Finlandia receives continuing accreditation by Higher Learning Commission

Finlandia University recently received notice from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association for Colleges and Schools (NCA-HLC) of its continuing accredited status. This action follows a March 2015 comprehensive site visit for reaffirmation of accreditation by a commission-approved site team. Finlandia’s last comprehensive site visit occurred in 2007. Finlandia has been continuously accredited since 1969.

“Institutional accreditation is an essential stamp of approval for almost all higher education institutions in the country,” President Philip Johnson said. “It signifies that our learning community continues to meet the rigorous standards set by our accrediting agency. Combined with our continuing gold-standard program-level accreditations in our health science programs, we move forward with confidence and a commitment to continuous improvement.”

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent corporation that was founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. HLC accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region, which includes 19 states.

“We are very happy with the news of receiving continued accreditation with the HLC,” VP for Academic and Student Affairs Fredi de Yampert said. “Everyone at the university worked very hard on our self-study and preparing for the site visit. I especially want to thank the team of faculty and staff who helped gather our data and write the self-study.”

Throughout the process, de Yampert was the university’s main contact with the Higher Learning Commission, including co-authoring the 196-page self-study. Continuing accreditation allows Finlandia to continue moving forward on its seven-year strategic plan, Plan 2021.

“We are looking forward to continuing the work we initiated during this process and advancing the goals and commitments in Finlandia’s visioning document, Plan 2021,” de Yampert said. “Our good work continues, and there are exciting times ahead.”

Learn more about the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association for Colleges and Schools by visiting ncahlc.org. Information on Finlandia’s accredited status can always be found at finlandia.edu/accreditation.