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Standards Revision

Please see below for the third draft of the 2027 Standards and a Standards revision guide that outlines changes made and provides from 2020 to draft Standards. Information on Standards revision goals and timelines can also be found on this page.

2027 Standards Standards Revision GuideChange to NWCCU Evaluation Cycle

Standards and Evaluation Cycle Implementation Timeline

Action Dates
Standards approved by the Commission July 7–10, 2026
Institutional ballots sent to CEOs, ALOs By July 27, 2026
NWCCU to connect with institutions with possible Mid-Cycle or Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness changes for Spring 2027 By August 10, 2026
Institutional Standards Votes Due August 21, 2026
Updated visit schedules provided to all institutions By September 14, 2026
Commission ratification of Standards vote September 28–29, 2026
Updated report guidance materials and rubrics available By October 1, 2026
Updated Standards for all existing Recommendations provided to institutions By October 14, 2026
Trainings, Webinars, Town Halls September–November 2026
Peer evaluator training at NWCCU Annual Conference December 1, 2026
Standards updates at NWCCU Annual Conference December 2–3, 2026
Phased implementation of new Standards Spring to Fall 2027

Overview

NWCCU is continuing the process of reviewing NWCCU Standards for Accreditation and Eligibility Requirements. This process, which occurs at least every eight years per NWCCU policy, seeks to ensure that NWCCU member institutions are provided clear Standards that meet federal requirements and support student success.

On this webpage, you will find goals for the revision process, timelines, updates, and materials. We encourage all interested parties to engage in this process to ensure NWCCU Standards and Eligibility Requirement establish a model for excellence in higher education.

Goals

Review and revise NWCCU Standards and Eligibility Requirements to:

    1. Provide improved clarity for NWCCU member and candidate institutions
    2. Promote continuous improvement at NWCCU institutions that uses data-informed approaches to student learning and improvement

Guiding Principles

  1. NWCCU Standards and Eligibility Requirements are non-prescriptive and written at a high level in order to provide institutional flexibility to demonstrate compliance and improvement within their own institutional missions and context.
  2. NWCCU will identify meaningful Standards and Eligibility Requirements for use in a peer evaluation process through multiple opportunities for feedback from constituents and the public.
  3. NWCCU anticipates minimal procedural or reporting impact through these revisions; the revisions made should ensure alignment with federal regulations, improve clarity for institutions, and focus on institutional outcomes for students.

Opportunities for Input

  1. Public comment can be submitted here at any time.
  2. Surveys will be sent to institutions and peer evaluators in May 2025.
  3. Following a review of initial feedback from surveys and public input, town halls and listening sessions will be held to engage in discussion about results and planned changes.

Register for Listening Sessions 

We invite you to share feedback on the newest draft Standards. Sessions are organized by institution type and size to ensure discussions reflect shared contexts and challenges.

Please register for the listening session(s) that are most relevant to your institution:

Solicitation of Public Feedback 

NWCCU seeks feedback from a variety of stakeholders and constituents throughout the Standards review and revision process. Feedback will be taken at any time and incorporated into the review process by staff and Commissioners. Those wishing to provide feedback outside of surveys and established meetings for specific stakeholders may do so here.

Timeline

Timeframe Activity Purpose
2024
Fall Identify timeline and activities with the Bylaws, Standards, and Policies (BSP) Committee of the
Commission		 Prepare for a comprehensive, transparent, and meaningful process for gathering feedback and improving
NWCCU Standards and Eligibility Requirements.
Fall Identify Standards and ERs in need of greatest attention Institutions and individuals providing feedback will already know areas with likely revisions.
2025
February ALO Town Hall Share with institutional accreditation liaison officers (ALOs) the purpose and general timeline for the
Standards review and revision process.
May Launch initial survey to institutions Provide early opportunity for feedback on overall effectiveness of standards and ERs, specific standards
and ERs in need of revisions, and any missing areas of emphasis from an institutional perspective.
May Launch initial survey to NWCCU peer evaluators Provide early opportunity for feedback on overall effectiveness of standards and ERs, specific standards
and ERs in need of revisions, and any missing areas of emphasis from an institutional perspective.
May Open public comment link on NWCCU Standards Review webpage Provide an ongoing opportunity for feedback from individuals and members of the public for input.
June – July Review survey data with BSP Determine if process needs to be adjusted for different opportunities for feedback (e.g., Townhalls,
Zoom meetings, etc.)
July Commission Meeting Present early findings and provide regular update to Commission
August – September Draft first revisions to Standards and ERs based on survey feedback Consolidate feedback into working draft.
October – November Review draft Standards and ERs with BSP Review and make revisions prior to Annual Conference and next communication to institutions.
December Annual Conference Update member institutions on progress and gather feedback
2026
January Commission meeting Update Commission on progress and gather Commissioner feedback
February 6 Standards Update Webinar Update member institutions and partners on proposed changes
February 6 Post first draft First draft of standards and ERs publicly posted for review
February – April Surveys, Webinars, Townhalls, and other Convenings, as needed Final input and sharing prior to final draft
February – April Continue development Incorporate feedback for draft. Consider pilot testing or focus groups with small number of institutions
to gather feedback.
April – May Gather feedback on current draft Gather feedback through a survey on the current draft
May Finalize draft Standards, ERs, and Implementation Process with BSP Prepare near-final draft for recommendation to Board of Commissioners
July Final Recommendation to the Board of Commissioners Discussion and action
July – August Call for Comment from member institutions and other relevant and interested parties, including sister
accreditors and think tanks, on near final draft of revised Standards and ERs		 Informs final revisions and catches major omissions
August – September Vote of the Membership to Adopt Revised Standards Called for by NWCCU Policy
September – November Provide resources, training, and workshops Support institutions preparing for reports and visits
December Annual Meeting Communicate directly with member institutions
2027
January Commission meeting Ratify membership vote; Implement Standards and ERs and Process for 2027 Implementation
February – April Develop Publications Update website, publications, relevant sections in Handbook, Substantive Change Manual, etc.
February – April Workshops and webinars Inform ALOs and institutions about new Standards and timeline for implementation
April – October Implementation Phased implementation with EIE reports and visits

Links / Resources