Accreditation
Accreditation is voluntarily sought by institutions and is conferred by non-governmental bodies. An institutional accrediting agency evaluates an entire institution in terms of its mission and the agency’s standards or criteria. It accredits the institution as a whole. It assesses the formal educational activities of the institution and also evaluates governance and administration, financial stability, admissions and student personnel services, institutional resources, student academic achievement, institutional effectiveness, and relationships with constituencies inside and outside the institution. Accreditation is important to Black Hawk College to remain competitive with other learning institutions, as it provides assurance to the public, in particular to prospective students, that an institution has been found to meet the agency’s clearly stated requirements and criteria and that there are reasonable grounds for believing that it will continue to meet them.
Accrediting Organizations
Higher Learning Commission
230 North LaSalle Street.
Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604.
inquiry@hlcommission.org;
800-621-7440
Black Hawk College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and participates in the Open Pathway, one of two pathways leading to reaffirmation of accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission.
- 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.
View Black Hawk College’s Accreditation Standing with State and Other Accrediting Agencies (PDF)
Illinois Community College Board (ICCB)
Black Hawk College is recognized and certified by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB). The ICCB is the state coordinating board for the Illinois community colleges and administers the Public Community College Act. Certification status affirms the district’s eligibility to receive state grants appropriated to the ICCB.
Some of the organizations BHC is a member of:
- American Association of Community Colleges
- American Council on International Intercultural Education
- American Society for Quality
- American Society for Training & Development
- Association of Community College Trustees
- Council for Advancement and Support of Education
- Council for Resource Development
- Council of North Central Two Year Colleges
- Geneseo, Kewanee, and Illinois Quad City Chambers of Commerce
- Illinois Community College Board
- Illinois Community College Presidents Council
- Illinois Community College Trustees Association
- Illinois Council on Community Services & Continuing Education
- Illinois Council on Continuing Higher Education
- Iowa/Illinois International Trade Association
- LERN
- National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators
- National Council for Continuing Education & Training
- National Council for Marketing and Public Relations
- National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development
- Quad City Area Labor Management
- Quad City Development Group
- Workforce Investment Board