OU Earns Reaffirmation of Accreditation from Higher Learning Commission
Following a comprehensive evaluation of its academic standards, quality assurance and continuous improvement, the University of Oklahoma has received full reaffirmation of accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Accreditation is the formal recognition that an educational institution meets or exceeds established standards. OU has earned continuous accreditation from the HLC since 1913, and the reaffirmation of accreditation signifies the HLC’s endorsement of the university’s educational quality and continuous pursuit of excellence.
This designation comes after a lengthy process that included a written Assurance Argument with input from a team of OU faculty and staff and a three-day site visit from an HLC external peer review team in May 2023. During the site visit, the team of peer reviewers toured OU’s campuses to evaluate the content of the Assurance Argument in relation to what they experience in meeting with various groups of stakeholders, including students, staff, faculty, and administrators.
OU is on what the HLC calls an “Open Pathway,” a 10-year cycle available to institutions that have a demonstrated history of operational excellence. The Open Pathway has several milestones throughout the 10 years of each cycle, each of which is designed to provide the HLC with detailed information about institutional health and direction. The cycle culminates in the site visit and the submission of the Assurance Argument. The reviewers report their findings to the HLC, which then votes on whether to approve an institution for another 10-year cycle. OU’s next comprehensive review for reaccreditation will take place in 2032-33.
For additional information on the accreditation process or to read the HLC Reaffirmation of Accreditation Action Letter for the University of Oklahoma, visit ou.edu/hlc2023.
