Accreditation

Columbus State Community College has been proudly accredited since 1973 by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). This accreditation affirms our dedication to providing high-quality education and continuous institutional improvement.

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604
hlcommission.org
(800) 621-7440

Columbus State is accredited to award more than 150 degrees and certificates in areas that include, but aren't limited to, information technology, health care, health/public services and engineering technologies. In 2020, after its most recent reaffirmation of accreditation (Accreditation Status), the College entered the "Open" pathway to accreditation. The open pathway to accreditation follows a 10-year cycle with the next reaffirmation of accreditation scheduled for 2029-2030.

News

Please go to https://www.cscc.edu/about/accreditation/accreditation-process.shtml for more information.

Accreditation Corner

Higher Learning Commission announces changes/revisions for 2025/2026

During the past year, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has been working on simplifying it’s framework. The changes took effect on September 2, 2025. They include:

The two teaching and learning criteria have been consolidated into one: Criteria 3--Teaching and Learning for Student Success. The criteria includes components of rigor and quality, learning support, assessment, program review, and newly added student success outcomes.
A revised institutional planning and fiscal responsibility criteria that is focused on sustainability and covers institutional effectiveness, resources, and planning.

Additionally, HLC has modified some requirements for completion of substantive change requests. These include:

Questions regarding consortia arrangements have been added to multiple HLC screening forms. Please note: A consortia arrangement is when “part of a program is delivered with another institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education–recognized accreditor.”

As a reminder, in addition to consortia arrangements, substantive change requests MUST be completed and accepted or approved by HLC prior to marketing or enrolling students for any of the following, so please allow time for this process in your planning.

Contractual arrangement -- Outsourcing a portion of an academic program to another entity.
Additional location – Opening or closing a geographically separate site, including College Credit Plus, where a student can complete ≥50% of a program (degree or certificate).
Academic program notifications -- New, ending or changing (e.g., 25%+ change in hours/content, method of delivery, customized/abbreviated pathways) degree or certificate programs.

Federal requirements—what shifted in the past year

Distance Education & R2T4 (Return of Title IV funds) final rules. ED issued final rules in January 2025; some provisions may be implemented early, with the remainder effective July 1, 2026. Institutions should review distance-ed definitions, regular/substantive interaction, and R2T4 calculation changes to ensure alignment. (Federal Register)

For more information
Questions or need help applying this to your program or site? Contact The Office of Accreditation at tlewisho@cscc.edu or dvanhorn@cscc.edu

"Your Role in Accreditation"

Accreditation is a team effort. See below for our monthly tips that highlight one simple action you can take to strengthen our commitment to quality service and continuous improvement.

ACCREDITATION TIPS

3. UNDERSTAND YOUR COLLEGE'S GOALS

See all tips

What is HLC Accreditation?

Our Accreditation Status

Current Accreditation Status: Accredited
Last Reaffirmation Date: January 27, 2020
Next Scheduled Review: 2029-2030

The accreditation process involves regular self-evaluation and external peer review to ensure our institution aligns with HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation, including:

1. Mission

2. Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct

3. Teaching and Learning for Student Success

4. Sustainability: Institutional Effectiveness, Resources and Planning

Federal Compliance

As part of the accreditation reaffirmation process, the HLC will evaluate the institution’s compliance with federal requirements, focusing specifically on the below requirements:

Assignment of Credits, Program Length and Tuition
Institutional Mechanisms for Handling Student Complaints
Publication of Transfer Policies
Practices for Verification of Student Identity
Protection of Student Privacy
Publication of Student Outcome Data
Standing With State and Other Accreditors
Recruiting, Admissions and Related Enrollment Practices

The Federal Compliance Reviewer will assess how effectively Columbus State adheres to applicable federal requirements. Additional details can be found at this link.

Why Accreditation Matters to You

As a student at Columbus State Community College, HLC accreditation provides:

Confidence in Quality: Assurance that your education meets recognized standards.
Federal Financial Aid Access: Eligibility for federal student aid programs.
Credit Transferability: Ease of transferring credits to other accredited institutions.
Credential Recognition: Degrees and certificates that are respected by employers and other institutions.

Contact Us for Accreditation Questions

For more information about Columbus State Community College’s accreditation status or to access resources, please contact:

College Accreditation Office
Teddi Lewis-Hotopp, Director
Accreditation Liaison
tlewisho@cscc.edu
614-287-2866

Darla Van Horn, Program Manager
dvanhorn@cscc.edu
614-287-2856

Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois 60604-1411
800-621-7440
312-263-0456

Other Accreditation and Memberships

Many of the degree programs at the College are accredited by professional associations and agencies. They are listed below.

Professional Licensure

Federal Regulation 34 CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v) requires colleges to make readily available to prospective and enrolled students’ information about whether their programs leading to professional licensure or certification meet educational requirements in their state. With the new federal regulations, institutions may only enroll students in programs that do not meet state licensure requirements in rare circumstances — and only when the institution obtains written acknowledgment from the student confirming they understand the program does not meet licensure requirements in their home state or territory.

Columbus State Community College has programs that can lead to required state or federal professional licensure, and we maintain a Program and Interstate Licensure List (.CSV). Each program is marked as either “MEETS” or does not meet “DNM” for each state and territory. We encourage out-of-state students, who are not intending to reside in Ohio at the completion of their program, to first contact their home state licensing agency before beginning one of these programs as Ohio license requirements may not apply in those states.

At Columbus State, students who are enrolled in a program leading to professional licensure in Ohio, but whose permanent address is outside the state, must complete this form before they can register for courses:

Professional Licensure Student Acknowledgment and Update Form

Columbus State Community College is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), which permits the College to enroll out-of-state students in online educational programs. NC-SARA, regulates interstate online education, but does not cover license programs.

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