Higher Learning Commission Accreditation

MSU Denver is a comprehensive, baccalaureate- and master’s-degree granting urban university that offers arts and sciences, professional and business courses and programs to a diverse student population in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Excellence in teaching and learning is MSU Denver’s primary objective.

MSU Denver’s mission is to provide a high-quality, accessible, enriching education that prepares students for successful careers, post-graduate education and lifelong learning in a multicultural, global and technological society. To fulfill its mission, MSU Denver’s diverse university community engages the community at large in scholarly inquiry, creative activity and the application of knowledge.

MSU Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

The accreditation process, led by the Office of Curriculum, Academic Effectiveness and Policy Development, provides MSU Denver with the opportunity to share its story and inform the higher education community in the region and the nation about the transformational work that takes place on our campus.

Please email questions to Shaun Schafer, Vice Provost and Accreditation Liaison Officer.

Higher Learning Commission Comprehensive Evaluation

Visit Scheduled for September 28–29, 2026

Metropolitan State University of Denver will host a Comprehensive Evaluation Visit from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) on September 28–29, 2026.

HLC is an institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education that evaluates colleges and universities to ensure they meet established standards of academic quality and institutional integrity.

Accreditation ensures that students can access federal financial aid and that credits and degrees are widely recognized by other institutions and employers, while affirming that MSU Denver meets established standards for academic quality, student success, ethical operations, and long-term planning.

What Accreditation Means

HLC evaluates institutions using four broad areas, called the Criteria for Accreditation:

• Mission – The University’s purpose and public commitments
• Integrity – Ethical, lawful, and transparent operations
• Teaching and Learning for Student Success – Academic quality and student support
• Sustainability and Planning – Responsible resource management and long-term effectiveness

The evaluation is conducted by a team of peer reviewers from other accredited colleges and universities. They examine evidence related to MSU Denver’s mission, faculty qualifications, student learning and assessment practices, and the alignment of institutional planning and budgeting with academic priorities.

Community Review and Feedback

As part of the accreditation process, MSU Denver prepares a comprehensive report demonstrating how the University meets HLC’s standards. A draft of this report will be shared with the campus community in March 2026 to invite feedback.

Faculty and staff will have the opportunity to provide input through a structured survey. Feedback will be reviewed and incorporated, as appropriate, before the final report is submitted to HLC.

Our Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Accreditation is not a one-time event — it is an ongoing commitment to maintaining strong academic programs, supporting student achievement, and continuously improving institutional practices.

We look forward to welcoming the HLC peer review team and to demonstrating MSU Denver’s commitment to academic quality and institutional effectiveness.

The Criteria for Accreditation are the standards of quality by which the Higher Learning Commission determines whether an institution merits accreditation or reaffirmation of accreditation. Below is a summary of the criteria.

The Higher Learning Commission has four criteria for accreditation. They are:

1. Criterion 1: Mission
2. Criterion 2: Integrity
3. Criterion 3: Teaching and Learning for Student Success
4. Criterion 4: Sustainability and Planning

The Higher Learning Commission’s criteria for accreditation reflect a set of guiding values and assumed practices.

MSU Denver is currently participating in the Standard Pathway reaffirmation of accreditation. The Standard Pathway requires completion of a comprehensive evaluation in year four and year 10 of the accreditation cycle. This process provides the opportunity for institutions to demonstrate to all constituents that the Five Criteria for Accreditation and Federal Compliance Requirements have been met and that continuous improvement efforts are in place.

September 28–29, 2026

Metropolitan State University of Denver will host a Comprehensive Evaluation Visit from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) on September 28–29, 2026. This visit is part of the University’s regular accreditation cycle and provides an opportunity to demonstrate how MSU Denver meets HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation.

Assurance Argument and Community Feedback

As part of the evaluation process, the University prepares an Assurance Argument, a comprehensive report demonstrating how MSU Denver meets each of HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation, which include:

Criterion 1. Mission

Criterion 2. Integrity

Criterion 3. Teaching and Learning for Student Success

Criterion 4. Sustainability and Planning 

On March 18, 2026, the draft Assurance Argument will be made available to the MSU Denver community via secure SharePoint. Faculty, staff and student government members will be invited to provide feedback through a structured Qualtrics survey organized by Criterion. Feedback will be reviewed and incorporated, as appropriate, into the final version submitted to HLC.

An HLC Town Hall will also be held on March 18 to provide an overview of the accreditation process and the draft Assurance Argument. Members of the campus community will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the University’s preparation for the evaluation visit.

Accreditation Committee

The accreditation process is guided by a cross-functional committee representing Academic Affairs and institutional leadership. A current roster of committee members is available here.

Ongoing Communications

Information about the accreditation process, key milestones, and opportunities for engagement will be shared regularly through:

• Communications from the Provost’s Office
• Early Bird announcements
• Updates to this accreditation webpage

These communications will provide updates as additional details become available throughout the spring and summer.

September Preparation Workshops

To support campus readiness, the University will host three staff and faculty workshops in early September 2026 in advance of the visit. These sessions will:

• Provide an overview of the evaluation process
• Review the HLC Criteria for Accreditation
• Offer guidance on how faculty and staff may be asked to engage with peer reviewers

Additional details, including dates and locations, will be shared in early fall.

Staying Engaged

Accreditation is a shared institutional responsibility. We appreciate the continued engagement of faculty, staff, and students as MSU Denver prepares to welcome the HLC peer review team.

On April 26th and 27th, 2021, MSU Denver hosted a Higher Learning Commission Peer Review Team at our campus. The purpose of the visit was to complete the first of two required comprehensive evaluations which take place in our 10-year accreditation cycle.

Accreditation Committee Roster

Preparation for the comprehensive evaluation involved the completion and submission of an Assurance Argument to demonstrate compliance with HLC’s Five Criteria for Accreditation. Angelica Moreno, Manager of Student Affairs Assessment and Evaluation and S. Leone Dick, Chief of Staff to the Vice President for Administration and Paul Hitchcock in Curriculum, Academic Effectiveness and Policy Development in Academic Affairs served and continue to serve as point-of-contact for their branches of campus. Information was collected from faculty and staff throughout the Fall 2020 semester.

In January 2021, MSU Denver’s accreditation liaison officer and president were contacted by the Chair of the Peer Review team. At that time, a schedule was developed, travel arrangements made, and additional information exchanged between the accreditation liaison officer and the Chair of the Peer Review Team.

Details about the Peer Review teams visit were provided in the Early Bird and here, on the MSU Denver Accreditation website.

The Peer Review team conducted their on-site visit on April 26th and 27. They then began the process of writing their final report, which was then submitted to HLC for review and approval.

The final report stated that MSU Denver met all of the criteria for accreditation under the standard pathway. One area was “met with concerns” and the Peer Reviewers recommended a course of action for MSU Denver, to respond to those concerns. Shaun Schafer worked with the appropriate office(s) to address the Peer Reviewers comments and implement processes to ensure that, moving forward, that criteria area was brought in line with HLC expectations.

In order to set MSU Denver up for continued success in accreditation, Shaun Schafer has created a University Accreditation Committee that meets regularly to aid in accreditation efforts and tracking. In addition to this committee, the Office of Curriculum, Academic Effectiveness and Policy Development has onboarded the Weave accreditation platform to aid in tracking and documenting accreditation data and in developing the 2026-2027 Assurance Argument for the re-affirmation evaluation of accreditation.