{"id":87,"date":"2018-07-14T12:35:39","date_gmt":"2018-07-14T19:35:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vendor.hub.wp.nau.edu\/accreditation\/open-pathways-process\/"},"modified":"2023-06-12T10:44:32","modified_gmt":"2023-06-12T17:44:32","slug":"open-pathways-process","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/accreditation\/open-pathways-process\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Pathways"},"content":{"rendered":"

Open Pathways<\/h2>\n

Northern Arizona University participates in the Higher Learning Commission\u00a0Open Pathway. The 10-year cycle\u00a0includes two processes:\u00a0Quality Assurance<\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0Quality Initiative<\/b>. View\u00a0NAU\u2019s timeline<\/a>.\u00a0The Open Pathway is unique in that its improvement component, the Quality Initiative, affords institutions the opportunity to pursue improvement projects that meet their current needs and aspirations.<\/p>\n

Quality Assurance<\/h3>\n

Central to the Quality Assurance process for accreditation process is the\u00a0Criteria for Accreditation<\/a>,\u00a0Assumed Practices<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Obligation of Affiliation<\/a>. To reaffirm our accreditation, Northern Arizona University must provide evidence that demonstrates that we meet the five criteria and offer an Assurance Argument organized by the criteria and their core components. This process occurs in Year 4 and Year 10.<\/p>\n

Year 4 Assurance Review<\/h3>\n

As a part of the Open Pathway accreditation process, in AY 21-22, Northern Arizona University submitted an Assurance Review with evidence documenting how we continue to meet HLC\u2019s Criteria for Accreditation.<\/p>\n

Based on the HLC Peer Review team\u2019s recommendations following a thorough review, HLC determined that NAU has successfully completed its Year 4 Assurance Review with no recommended monitoring.<\/p>\n

Year 10 Comprehensive Evaluation<\/h3>\n

In AY 27-28, Northern Arizona University will\u00a0undergo a\u00a0comprehensive evaluation<\/a>\u00a0to ensure we are meeting the Criteria for Accreditation, pursuing institutional improvement and complying with certain\u00a0requirements<\/a>\u00a0set by the U.S. Department of Education. This review leads to an action regarding the reaffirmation of the institution\u2019s accreditation.<\/b><\/p>\n

Quality Initiative<\/h3>\n

Complementing the Quality Assurance process, the Quality Initiative, an institutionally\u00a0determined improvement effort, takes place between Years 5 and 9 of the 10-year Open Pathway Cycle.<\/p>\n

In AY22-23,\u00a0NAU identified\u00a0a meaningful project and\u00a0submitted\u00a0a Quality Initiative proposal to the HLC. HLC peer reviewers\u00a0approved the\u00a0proposal,\u00a0based on sufficiency of scope and significance, clarity of purpose, evidence of commitment and capacity, and appropriateness of timeline. Following completion of the project, NAU will submit a report for review by HLC peer reviewers.<\/p>\n\n

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Accreditation Reports<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n
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