The Art Academy of Cincinnati will undergo a comprehensive evaluation visit April 16-18, 2012, by a team representing The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Art Academy of Cincinnati has been accredited by the Commission since 1990. Its accreditation is at the Bachelor's degree level in Fine Arts as well as a Master's degree level in Art Education.

The Higher Learning Commission is one of six accrediting agencies in the United States that provide institutional accreditation on a regional basis. Institutional accreditation evaluates an entire institution and accredits it as a whole. Other agencies provide accreditation for specific programs. Accreditation is voluntary. The commission accredits approximately 1100 institutions of higher education in a nineteen-state region. The commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

For the past year and a half, the Art Academy of Cincinnati has been engaged in a process of self-study, addressing the commission's requirements and criteria for accreditation. The evaluation team will visit the institution to gather evidence that the self-study is thorough and accurate. The team will recommend to the Commission a continuing status for the college; following a review process, the Commission itself will take the final action.

As part of its ongoing effort to make the accreditation process responsive to a broad range of constituents, the Commission has integrated the federally required (1998 Higher Education Act Amendments) third-party comment process into its regular accrediting processes. Since the 1997-98 academic year, the Commission has required institutions undergoing comprehensive evaluation (initial or continued candidacy or accreditation) to publish basic information about the visit in appropriate publications and invite the public to provide written comments to the commission. The commission will forward these comments to the evaluation team to include in its review of the institution.

The public is invited to submit comments regarding the Art Academy of Cincinnati:

On the Higher Learning Commission website at:
http://www.ncahlc.org/information-for-the-public/third-party-comment.html
Submit your comments using the form provided on the site.

Send mail to the Commission:
Public Comment on the Art Academy of Cincinnati
The Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604

Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution or its academic programs. Written, signed comments must be received by March 16, 2012. The commission cannot guarantee that comments received after the due date will be considered. Comments should include the name, address, and email and telephone number of the person providing the comments. Comments will not be treated as confidential.

Note: Individuals with a specific dispute or grievance with an institution should request a separate Policy on Complaints document from the Commission office. The Higher Learning Commission cannot settle disputes between institutions and individuals. Complaints will not be considered third party comment.