Academic News
Stamp of Approval
Seminary once again meets highest standards of
educational certification.
Astrid Caicedo, Assistant Dean of Studies
I
n July of this year, Sacred Heart was officially
notified by the Higher Learning Commission
(HLC) of the North Central Association of
Colleges and Schools and by the Association of
Theological Schools of the United States and
Canada (ATS) that both agencies had re-affirmed
the seminary’s accreditation. After more than
two years of preparations, this news was most
welcomed by the board of trustees, the faculty,
the staff and the students at Sacred Heart, as
the process for achieving accreditation required
the hard work and
dedication of the
entire seminary
community.
The seminary has
been accredited by
HLC since 1960 and
by ATS since 1991—but their approvals can never
be taken for granted and thus explains the need
for diligent groundwork.
Beginning as far back as November 2011,
the seminary began what is known as a selfstudy process in order to receive re-affirmation
of its accredited status with HLC and ATS.
Accreditation by these two agencies serves to
ensure to our students, to employers, and to
the general public that Sacred Heart maintains
academic standards appropriate to our mission,
that our programs are of high academic quality,
and that the institution is managed responsibly
and with integrity. Additionally, accreditation
permits the seminary to participate in federal
and state programs such as student financial
aid programs. This important distinction also
facilitates the recognition of our courses and
degrees by other higher education institutions.
The self-study process requires institutions
to evaluate themselves based on a set of
expectations established by accreditors ۛ