Higher Learning Commission Accreditation

Rockhurst University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), 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 which includes 19 states.

Rockhurst was first accredited by HLC in 1934, and its most recent re-affirmation of our Accreditation was in 2012. After re-affirmation in 2012, Rockhurst was placed in HLC’s Standard Pathway for Accreditation, which includes a 10-year accreditation cycle with two reviews – one at year four and one at year ten.

Rockhurst hosted the Higher Learning Commission's visiting team on campus November 14-15, 2016 for its Year-Four Assurance Review and Comprehensive Evaluation. Faculty, students and staff were invited to attend several open forums during the visit.

Rockhurst’s Year-Ten Assurance Review, Comprehensive Evaluation (with visit), and Reaffirmation of Accreditation will take place during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Accreditation is important because it allows students to be eligible for federal and state financial aid, gives assurance that a Rockhurst degree is valid, assures donors and potential students that an RU education is valuable and provides flexibility for transfer of credit to or from other institutions.

If you have questions contact Paula Shorter, Ph.D.,  Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs - Planning, at 816-501-4115 or paula.shorter@rockhurst.edu. 

Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604
800.621.7440
www.hlcommission.org