About the Open Pathway

Madison College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The HLC is a commission member of the North Central Association (NCA), which was founded in 1895. It's one of six regional higher education accreditation bodies in the U.S.

Madison College was notified on June 28, 2016 of our continued accreditation through 2025-26.  This reaffirmation allowed the College to select its pathway of accreditation. This selection process was vetted with the College community.  In July 2016, the College formally submitted its declaration for the Open Pathway.  

The Open Pathway is a 10-year cycle, with an Assurance Review in Year 4 and a Comprehensive Evaluation in Year 10.  The Open Pathway includes an improvement component, the Quality Initiative. This initiative targets improvement efforts on a specific project addressing the current needs and aspirations of the institution.  

Learn more about the Open Pathway at the Higher Learning Commission. 

To learn more about Madison College's accreditation history, you can view the reports below. If you have questions or require access to documents in other formats, please contact Jennie Mae at jmay@madisoncollege.edu or 608.243.4042

  • Open Pathway Reports 2016-2026

    Madison College's Open Pathway 10-year cycle

    • Year 4 – Assurance Review: 2019-2020
      The Madison College stakeholders along with the Impact Team and Writing Team submitted the Year 4 Assurance Argument in June 2020. In July 2020, the HLC Review Team provided their review (PDF) and confirmation (PDF) that the college "successfully completed its Year 4 Assurance Review with no recommended monitoring."
    • Years 5-9 – Quality Initiative: 2021-2025
    • Year 10 – Comprehensive Evaluation & Site Visit: 2025-2026

  • 2016 Comprehensive Quality Review Reports

    Madison College had participated in the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) accreditation processes from 2005 to 2016. The institution worked to ensure that Madison College was committed to quality improvement and maintaining compliance with the HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation.

    The processes involved for AQIP were:

    • Strategy Forum
    • Annual Updates
    • Systems Portfolio and Appraisals
    • Comprehensive Quality Review. 

    Learn more by reviewing the Comprehensive Quality Review (CQR) report, the Systems Portfolios and the Systems Appraisal Reports:

    Final CQR Report (PDF) 
    The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) conducted a Comprehensive Quality Review (CQR) site visit in March, 2016. The visit and this associated report are standard activities conducted by the HLC to ensure colleges and universities meet the HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation.

    Below are copies of the reports filed with HLC prior to the HLC peer review site team visit in March 2016: 

    • 2016 Systems Portfolio Addendum (PDF)
      An updated report delivered to the Higher Learning Commission prior to its 2016 Comprehensive Quality Review (CQR) on-site visit. The report is a result of HLC changing their AQIP Pathway from a 7 year cycle to an 8 year cycle; this report will not be repeated in the future. 
    • 2016 Highlights Report (PDF) 
      This is a report that is provided to Higher Learning Commission prior to the Comprehensive Quality Review (CQR). It is a brief highlight of actions, updates, or initiatives that illustrate principles of continuous quality improvements. 
    • 2016 Multi-Campus Report (PDF)
      An institution that operates multiple campuses in addition to the main campus must provide a review the branch campuses prior to the Comprehensive Quality Review (CQR).
    • 2016 Federal Compliance Report (PDF)
      This report assures the institution is compliant in meeting Title IV program responsibilities as well as meeting specific regulations enforced by the U.S. Department of Education.

Students have the right to file complaints with the Higher Learning Commission.