Council of Independent Colleges
Encyclopedia
The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) is an association of nearly 600 independent, liberal arts
colleges and universities
and more than 70 higher education
affiliates and organizations that work together to strengthen college and university leadership, sustain high-quality education, and enhance private higher education’s contributions to society. To fulfill this mission, CIC provides its members with skills, tools, and knowledge that address aspects of leadership, financial management and performance, academic quality, and institutional visibility. The Council is headquartered at One Dupont Circle in Washington, DC.
offerings and degree requirements, must have been in operation for at least three years, and must be accredited
or have candidate status with a U.S. regional accrediting association
. Similar institutions outside the U.S. may join as international members, and independent, nonprofit two-year institutions may qualify for associate membership.
. Bringing FIHE under the CIC umbrella will enable CIC to expands it role in supporting independent colleges by also working with, and providing grant support to, state consortia of private colleges and universities.
Liberal arts
The term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...
colleges and universities
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
and more than 70 higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
affiliates and organizations that work together to strengthen college and university leadership, sustain high-quality education, and enhance private higher education’s contributions to society. To fulfill this mission, CIC provides its members with skills, tools, and knowledge that address aspects of leadership, financial management and performance, academic quality, and institutional visibility. The Council is headquartered at One Dupont Circle in Washington, DC.
Membership Criteria
To join the Council as a full member, a U.S. college or university must grant baccalaureate degrees, must demonstrate a commitment to liberal arts and sciences through its curriculumCurriculum
See also Syllabus.In formal education, a curriculum is the set of courses, and their content, offered at a school or university. As an idea, curriculum stems from the Latin word for race course, referring to the course of deeds and experiences through which children grow to become mature adults...
offerings and degree requirements, must have been in operation for at least three years, and must be accredited
Educational accreditation
Educational accreditation is a type of quality assurance process under which services and operations of educational institutions or programs are evaluated by an external body to determine if applicable standards are met...
or have candidate status with a U.S. regional accrediting association
Regional accreditation
Regional accreditation is a term used in the United States to refer to educational accreditation conducted by any of several accreditation bodies established to serve six defined geographic areas of the country for accreditation of schools, colleges, and universities...
. Similar institutions outside the U.S. may join as international members, and independent, nonprofit two-year institutions may qualify for associate membership.
Tuition Exchange Program
One of CIC's services to its member institutions is its Tuition Exchange Program, a network of about 350 CIC colleges and universities that are willing to accept, tuition-free, students from families of full-time employees of other participating institutions.Planning for the Future
In the near future, CIC will be adding to its offerings, as its Board has voted to merge with the Foundation for Independent Higher Education ( FIHE )Foundation for Independent Higher Education ( FIHE )
The Foundation for Independent Higher Education is the national partner for a network of state-based private college fundraising associations in the United States...
. Bringing FIHE under the CIC umbrella will enable CIC to expands it role in supporting independent colleges by also working with, and providing grant support to, state consortia of private colleges and universities.