Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Middle States?

The Commission on Higher Education is the unit of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools that accredits degree-granting colleges and universities in the Middle States region.  It examines the institution as a whole rather than specific programs within the institution.

What is accreditation?

Accreditation is a means of self-regulation and peer review adopted by the educational community.  The accrediting process is intended to strengthen and sustain the quality and integrity of higher education, making it worthy of public confidence.  

In the Middle States region, accreditation is an expression of the confidence that the Middle States Commission on Higher Education has in an institution's mission and goals, its performance, and its resources.  Based upon the results of an institutional review by a team of peers assigned by the Commission, accreditation attests to the judgement of the Commission that an institution has met the following criteria:

• that it has a mission appropriate to higher education;
• that it is guided by well-defined and appropriate goals, including goals for student learning;
• that it has established conditions and procedures under which its mission and goals can be realized;
• that is assesses both institutional effectiveness and student learning outcomes, and uses the results for improvement;
• that it is accomplishing its mission and goals substantially;
• that it is so organized, staffed, and supported that it can be expected to continue to accomplish its mission and goals; and
• that it meets the eligibility requirements and standards for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Where can I learn more about Middle States?

Their website is www.msache.org

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