University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati (UC) and all regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Additionally, UC is an Ohio Public Institution, and each of its programs are approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE).

Accreditation is a process used to ensure that an institution meets the standards of quality necessary in higher education. Institutions agree upon those minimum standards in order to establish the criteria for accreditation. Accrediting agencies then facilitate a review process, including peer evaluation, to ensure that the institutions meet those standards. Every accredited institution must provide evidence that it continues to meet these standards and delivers a high quality educational experience for its students. This important process requires that institutions prove to their peers that they are deeply committed to educational quality and continuous improvement.

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent corporation that was founded in 1895 as one of seven regional institutional accreditors in the United States. HLC accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions, and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to act on its behalf as an institutional accrediting agency. The mission of the HLC is to "advance the common good through quality assurance of higher education as the leader in equitable, transformative and trusted accreditation in the service of students and member institutions.”

The University of Cincinnati maintains its HLC accreditation through the Open Pathway process. The University is currently accredited by the Higher Learning Commission with the most recent reaffirmation of accreditation received in 2018. Reaccreditation is conducted on a ten-year cycle. This process includes writing an Assurance Argument, demonstrating Federal Compliance, and hosting a site visit by a team of reviewers comprised of faculty and staff from other universities with similar missions. As part of the Assurance Review, the institution submits an Assurance Argument - along with materials of evidence - explaining how the institution complies with each of the criteria for accreditation.

There are many good reasons to attend an accredited institution, including:

In Fall 2022, UC successfully completed its Year 4 Assurance Review with no recommended monitoring. This review is conducted to ensure that the institution remains in compliance with the criteria for accreditation and assumed practices. UC updated its Assurance Argument which was then evaluated by a team of peer reviewers.

In September 2018, the University successfully underwent its reaffirmation of accreditation, a rigorous process that occurs every ten years.

In 2009, UC was approved for continued accreditation following a comprehensive evaluation. Below are documents prepared by the university and evaluated by our peer review.