Office of Public Relations
Missouri Baptist University
One College Park Drive
Saint Louis, Missouri 63141-8698
314.392.2307 / fax 314.392.2265
www.mobap.edu / pr@mobap.edu
For Immediate Release
RE: MBU receives full HLC accreditation through 2017
MBU receives full HLC accreditation through 2017
July 18, 2007
In a sweeping affirmation, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has approved an expansive version of Missouri Baptist University’s longstanding accreditation.
“This is a milestone in the life of MBU,” said Dr. Arlen Dykstra, MBU provost and vice president for academic affairs. “This approval not only validates our mission, but it also provides the means for our University to continue forging onward as a leader in Christian higher education.”
The HLC, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, is one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. It is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
The recent approval extends MBU’s continual accreditation through 2017.
The decision for continued accreditation—along with the approval of several requests aimed at furthering the mission of MBU—came after an HLC evaluation team assessed MBU during a three-day visit this past March. In preparation of that comprehensive visit, MBU had been engaged over the last two years in a self-study to thoroughly address HLC’s criteria for accreditation.
In addition to continual accreditation, HLC approved MBU’s request to:
Become a master’s level institution. MBU now has the latitude to launch master’s programs without having to first seek HLC approval. MBU has long been approved to introduce baccalaureate programs without prior HLC evaluation.
Freely offer master’s level and baccalaureate programs at extension sites. The approval allows MBU to begin offering any current academic program at its four extension sites without an HLC extensive review. Prior to this approval, an HLC evaluation was required each time MBU sought to add a degree program at a location besides its West St. Louis County campus.
Freely offer degree programs throughout Missouri or in Southern Illinois. The approval allows MBU the opportunity to more aptly offer a quality Christian education in settings throughout the bi-state region, without seeking prior HLC approval.
“It is important to understand that HLC is placing a high level of trust in the University to carefully evaluate and plan any and all academic changes,” said Dr. Clark Triplett, executive dean of graduate studies and academic program review. “This is a wonderful opportunity for the University and will allow us to make strategic changes without obstructions and long delays.”
MBU has been fully accredited by HLC since 1978.
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Missouri Baptist University is a premier Christian university in Saint Louis, offering graduate and undergraduate studies in over thirty specialized fields and nine degrees. MBU's education and fine arts programs are nationally known in addition to business, religion, administration of justice, and more. MBU is one of the fastest growing higher education institutions in Missouri with an enrollment of over 4,500 students at five locations in the bi-state region — West County, Lincoln County, Jefferson County, Franklin County and the new Illinois extension at Lewis and Clark Community College.
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