Background
In 2023, the North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation prohibiting UNC constituent institutions and North Carolina community colleges from receiving accreditation by an accrediting agency for consecutive accreditation cycles. Under this new law, colleges and universities must pursue a change in accreditors as their current accreditation cycles come to an end in the coming years.
A university that pursues accreditation with a different accrediting agency in accordance with this section shall pursue accreditation with a regional accrediting agency:
- Higher Learning Commission
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- New England Commission on Higher Education
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
If the university is not granted candidacy status by any regional accrediting agency different from its current accrediting agency at least three years before the expiration of its current accreditation, the university may remain with its current accrediting agency for an additional accreditation cycle.
Resources
- Session Law 2023-132
- Request for Information
- UNC Accreditation Memo (03/28/24)
- ED letter to accreditors regarding voluntary requirements
- ED letter (GEN-22-10) Guidance for Institutions Seeking to Change or Add Accrediting Agencies
- ED letter (GEN-22-11) Procedures for Institutions Seeking Approval of a Request to Change or Add Accrediting Agencies (Updated Sept. 26, 2022)
Request for Information Responses
Responses:
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
tIMELINE
| Date | Accreditation Action |
|---|---|
| October 2023 | North Carolina Session Law 2023-132 went into effect, prohibiting UNC institutions and NC community colleges from receiving accreditation by an accrediting agency for consecutive accreditation cycles |
| December 2023 | UNC and NC Community Colleges system offices issued joint Request for Information (RFI) seeking accrediting agencies’ interest in adding NC’s institutions to their portfolios. |
| January 2024 | System offices met with the U.S. Department of Education (USED) staff to discuss timelines and processes. |
| February 2024 | Two accreditors responded to the RFI: · Higher Learning Commission (HLC) · Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) |
Anticipated Schedule
Accreditation Expiring in 2026:
- University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Accreditation Expiring in 2027:
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Western Carolina University
Accreditation Expiring in 2029:
- North Carolina Central University
Accreditation Expiring in 2031:
- Elizabeth City State University
- North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
- University of North Carolina at Pembroke
- Winston-Salem State University
Accreditation Expiring in 2032:
- Fayetteville State University
Accreditation Expiring in 2033:
- East Carolina University
- University of North Carolina Asheville
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- University of North Carolina Wilmington
Accreditation Expiring in 2034:
- Appalachian State University
- NC State University
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro