Peer Review Team Process

Peer Review

On November 11-12, 2019, a five-person peer review team representing the Higher Learning Commission will visit campus.  HLC relies upon the voluntary work of peer reviewers for its accrediting activities to assure and advance institutional quality.  Peer review in accreditation is based on the fundamental assumption that quality in higher education is best served through a process that enables peers of the institution, informed by standards created and applied by professionals in higher education, to make the judgments essential to assuring and advancing the quality of higher learning.

Before the Visit

Prior to visiting the OSU-OKC campus in November of 2019, the peer review team will spend several weeks carefully reviewing our Assurance Argument, Federal Compliance Document, and the Quality Initiative Project; verifying assertions made in the argument by examining supporting documents provided and identifying people and groups with whom they want to meet while on campus.  In addition to materials provided by OSU-OKC, the peer review team will also read any comments submitted to HLC through the Third-Party Comment process and results of a survey the HLC administers to the students six weeks prior to the campus visit.

During the Visit

While on campus, the peer review team will likely spend time visiting various programs and departments, observing classrooms or co-curricular activities, and meeting with individuals and groups (including open forums with faculty, staff, and students). A schedule of the campus visit will be posted to this website as soon as it becomes available. The Ongoing Accreditation Committee has developed a set of sample questions peer review team members may ask, which is intended to be a helpful guide in preparing for the campus visit.

After the Visit

Several weeks after the campus visit, the peer review team will prepare a draft report, which will be sent to OSU-OKC for review and correction of any errors of fact.  The team will then prepare a final report of its findings and recommendations for the reaffirmation of accreditation status.  OSU-OKC will receive a copy of this report and have an opportunity to provide a formal written response to the HLC.  This response will become part of the official record of the evaluation. The HLC will review the final report and the institution’s response and notify OSU-OKC in writing when the review process is completed and final action by the HLC has been determined.