HLC Pathways
The HLC has developed a model for continued accreditation through a program called Pathways. Xavier has selected the Open Pathway. The Open Pathway separates the continued accreditation process into two components: the Assurance Review and the Quality Initiative.
- Two Assurance Reviews take place in the ten-year cycle: one in Year 4 and one in Year 10. The Year 4 review occurs asynchronously via the Commission's online Assurance System and without a visit. The Year 10 review also is conducted with the Assurance System but includes a visit to the campus, as noted below. No change requests may be combined with the Year 4 review; all change requests at Year 4 are evaluated separately through the Commission's change process.
- Between Years 5 and 9 of the ten-year cycle, the institution proposes and completes a Quality Initiative. The Assurance Reviews free the Quality Initiative to focus on institutional innovation and improvement. The institution undertakes a Quality Initiative as something it elects to suit its own purposes. Its timeframe is flexible to accommodate the amount of time necessary to complete or make substantial progress toward completion.
- For the Quality Initiative, Xavier has chosen to join the HLC's Assessment Academy and the project of piloting the assessment of immersive learning. Xavier is completing its Quality Initiative in 2019-2020. See here for a brief description of the project.
- In Year 10, the institution undergoes a comprehensive evaluation.
- Xavier is scheduled for a 2020-2021 comprehensive evaluation.