HLC Launches Endorsement Process for Navigating Complex Credential Marketplace

CHICAGO — The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is launching this week a process to evaluate and endorse organizations that provide short-term credential programs, such as certificates, microcredentials, badges or other alternative credentials.  

As a leading higher education accreditor, HLC is applying its expertise to establish a reliable source of quality assurance for students, employers and others navigating this growing market. Endorsement of providers by HLC also is expected to assist business and industry across the nation in best meeting specific workforce needs. 

“We are on track to endorse providers who meet high-quality standards in offering short-term credentials of value,” said Higher Learning Commission President Barbara Gellman-Danley. “Our goal is to expand the nation’s pool of valuable, HLC endorsed providers, thereby increasing pathways for students to gain the qualifications they need to get ahead and succeed.” 

HLC will accept applications for the endorsement for the first cohort of providers through January 23, 2026. 

The Endorsement of short-term credential provider companies is part of HLC’s Credential Lab initiative. With generous funding from Lumina Foundation, the endorsement program will recognize credential providers that meet high-quality standards, distinguishing them in the growing credential marketplace as both trustworthy providers and partners. 

These innovations result from several years of research and work with experts in the higher education and credential fields by HLC and its Credential Lab. The Endorsement is expected to be a nationally recognized benchmark of quality for third-party credential providers.  

“This is a milestone that will bring greater confidence in our nation’s burgeoning credential marketplace,” said Gellman-Danley. “HLC’s work reflects the changing marketplace, which increasingly includes short-term certificates and alternative credentials for students.” 

Earlier this year, HLC completed a pilot in which a small group of providers tested the endorsement framework and process.  

Ryan Spendelow, senior vice president for training and curriculum at Corporate Finance Institute, a global provider of certificates for finance professionals, was in the pilot group.

“The process is thorough yet straightforward,” said Spendelow. “HLC made it clear it is invested in helping us succeed.” 

Among requirements, providers seeking endorsement are expected to show: 

• Their organization is stable, both financially and legally. 

• Educational offerings are aligned with workforce learning needs. 

• Protections for learners have been established and are a priority. 

“This is a process that will allow providers to gain added credibility, and for learners to be confident in the quality and value of the learning being provided,” Spendelow added. 

The endorsement application process is expected to take no longer than five months. The HLC endorsement would be up for review and renewal every two years.  

Also launching this week is HLC’s Credential Lab pilot Innovation Center, a series of four topic-based, interactive virtual workshops featuring field-building experts, structured activities and resources for participating colleges and universities that are early in the process of designing short-term credentials to advance workforce preparation and career opportunities. 

The program is made possible by funding from Lumina Foundation and ECMC Foundation. HLC has just received a new two-year $250,000 grant from Lumina Foundation, which has an overarching goal of ensuring that 75% of adults in the nation’s workforce have college degrees and/or other credentials by the year 2040.  

In recognition of the changing credential ecosystem, the grant will contribute to several HLC initiatives, including more resources for the Innovation Center, upgrading HLC’s Student Guide to include tools and tips for navigating the credential landscape, as well as hosting a meeting with state higher education agencies to discuss ways to align efforts to assure quality and improve transparency for learners and employers. The end result will be to help institutions of higher learning grow their own programs and meet the challenge of non-credit program linkages to degrees.  

About the Higher Learning Commission 

The Higher Learning Commission accredits approximately 1,000 colleges and universities in the United States. HLC is a private, nonprofit accrediting agency. It is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. 

About Lumina Foundation 

Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation in Indianapolis committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. We envision higher learning that is easy to navigate, delivers fair results, and meets the nation’s talent needs through a broad range of credentials. We work toward a system that prepares people for informed citizenship and success in a global economy.