The Open Pathway is one of two options institutions have for maintaining their accreditation with HLC. It follows a 10-year cycle and is focused on quality assurance and institutional improvement. The Open Pathway is unique in that its improvement component, the Quality Initiative, affords institutions the opportunity to pursue improvement projects that meet their current needs and aspirations. The cycle includes the following:

• Annual Institutional Updates
• Year 4: Assurance Review
• Year 5-9: Quality Initiative Proposal and Report
• Year 10: Comprehensive Evaluation for Reaffirmation

WSU's timeline.