher Education offers a valuable roadmap for students and other stakeholders. It outlines the range of choices available within higher education, highlights important questions to consider, and provides resources to help inform a student's educational journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
benefits of accreditation
Accreditation matters because it provides an external assurance that an institution or program meets established standards of quality and credibility. In higher education, accreditation serves as a trusted signal to students, employers, and funders that a school provides legitimate, rigorous education. This credibility is essential not only for the institution’s reputation but also for students’ access to financial aid and scholarships, many of which are available only to those enrolled in accredited institutions. . The U.S. Department of Education considers accreditation a key factor for institutions to distribute federal (Title IV) student financial aid. The accreditation process also enables programs and institutions to set goals for self-improvement and to raise standards in response to changing student needs.
Beyond funding, accreditation directly affects students’ academic and career mobility. Credits earned at accredited institutions are more likely to transfer between colleges, reducing the risk of lost time and money when students change schools. Many professional licenses and certifications also require degrees from accredited institutions, making accreditation essential for fields such as accounting, teaching, healthcare, engineering, law, and medicine, to name a few. Lastly, employers often list accredited degrees as a requirement, meaning accreditation can determine whether a graduate qualifies for certain jobs or career paths.
specialized accreditation function
UIC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditor. Institutional accreditation means that the university meets broad organizational quality standards. In addition, UIC offers many programs that are accredited by specialized or programmatic accreditors, indicating that the academic program meets quality educational standards for that profession. In many professions, from nursing to architecture, and physical therapy to engineering, state laws and employer preferences may require students to earn their degree from a program accredited by a specialized accrediting body. See the complete list of UIC programs with specialized accreditation.
specialized accreditation information
The Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA) provides a list of specialized accreditors by profession and field of study. You can choose a profession of interest and visit the specialized accreditor’s website to find programs accredited by that specialized accreditor.
transfer credits and accreditation
Most colleges and universities, including UIC, require that the credits accepted for transfer have been earned at an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Students looking to transfer should find out about the transfer policies of the college or university to which they are interested in transferring. For more information on UIC’s transfer policies, please visit Transfer Requirements/UIC Admissions.