Standards for Accreditation

Here is a summary of the standards that the Middle States Commission on Higher Education requires for accreditation. You can access the entire (24 page) document at www.msache.org. The document has a chapter on each of the categories mentioned below. Recurring themes throughout each section are assessment, planning, and explicit links to mission and goals.

  1. institutional integrity in the conduct of all of its activities and equitable policies
  2. clear and appropriate mission and goals
  3. clear and appropriate policies and services for students
  4. committed, qualified faculty adequate to support the programs offered
  5. sound educational program and curricula, all linked to stated mission and goals
  6. sufficient library and learning resources with proof of their use and availability
  7. guidelines and procedures to assess institutional effectiveness and outcomes
  8. evidence of planning and resource allocation that is consistent with the mission and goals
  9. sufficient financial resources
  10. organization, administration, and governance which facilitate teaching, research, and learning
  11. responsible and effective governing board
  12. facilities, equipment, and other resources sufficient to meet the needs of the institution and its programs
  13. honest and accurate catalogs, publications, and other promotional materials
  14. evidence that the institution is responsive to the need for institutional change and renewal