About the Government Affairs Updates series
As the federal policy landscape continues to shift rapidly, potential impacts on higher education, and Metropolitan State University of Denver in particular, are top-of-mind. MSU Denver’s Government Affairs office, in partnership with experts from across the University, is providing timely, transparent and clear information through this series of Q&A Early Bird articles. Visit the Government Affairs website for more information and updates.
During the April President’s Cabinet meeting, Shaun Schafer, Ph.D., associate vice president of Curriculum, Academic Effectiveness and Policy Development; and Kaycee Gerhart, vice president for Government Affairs, presented about the accreditation process and President Donald Trump’s executive order calling for accreditation reform.
Here are some of the commonly asked questions about accreditation and the executive order:
Q: Will the recent executive order calling for accreditation reform impact MSU Denver?
A: MSU Denver does not anticipate any major changes to existing requirements for accreditation. The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and its next reaccreditation review is scheduled for fall 2026. The focus remains on continuous improvement and meeting the HLC’s established criteria.
Q: Could this executive order lead to new federal oversight of curriculum or accreditation standards?
A: Unlikely. Accreditors are independent, member-driven organizations, and the U.S. Department of Education does not control curriculum or set accreditor standards. While the executive order may lead to new accrediting bodies operating in some states where policy conflicts exist, Colorado is not in that position, and changes to the HLC’s expectations aren’t expected at this time. There may be a broader range of institutions become accredited under newly recognized agencies, but this does not change MSU Denver’s current standing or approach.
Q: What role does the federal government play in higher ed accreditation?
A: The federal government does not accredit colleges or set accreditation standards. Instead, the U.S. Department of Education recognizes accrediting agencies that meet specific criteria. Colleges must be accredited by a recognized agency for their students to receive federal financial aid (Title IV funding).
