Accreditation Process

Every institution of higher learning in the United States undergoes periodic reviews to maintain accreditation and to ensure the quality of the institution. The accrediting body for Illinois Wesleyan University is the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

IWU’s next comprehensive review is due in the 2026-2027 academic year. In preparation for that review, IWU’s Accreditation Leadership Team will prepare a report which addresses the five criteria for maintaining accreditation using data gathered from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and trustees, as well as the community at large.  The University will continue to follow the processes outlined in the HLC’s Standard Pathway model. Instead of a focused process at the end of a ten-year accreditation cycle, the Standard Pathway seeks to reduce the reporting burden on institutions by using existing information and data and collecting them in electronic form as they naturally occur and conducts comprehensive evaluations twice in a ten-year cycle.  To view a chart of IWU’s accreditation cycle, please click here.