HLC Comprehensive Evaluation

Institutional Accreditation

Harry S Truman College is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning
Commission (HLC). The Higher Learning Commission is recognized by the U.S.
Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. The Higher Learning Commission last reaffirmed Harry S Truman College’s institutional accreditation in 2010, following a comprehensive site visit. During this visit the college received the maximum ten year reaffirmation of accreditation. The next comprehensive site visit is scheduled for spring of 2020. ​    ​​​ ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​  ​ ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Comprehensive Evaluation Process

​There are five components to the Comprehensive Evaluation and reaffirmation process under the HLC Open
Pathway:

  1. Quality Initiative (QI): Completed between years 5 and 9 of the 10-year cycle. The QI provides the college with the opportunity to develop or continue a quality improvement project.
  2. Federal Compliance Review: A report submitted within the last year of the 10-year cycle to ensure the college is in compliance with Title IV program responsibilities and other U.S. Department of Education Regulations under the Higher Education Act.
  3. Assurance Argument: A comprehensive narrative with supporting evidence submitted by the college within the last year of the 10-year cycle. The argument is the college’s opportunity to address how it has met the HLC criteria for accreditation.
  4. Student Opinion Survey: Survey completed electronically by current students and informs HLC peer review teams about students’ opinions and experiences at the institution. The survey is an opportunity for students to participate in the reaffirmation process.
  5. Comprehensive Evaluation Visit: An on-site, 1.5-day visit to the college by an assigned team of HLC peer reviewers. The purpose of this visit is to verify that statements made by the college in submitted materials are accurate, as well as to review the college’s capacity to meet criteria for accreditation.

                                                         

Institutional Accreditation Assurance Argument Process

​​Harry S Truman College’s Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs oversees and is responsible for the College’s institutional accreditation processes. This includes coordinating self-study activities and maintaining communication mechanisms with both the campus community and the public in preparation for the Higher Learning Commission’s team visit to the campus on March 9-10, 2020.

                                                       
Collaborating across the College, District Office administration, and with the public, the College is engaged in ongoing comprehensive institutional continuous improvement efforts. Harry S Truman College’s assurance argument reviews campus programs and processes and presents evidence to demonstrate to the Higher Learning Commission and to all stakeholders that the College is achieving its stated mission and that its culture of student learning, assessment, and continuous improvement processes appropriately support that mission.                                                         

Contact

​Please direct questions regarding Harry S Truman College’s institutional accreditation to Kate Connor, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, kconnor@ccc.edu, 773-907-4051.

                                                         
For additional information about the regional accreditation of Harry S Truman College, contact the Higher Learning Commission at:                                                        
                                                         

230 South LaSalle, Suite 7-500                                                          
Chicago, IL 60604-1411                                                          
Phone: 1-800-621-7440                                                          
Fax: 312-263-7462                                                          
info@hlcommission.org​                                                  
                                                 

                                          

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Accreditation Overview

​There are three types of accreditation that exist in the United States: National, Regional, and Specialized. National associations accredit single-focused institutions (e.g. a faith-based institution).

                                                      
The Higher Learning Commission is one of eight regional accrediting associations. It accredits over 1,000 institutions of higher education across nineteen states, including Illinois.                                                                                                           
Specialized accrediting associations do not accredit institutions; they accredit professional or specialized programs (e.g., engineering, allied health, nursing, child development, medicine, law, psychology).                                                                       
Enrolling in and graduating from an accredited university or community college, such as any one of the seven City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), is critical to CCC students for a number of reasons. For example, in Illinois:                                                       
                                                       
U.S. Department of Education:                                                                              
  • ​Provides federal financial aid (e.g., PELL grants) for students enrolled in institutions accredited by the Higher Learning Commission;
  • Considers requests for grants from institutions that are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

                                                       

State Regulatory Agencies:                                                                                                         
  • ​Provide state grants (e.g., MAP) for students who are enrolled in institutions that are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission;
  • Allow students who have graduated from programs accredited by the appropriate specialized accrediting association to sit for national licensure exams.

                                                      

Universities and Four-Year Colleges:                                                                                               
  • Accept transfer credit for the Associate Degree and IAI approved courses from Illinois community colleges that are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

                                                       

Employers:                                                                                                        
  • Evaluate transcripts from applicants who are enrolled in or have graduated from Illinois community colleges and universities that are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Harry S Truman College State Recognition and Specialized Accreditation    

                                           

The City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) and Harry S Truman College (TRC) are recognized by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB).  At least once every five years ICCB conducts a recognition visit for various community college districts. CCC and TRC are officially "recognized" as an institution which meets the ICCB standards.  Please click the file below for verification of the current ICCB recognition status.​                                          
                                                    
State Agency Status Last Recognition Visit Next Recognition Report and Visit
Illinois Community College Board​ Recognized
(view certificate)		 October 2018 2023

                                                    

                                          

Harry S Truman College has three academic programs that are fully accredited by specialty accreditors. Specialized accreditation demonstrates the program listed below meets academic and industry standards prescribed by the respective accreditor.​                                                 
                                                   
Academic Program Program Accreditor Status Last Comprehensive Visit Next Comprehensive Report and Visit
Automotive Technology ASE Education Foundation (Previously, National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF)) Accredited Spring 2018 Spring 2023
Child Development National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accredited Fall 2014 Fall 2021
Middle College High School​ Advance Education, Inc. Accredited – –

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