Florida colleges gain HLC accreditation

If I recall correctly, HEIs are no longer restricted to the regional accreditation agency covering their state. These FL schools may have obtained accelerated accreditation from HLC (well, that's the case for UCF).

https://www.hlcommission.org/for-students/accreditation-actions/november-2025-actions/

The College of the Florida Keys, Granted initial accreditation.

Florida SouthWestern State College, Granted initial accreditation.

University of Central Florida, Granted initial accreditation.

UCF Becomes First Florida University to Earn Accreditation by Higher Learning Commission

https://www.ucf.edu/news/ucf-becomes-first-florida-university-to-earn-accreditation-by-higher-learning-commission/

 

Does that mean they don't have to keep SACS?

 

Yes.

 

Back in the early days of nontraditional higher education, the HLC--known as the North Central Association--was noted for its willingness to consider nontraditional schools for RA. SACS and WASC were the worst.

Walden University, originated in Florida (SACS), opened a "learning center" in Minneapolis specifically to move under the HLC. Accreditation promptly followed. Other schools the HLC accredited were Western Governors and the UECU.

I wonder if the dissolution of the NCA and creation of the HLC anticipated this "borderless" approach to RA?

 

"The University of Central Florida is currently transitioning from accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Until the transition process is finalized with the U.S. Department of Education, UCF will maintain accreditation with both agencies, as stated below."

https://apq.ucf.edu/institutional-accreditation/

The College of the Florida Keys has both listed for now: https://www.cfk.edu/discover/statement-of-accreditation/

Florida SouthWestern State College only has SACSCOC listed.
https://www.fsw.edu/accreditation

 

How much money is going to be wasted on this exercise? I have to assume accreditors will want you to prepare different packages, slightly different sets of numbers, varying formulas, narratives, etc. Plus the cost of the site visits and anything else needed. Just to end up with equivalent accreditation.

 

If an established school is already accredited by someone at the RA vs NA level... (I can see a benefit in going from DEAC to HLC for example, though I know USDOE says the difference is supposed to be meaningless now)...

But what is the benefit from switching within acreditors in the same tier?

 

I didn't check if this bill became law, but here's an article:

Public colleges must change accreditors every 5 years, Florida bill proposes:

https://www.highereddive.com/news/public-colleges-must-change-accreditors-every-5-years-florida-bill-propose/618357/

That probably answers why they are doing it. Maybe the article provides a rationale for the bill, but in either case, I think it's BS

 

It's wasteful and inefficient, plus it has no real purpose.