RMCAD Reaffirms Commitment to Excellence with Reaccreditation from the Higher Learning Commission

LAKEWOOD, Colo., Sept. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD) is proud to announce its reaccreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which extends RMCAD's accredited status for another 10 years.

This significant milestone follows a rigorous, comprehensive evaluation and a thorough review of the college's operations, academic quality, and institutional integrity, which culminated in an onsite visit that took place in the spring of 2025.

Accreditation by the HLC is the highest level of quality assurance in higher education and ensures institutions meet stringent standards. The HLC peer review team met with hundreds of RMCAD students, faculty, and staff as well as RMCAD's Board of Directors during their two-day visit to verify the college's commitment to its mission as a community-oriented, global learning environment.

In their report, the peer review team shared, "RMCAD is mission-centered, acts with integrity, provides quality learning experiences for students, and uses good practices to ensure ongoing quality." A high praise to the college's dedicated faculty and staff, who are committed to putting students first.

"The reaccreditation of RMCAD is a reflection of our entire community's dedication and collaboration," states RMCAD President Brent Fitch. "I extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to this process. This accomplishment confirms that we are not only meeting but exceeding the rigorous standards of the HLC and is a powerful validation of our hard work."

RMCAD was also invited to join HLC's Open Pathway, a selective designation designed for institutions committed to pursuing strategic improvement projects with a demonstrated record of excellence, which is a testament to the college's dedication to innovation. This new path will support the college as it continues to advance its educational offerings and pursue new opportunities.

Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost, Dr. Amy Smith shares, "Accreditation is a formal validation of RMCAD's unwavering commitment to educational excellence and student success. It confirms that we are providing a high-quality, valuable education that prepares students for meaningful careers. It is also a testament to our faculty and staff, who work tirelessly to create an environment where students feel supported and can thrive creatively and intellectually."

RMCAD, which was founded in 1963, has maintained its accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 2020 and will continue onward as it prepares for its next evaluation in 2034-2035.

Key excerpts from the HLC peer review team's report:

• Focus on the community, accessibility, and global engagement: "RMCAD makes its creative resources available to the general public through free lectures and Exhibits."
• Dedication to professional development: "RMCAD has a very comprehensive professional development program."
• Commitment to freedom of expression and student learning: "While visiting RMCAD, it was evident that the institution supports a culture of creative work and intellectual inquiry. The team enjoyed seeing and learning about the visible displays of art and projects throughout the campus. Students and faculty were energetic to share their research and creative projects. It is clear that RMCAD is living out its mission of providing "innovative, rigorous and community-oriented global learning environment that inspires passion.""
• Student learning and assessment practices: "The processes and methodologies at RMCAD reflect good practice. The evidence provided in the assurance argument, available in the online materials, and confirmed in conversation demonstrates that RMCAD has invested extensive time, effort, and resources in developing and implementing their assessment practices."
• Mission and Institutional Effectiveness: "Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design (RMCAD) has demonstrated throughout their assurance argument and during the site visit that it is appropriately managing resources, structures, processes, and planning functions to ensure it is able to fulfill its mission, improve the quality of its educational offerings, and respond to future challenges and opportunities as they arise. It is clear that RMCAD has a series of well functioning systems in place that will support the institution into the future. These systems will also allow the institution to improve its educational offerings, while being in a position of strength to tackle any unforeseen circumstances in the future and continuing to fulfill its mission."

About RMCAD

Founded in 1963, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design is an accredited institution of higher education that offers degree programs focused on the arts, design, education, technology, and business. RMCAD serves its students from a 23-acre campus in Lakewood, Colorado, but also virtually, as a leader in online education for more than a decade. RMCAD offers courses taught by practicing industry professionals; an intimate learning environment; multimedia-rich online classes; and a beautiful historic campus. The school strives to allow artists and designers to find their voice, discover their own paths, and thrive as professionals.

Contact: Jenna Heil, Director of Marketing

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SOURCE Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design