Ftr Classroom 2

Accreditation

Oklahoma Panhandle State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The last comprehensive evaluation for accreditation occurred in 2020.

The Higher Learning Commission

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent corporation that was founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. HLC accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region.

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Open Pathway

As part of its reaccreditation the university is on what the commission calls the Open Pathway. The Open Pathway program is one of three options that an institution has for maintaining its accreditation with HLC. The Open Pathway’s 10-year cycle is focused on quality assurance and institutional improvement appropriate to the University Mission. In the final year of the cycle, the institution undergoes a comprehensive evaluation to ensure that it is meeting the Criteria for Accreditation, pursuing institutional improvement and complying with certain requirements set by the U.S. Department of Education. Rooted in “Progress through Knowledge,” OPSU is committed to promoting excellence in the preparation of students for success in a global community.

Quality Initiative

OPSU officially launched its Quality Initiative project in the fall of 2015 focusing on improving student retention and graduation. This initiative focused on building our institutional capacity to evaluate and analyze student data to improve the complement of student support programs and interventions for student success. This initiative helped the university make student success central to the Strategic Plan and Scorecard. The project also resulted in major gains in graduation rates, with total annual graduates up 51% since the start of the initiative. Another major area for growth in the initiative came through improved course pass rates in developmental education by 17% for English and 10% for Math.

Site Visit

OPSU underwent a comprehensive evaluation in the fall of 2020, with peer reviewers coming to campus on October 19, 2020 to confirm that the university is continuing to meet the Criteria for Accreditation, is pursuing institutional improvement, and complies with requirements set by the U.S. Department of Education. In 2021, the Higher Learning Commission staff will review reports from the 2020 Assurance Review, Quality Initiative project, and Comprehensive Evaluation. The overall assessment will be forwarded to the Commission’s Institutional Actions Council (IAC) of the Higher Learning Commission. The decision process included Commission action regarding reaffirmation of accreditation and determined the University’s future Pathway eligibility.

Steering Committee

The primary role of a steering committee member is to help guide the self-study process and oversee the development of the self-study itself. The self-study is a narrative document that links to supporting evidence to demonstrate Oklahoma Panhandle State University meets HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation a current copy of which is available on the HLC website.

The HLC Steering Committee for OPSU includes the President, Provost, Associate Vice President of Fiscal Affairs, Vice President of Operations, Assessment Coordinator, and the five criterion subcommittee co-chairs. These committee members are tasked with serving as an unbiased representative of the university and those the university serves.

Timeline for Reaffirmation of Accreditation

October 12, 2017 – November 17, 2017

Strategic Planning Council redesign and articulate OPSU’s Mission, Vision, and Values

March 9, 2018

Strategic Planning Council worked with budget heads and directors to specify goals in support of the mission, vision, and values. Additional work completed electronically over the Spring and Summer of 2018.

August 8, 2018

Strategic Plan Mission, Vision, Values, and Goals reviewed for comment and approved by the university.

Fall 2018

Scorecard developed and baselines generated. Steering committee nominations made.

Spring 2019

Official Countdown to 2020 Kickoff January 4, 2019 Steering Committee develops arguments and evidence for their respective criterion.

Ends Spring 2020

Persistence and Completion Committee final year and Quality Initiative work.

September 21, 2020

Assurance Argument Lock Date

October 19-20, 2020

HLC Site Visit

Program Accreditation

3Col CAEP

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

(202) 223-0077

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3Col ACEN

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

(404) 975-5000

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3Col OEQA

Office of Educational Quality & Accountability

(405) 522-5399

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Additional Resources

For additional information regarding accreditation, contact the Office of the President in Sewell Loofbourrow Hall, Room 142.

HLC Accreditation & Self-Studies