The University of Nebraska is a member of the Higher Learning Commission, which accredits degree-granting post-secondary education institutions in the North Central region.
In June 2026, the U.S. Department of Education and HLC formally recognized joining the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the University of Nebraska Medical Center under a single accreditation for the first time since their accreditations separated in 1968.
Unifying accreditation allows the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nebraska Medical Center to maintain their distinct missions and identities while providing opportunities for enhanced research, academic integration, and an expanded commitment to the University of Nebraska’s land-grant mission.
Sept. 7: The university submitted its assurance argument that documents how the institution meets the HLC criteria for accreditation.
Oct. 5-7: The HLC Peer Review Team will conduct an onsite visit. The campus community is encouraged to take part in open sessions on Oct. 5 at the East Campus Union.
- Mission and Governance | 11:10-11:50 a.m.
- Criterion 1: Mission
- Criterion 2: Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct
- Educational Programs | 3:15-4:00 p.m.
- Criterion 3: Teaching and Learning for Student Success
- Financial Resources and Planning | 4:05-4:50 p.m.
- Criterion 4: Sustainability: Institutional Effectiveness, Resources and Planning
What is accreditation?
Accreditation is a process of external quality review created and used by higher education to scrutinize colleges, universities, and education programs for quality assurance and quality improvement. During this process, institutional self-evaluation, peer review, institutional response, formal educational activities (as well as other activities essential to the effectiveness of an institution, such as governance and financial stability) are evaluated.
What is reaffirmation?
Reaffirmation of accreditation provides an opportunity for the university to document the strengths of its educational programs, continue its commitment to educational improvement, and enhance its understanding of institutional effectiveness.
Why are these important?
Accreditation provides assurances that the institution meets nationally endorsed standards, that it is engaged in continuous improvement, and that it is accountable for achieving its role and mission. Reaffirmation is important because it:
- Affirms that the university is providing a quality education.
- Provides valuable feedback on how well the university is meeting its goals for student learning.
- Creates an opportunity to assess, evaluate, and improve programs and practices.
What is the reaffirmation process?
Quality Initiative
The HLC open pathway model requires an institution to designate one major improvement effort it has undertaken as a Quality Initiative for reaffirmation of accreditation. UNL’s Quality Initiative, Building a UNL Culture Where Every Person Matters, documents the impact of the Academic Navigator Team as well as other campus events and activities designed to improve undergraduate student retention, degree completion, and equity outcomes.
Assurance Argument
On Sept. 7, the university submitted its assurance argument. The Assurance Argument is a comprehensive self-evaluation inclusive of supporting evidence that documents how the institution meets the criteria for accreditation. The HLC criteria for accreditation convey the standards of quality by which an institution merits reaffirmation of accreditation.
- Criterion 1. Mission – The institution’s mission is clear and articulated publicly; it guides the institution’s operations.
- Criterion 2. Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct – In fulfilling its mission, the institution acts with integrity; its conduct is ethical and responsible.
- Criterion 3. Teaching and Learning for Student Success – The institution demonstrates responsibility for the quality of its educational programs, learning environments and support services, and it evaluates their effectiveness in fulfilling its mission. The rigor and quality of each educational program is consistent regardless of modality, location or other differentiating factors.
- Criterion 4. Sustainability: Institutional Effectiveness, Resources and Planning – The institution’s resources, structures, policies, procedures and planning enable it to fulfill its mission, improve the quality of its educational programs, and respond to future challenges and opportunities.
Peer Review
An HLC Peer Review Team will conduct an onsite visit Oct. 5-7. Prior to the visit, they will conduct a preliminary analysis of the university's Assurance Argument. They will review university-provided documentation in support of federal compliance requirements and the results of a student opinion survey, which was conducted in April 2026.
After the visit, the team prepares a draft report indicating the degree to which the institution meets HLC criteria for accreditation and federal compliance requirements. The draft report will be sent to the university for correction of error of fact. The team revises the report appropriately and submits its final version to HLC, which then sends the final version to the university. There is an opportunity to provide a response to the final report.