Frequently Asked Questions about Middle States Reaccreditation

Who is the Middle States Commission on Higher Education?

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) is a voluntary, peer-based, non-profit association that performs peer evaluation and accreditation of public and private universities and colleges primarily in Delaware, Washington DC, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

What does Middle States do?

Middle States' role is to assure students and the public of the educational quality of higher education. This is achieved through the accreditation process which helps colleges and universities demonstrate institutional accountability through a rigorous process of self-reflection and peer review.

Isn't ACPHS accredited by other agencies?

The College currently has three academic programs - Doctor of Pharmacy, Cytotechnology and Molecular Cytology, and Clinical Laboratory Sciences - that are accredited by different agencies. Middle States, however, is the only agency that provides accreditation for the institution as a whole.

What specifically does the Middle States reaccreditation process entail?

The focus of this process is the Self-Study which is an intensive review of an institution’s educational programs and services, student learning, and achievement of its stated goals and mission, as measured against the seven standards that have been developed by Middle States. These standards are:

  1. Mission and Goals
  2. Ethics and Integrity
  3. Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience
  4. Support of the Student Experience
  5. Educational Effectiveness Assessment
  6. Planning, Resources and Institutional Improvement
  7. Governance, Leadership, and Administration

Click the following link to view the criteria associated with each standard.

What if a school fails to meet all of the criteria for a standard?

Not meeting all of the criteria for a standard does not mean the school is in violation of the standard. It is understood that every institution has areas that can be improved. Through the Self-Study process, institutions should identify those areas for improvement and then develop a plan to address them.

How long will the Self-Study process take?

From the kickoff of the Self-Study to the site visit by representatives from peer institutions, the entire process will take about two years.

What happens at the end of the Self-Study?

Our expectation is that we will be reaccredited for eight years (Middle States recently reduced the maximum period of reaccreditation from 10 years to 8 years). Following the conclusion of the Self-Study process, all schools must provide annual reports detailing their progress in any areas designated for improvement. A follow up site visit is also scheduled at the halfway point of the accreditation to monitor the school's progress.

Who do I contact if I have questions or want to be involved in this process at ACPHS?

Please contact the Middle States Self-Study Co-Chairs Dave Clarke or Sue Iwanowicz.