Statement of Accreditation Status
Hilbert College
- CEO: Mr. Michael Cornell, President
- Accreditation Liaison Officer: Dr. Katelyn Letizia
- Commission Staff Liaison: Kristy Bishop, Vice President
- Carnegie Classification: Professions-focused Baccalaureate Small » No research designation
- Control: Private (Non-Profit)
- Former Name(s): Immaculata College
- Phase: Accredited
- Status: Accreditation Reaffirmed
- Accreditation Granted: February 28, 1976
- Last Reaffirmation: February 15, 2024
- Next Self-Study Evaluation: 2025-2026
- November 24, 2025
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report requested by the Commission action of February 27, 2025. To request a supplemental information report, due February 27, 2026, providing further evidence of: (1) compliance with all applicable Commission policies and procedures, including substantive changes affecting institutional mission, goals, programs, operations, sites, and other material issues which must be disclosed in a timely and accurate fashion, including but not limited to shared services agreements among the institution and its related entities (Standard II and Complex Substantive Change Procedures); (2) written evidence of review, including but not limited to approval of or a determination that the entity has declined to review the transaction, from all required licensing, regulatory, or other legal entities as necessary (Standard II and Complex Substantive Change Procedures); and (3) a governing body with members that have sufficient diversity, independence, and expertise to ensure the integrity of the institution and have primary responsibility to the accredited institution and not allow political, financial, relationship with a related entity, or other undue influences to interfere with their governing responsibilities (Standard VII) (Fourteenth Edition and Evidence Expectations by Standard Guidelines). To direct the evaluation team, scheduled to visit in spring 2026, to address the information submitted in the supplemental information report. To remind the institution of its obligation to make freely available to the Commission accurate, fair, and complete information on all aspects of the institution and its related entities. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2025-2026. - June 6, 2025
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report requested by the Commission action of January 16, 2025, providing information on key data indicators (enrollment - FTE) from the 2024 Annual Institutional Update in accordance with federal regulation 34 CFR 602.19 (c). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2025-2026. - February 27, 2025
To note that the complex substantive change site visit occurred on December 4, 2024, to the main campus at 5200 South Park Ave., Hamburg, NY 14075. To request a supplemental information report, due June 30, 2025 providing further evidence of (1) the avoidance of conflict of interest or the appearance of such conflict in all activities and among all constituents (Standard II); (2) compliance with all applicable Commission policies and procedures, including substantive changes affecting institutional mission, goals, programs, operations, sites, and other material issues which must be disclosed in a timely and accurate fashion, included but not limited to written arrangements (Standard II and Complex Substantive Change Procedures); (3) final approval for the transaction from USDE, including copies of documentation submitted by the institution to request such approval (Complex Substantive Change Procedures); (4) documented financial resources, funding base, and plans for financial development, including those from any related entities adequate to support its educational purposes and programs and to ensure financial stability (Standard VI); (5) comprehensive and consolidated financial audit for fiscal year 2024 (Standard VI); and (6) a governing body with members that have primary responsibility to the accredited institution and does not allow financial relationship with a related entity, or other undue influences to interfere with their governing responsibilities (Standard VII)(Fourteenth Edition and Evidence Expectations by Standard Guidelines). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2025-2026. - January 16, 2025
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to request a supplemental information report, due February 14, 2025, providing information on key data indicators (enrollment – FTE) from the 2024 Annual Institutional Update in accordance with federal regulation 34 CFR § 602.19 (c). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2025-2026. - November 21, 2024
To acknowledge receipt of the monitoring report requested by the Commission action of February 15, 2024. To note that a follow-up visit will not be conducted. To note that the complex substantive change supplemental information report, submitted on November 1, 2024, is under review. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2025-2026. - June 27, 2024
