CREDIT
Higher Learning Commission and
Dual Credit Teacher Requirements
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is NWTC’s accreditation body and has
imposed new credential requirements for high school dual credit teachers. These
credentials will be enforced in September 2022 and require those that teach in
the area of General Studies (Math, Language, Communications, Natural Sciences,
Behavioral Sciences, Social Sciences) to possess a Master’s Degree in the content
area or a Master’s degree plus 18 graduate credits in the content area. NEWERA
is a group of post-secondary institutions in Northeast WI that is working on
creating course access, affordability and incentives for this credential pursuit.
HLC Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)?
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an
independent corporation that was founded
in 1895 as one of six regional institutional
accreditors in the United States. HLC accredits
degree-granting post-secondary educational
institutions in the North Central region.
2. What has NWTC done to abide
by HLC requirements?
4. Who will pay for these heightened
course requirements?
Dual credit instructors are encouraged to work
within their District process/policies to gain
financial support for course tuition. NEWERA will
continue to seek grant and legislative support to
help in financing HLC credential requirements.
5. Why is post-secondary accreditation important?
Like most post-secondary institutions within the
North Central region of the U.S., we have filed and
been granted an extension until September 2022
to meet the dual credit credential requirements. An HLC peer review of college operations
ensures quality programming, which qualifies
post-secondary institutions to grant federal
financial aid to students and allows potential
credit transferability to four-year partners.
3. What is NWTC doing to help teachers
gain these heightened credentials? 6. Why does HLC accreditation extend
to dual (transcripted) credit?
NWTC partnered with Northeast Wisconsin
Educational Resource Alliance (NEWERA) to: Dual credit (transcripted credit) is defined as a
duplication of an NWTC course delivered by a
secondary teacher that is trained in post-secondary
curriculum delivery. Because the transcripted/
dual credit course is an extension of NWTC
coursework, high school dual credit instructors
must meet HLC credential guidelines. For more
information, please visit: nwtc.edu/K12HLC
• create access to coursework/credentials
in a variety of modes of instruction
• explore reduced funding costs related
to course tuition and/or grant options
• partner with area school districts through
work groups to create incentives for
teachers to pursue heightened credentials
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