The accreditation process of the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools is discussed. After describing the meaning and purposes of accreditation and the evolution of the Commission's evaluative principles, information is provided on the Criteria for Accreditation and Candidacy, including the General Institutional Requirements that each institution affiliated with the Commission must meet as well as the Evaluative Criteria for Accreditation and Candidacy. Procedures used by the Commission in evaluating whether an institution meets the criteria are also explained. Attention is also directed to: the Statement of Affiliation Status, how information on the affiliation of an institution is shared with the public, Commission policies and procedures for institutional change, and sanctions of the Commission. Appendices include: the Preliminary Information Form, Rules of Procedure of the Commission, a mission statement for the Commission, guidelines on contractual relationships between an accredited institution and other organizations, guidelines of institutional good practice concerning refund of student charges and public disclosure, and addresses and phone numbers of regional accrediting associations and the Council of Postsecondary Accreditation. (SW)