About Accreditation at NMSU
What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a process that evaluates the quality of an institution's academic programs, operations, and support services, and provides a roadmap for improvement. At NMSU, many units, including colleges and programs, are accredited by specialized accreditation agencies. NMSU has been institutionally accredited since 1926, with uninterrupted accreditation as a doctoral degree-granting institution since 1963 with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
As a whole, NMSU is accredited by the HLC. For more information about the HLC, please visit the HLC website at https://hlcommission.org or call 800-621-7440.
In the United States, the accreditation process is organized through regional accrediting commissions and member institutions. Accreditation is critical not only to the institution but also to our students. Information about accreditation in the United States and other avenues for institutions to receive Title IV funding can be found on the following websites:
HLC Accreditation
NMSU's relationship with the HLC dates back to 1963. The HLC is a regional accreditation agency that accredits degree-granting colleges and universities that are based in a 19-state region of the United States. NMSU is on the Open Pathway for reaffirmation of accreditation. Open Pathways has many benefits, including the independence to engage in a project geared toward campus needs and aspirations, referred to as the Quality Initiative. Learn more about our current Quality Initiative, "Aggie Insights: Enhancing Student Success Through Data".
The first NMSU Quality Initiative focused on student writing, which increased efforts and placed a greater focus on existing resources that had a positive impact on student writing success.
Next: 2027-2028 Comprehensive Evaluation
NMSU's next comprehensive evaluation is scheduled to occur during the 2027-2028 academic year. In preparation, NMSU has developed Criterion Writing Teams, comprised of experienced, knowledgeable, and committed members of the campus community, to specifically address the four criteria and a branch campus report for the Grants Campus, which is accredited alongside the Las Cruces campus. The HLC identifies 4 Criteria for Accreditation in addition to adherence to assumed practices and federal compliance, that the institution must address in the form of an Assurance Argument to retain its accreditation status. The Assurance Argument (self-study) will be completed in February of 2028, and a site visit will be planned for March 2028.
Completed: 2021-2022 Assurance Review
NMSU completed its four-year interim Assurance Review to the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) during the 2021-2022 academic year. HLC reaffirmed accreditation for New Mexico State University, including the Grants campus, after meeting all criteria with no concerns in 2018, following the Comprehensive Evaluation. Official notification of continued accreditation was received on February 20, 2018.
HLC Criteria for Accreditation
The revised Criteria for Accreditation were adopted by the HLC Board of Trustees in June 2024 and are effective September 1, 2025.
Criterion 1. Mission
The institution's mission is clear and articulated publicly; it guides the institution's operations.
Criterion 2. Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct
In fulfilling its mission, the institution acts with integrity; its conduct is ethical and responsible.
Criterion 3. Teaching and Learning for Student Success
The institution demonstrates responsibility for the quality of its educational programs, learning environments and support services, and it evaluates their effectiveness in fulfilling its mission. The rigor and quality of each educational program is consistent regardless of modality, location, or other differentiating factors.
Criterion 4. Sustainability: Institutional Effectiveness, Resources and Planning
The institution's resources, structures, policies, procedures and planning enable it to fulfill its mission, improve the quality of its educational programs, and respond to future challenges and opportunities.
Accreditation Liaisons
The NMSU Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness is responsible for oversight of all NMSU-System accreditations, including each campus' regional accreditation by the HLC and all specialized professional accreditations. The Associate Provost monitors and maintains updated information on all of NMSU's accreditations, and provides guidance and support as needed to those who are directly engaged in maintaining accreditations for their college and/or program(s).
All Accreditation Liaisons (ALOs and PLOs) are responsible for maintaining ongoing and open communication with the Associate Provost of Institutional Effectiveness and their respective Dean or campus leadership, regarding all accreditation matters.
HLC Contact Information
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois 60604-1411
Phone: 800-621-7440 / 312-263-0456
Fax: 312-263-7492
Email: info@hlcomission.org
Website: https://hlcommission.org