Accreditation Process and Timeline

2024 HLC Reaffirmation of Accreditation Visit

DACC hosted a team of HLC Peer Reviewers on March 25 & 26, 2024 for a comprehensive evaluation for reaffirmation of accreditation. DACC’s accreditation was reaffirmed at the July 15, 2024 meeting of the HLC Institutional Actions Council. Prior to the visit, DACC submitted an Assurance Argument explaining how we fulfill the Criteria for Accreditation.   

What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is a process that evaluates the quality of an institution’s academic programs, operations, and support services and provides a road map for continuous improvement. At DACC many programs are accredited by specialized accreditation agencies. DACC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). More information about the HLC is available at https://www.hlcommission.org or 800.621.7440.

HLC Accreditation - The Open Pathway

DACC has been independently accredited by HLC since 2008. Prior to 2008, DACC was accredited as a branch campus of NMSU. After the 2024 reaffirmation of accreditation, DACC is on the Open Pathway, a 10-year cycle that includes periodic reviews to ensure that we meet the Criteria for Accreditation and a Quality Initiative to focus institutional improvements.

2025 Criteria for Accreditation

Open Pathway 10-year Cycle

DACC’s current 10-year cycle began in 2024 and will culminate with a Comprehensive Evaluation for Reaffirmation site visit during the 2033-2034 academic year.

Accreditation Steering Committee

The next Accreditation Steering Committee will be convened during the 2025-2026 academic year to write the Assurance Argument and Evidence File due 9/1/2027. If you are interested in being a part of the next Accreditation Steering Committee, or would like to learn more about the accreditation process, please contact Dr. Jennifer Hodges, Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness, at jhodges@dacc.nmsu.edu or 575-527-7734.