To acknowledge receipt of the complex substantive change request. To include the complex substantive change within the institution's scope of accreditation, effective June 27, 2024. To note the complex substantive change request includes the acquisition of Valley Training Centers, Inc. (dba Valley College) by Hilbert College through the creation of Franciscan Services, Inc., which occurred May 9, 2023. To note the institution completed this transaction without Commission review and approval. To note that approval is not retroactive. To note that accreditation status cannot be acquired by, transferred, or extended to any third party (Related Entities Policy and Procedures). To note organizations that are not institutions of higher education and/or are not accredited and/or are not members of the Commission, including applicant institutions or organizations that may have some affiliation, partnership, or arrangement with a member institution, are prohibited from implying accredited status with the Commission in any way (Public Disclosures Policy and Procedures). To note that written evidence of required approvals has been provided by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools, Ohio Department of Education, and West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education. To request a complex substantive change supplemental information report, due November 1, 2024, providing (1) the updated status of the complex substantive change, including the implementation of budgeting and governance processes; (2) written evidence of review, including but not limited to approval of or a determination that the entity has declined to review the transaction from all outstanding required licensing, regulatory, or other legal entities as necessary, including the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, Office of the New York State Attorney General, New York State Education Department, and United States Department of Education (Standard II); (3) documented financial resources, funding base, and plans for financial development, including those from any related entities, adequate to support its educational purposes and programs and to ensure financial stability (Standard VI); (4) evidence of a clearly articulated and transparent governance structure that outlines roles, responsibilities, and accountability for inclusive decision making by each constituency, including the institution's legally constituted governing body, administration, faculty, staff, and students, as well as any related entities (Standard VII); and (5) evidence of a governing body that makes freely available to the Commission accurate, fair, and complete information on all aspects of the institution and its operations and ensures the institution describes itself in comparable and consistent terms to all of its accrediting and regulatory agencies (Standard VII) (Fourteenth Edition and Evidence Expectations by Standard Guidelines). To direct a complex substantive change site visit as soon as practicable but no later than six months from the date of this action. To note the Commission reserves the right to rescind this action if any developments reveal additional information that might have affected the Commission's decision. To remind the institution and the related entity of their responsibility for disclosing, documenting, and explaining all significant matters and relationships involving related entities that may impact its compliance including but not limited to governance, independence and autonomy, management and administration, and financial viability and stability (Related Entities Policy and Procedures). To direct the institution to conduct a new comprehensive evaluation in accordance with Commission policy and procedures and federal regulation 34 CFR § 602.22(h). To note the institution is currently in self-study in anticipation of an evaluation visit in 2025-2026. - March 18, 2024
To note that the Commission liaison guidance visit occurred on October 18, 2023. To grant a one-year delay of the evaluation visit scheduled for 2024-2025 due to reaffirmation following non-compliance and to continue accreditation. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2025-2026. - February 15, 2024
To acknowledge receipt of the monitoring report requested by the Commission action of September 25, 2023. To note the follow-up team visit by the Commission's representatives to the main campus at 5200 South Park Avenue, Hamburg, NY 14075 on January 10-11, 2024. To reaffirm accreditation because the institution is now in compliance with Standard II (Ethics and Integrity), Standard VI (Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement), Standard VII (Governance, Leadership, and Administration), Related Entities Policy and Procedures, Substantive Change Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines, and Complex Substantive Change Procedures. To request a monitoring report, due September 6, 2024, demonstrating sustainability of implemented corrective measures and further evidence of (1) the avoidance of conflict of interest or the appearance of such conflict in all activities and among all constituents (Standard II); (2) compliance with all government laws and regulations and Commission policies and procedures, including substantive changes affecting institutional mission, goals, programs, operations, sites, and other material issues which must be disclosed in a timely and accurate fashion (Standard II); (3) a financial planning and budgeting process that is aligned with the institution's mission and goals, evidence-based, and clearly linked to the institution's and units' strategic plans/objectives (Standard VI); and (4) a clearly articulated and transparent governance structure that outlines roles, responsibilities, and accountability for inclusive decision making by each constituency, including the institution's legally constituted governing body, administration, faculty, staff, and students, as well as any related entities (Standard VII) (Fourteenth Edition and Evidence Expectations by Standard Guidelines). A follow-up team may follow submission of the monitoring report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2024-2025. - September 25, 2023
To acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report. To rescind the action of May 18, 2023, because the institution completed the acquisition of another institution without Commission review and approval. To note that the institution was informed by the Commission that the transaction required review and approval under Commission policy and procedures and federal regulation 34 CFR 602.22(a)(1)(ii)(B) and 600.31. To warn the institution that its accreditation may be in jeopardy because of insufficient evidence that the institution is currently in compliance with: Standard II (Ethics and Integrity), Standard VI (Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement), and Standard VII (Governance, Leadership, and Administration); Related Entities Policy and Procedures; Substantive Change Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines; and Complex Substantive Change Procedures. To note that the institution remains accredited while on warning. To note further that federal regulations limit the period during which an institution may be in non-compliance, which starts on September 25, 2023. To request a monitoring report due October 23, 2023, demonstrating evidence that the institution has achieved and can sustain ongoing compliance with Standard II, Standard VI, and Standard VII; Related Entities Policies and Procedures; Substantive Change Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines; and Complex Substantive Change Procedures, including evidence of 1. honesty and truthfulness in public relations announcements, as it relates to the transaction (Standard II); 2. the avoidance of conflict of interest or the appearance of such conflict in all activities and among all constituents (Standard II); 3. compliance with all applicable Commission policies and procedures, including substantive changes affecting institutional mission, goals, programs, operations, sites, and other material issues which must be disclosed in a timely and accurate fashion, included but not limited to written arrangements (Standard II; Substantive Change Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines; and Complex Substantive Change Procedures); 4. approvals for the transaction from all necessary licensing, regulatory, or other legal entities, including copies of documentation submitted by the institution to request such approvals (Complex Substantive Change Procedures); 5. documented financial resources, funding base, and plans for financial development, including those from any related entities adequate to support its educational purposes and programs and to ensure financial stability (Standard VI); 6. a clearly articulated and transparent governance structure that outlines roles, responsibilities, and accountability for inclusive decision making by each constituency, including the institution's legally constituted governing body, administration, faculty, staff, and students, as well as any related entities (Standard VII); 7. a governing body that has sufficient independence and expertise to ensure the integrity of the institution and has primary responsibility to the accredited institution (Standard VII, Related Entities Policies and Procedures); 8. a governing body that makes freely available to the Commission accurate, fair, and complete information on all aspects of the institution and its operations and ensures the institution describes itself in comparable and consistent terms to all of its accrediting and regulatory agencies (Standard VII). To request that the monitoring report also include evidence of post-acquisition activities (Complex Substantive Change Procedures). To require the institution to submit by October 23, 2023, a complex substantive change request for a change in legal status, form of control, or ownership (Complex Substantive Change Procedures). To direct a follow-up team visit following submission of the monitoring report. To direct a prompt Commission liaison guidance visit to discuss the Commission's expectations. Upon reaffirmation of accreditation, the next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2024-2025. - June 8, 2023
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to request a supplemental information report, due June 30, 2023, that provides additional information on Standard II: Ethics and Integrity; Standard III: Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience; Standard VII: Governance, Leadership, and Administration; Related Entities Policy and Procedures; and Substantive Change Policy and Procedures, including the Complex Substantive Change Procedures. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2024-2025. - Distance Education
Approved to offer programs by this delivery method - Correspondence Education
Not approved for this delivery method - Associate's Degree or Equivalent Included within the scope
- Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Included within the scope
- Master's Degree or Equivalent Included within the scope
- Main Campus
Hilbert College
5200 South Park Avenue
Hamburg, NY 14075-1597
Approved Credential Levels
The following represents credential levels included in the scope of the institution’s accreditation:
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