Accreditation
Muhlenberg College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
What is the Middle States Commission on Higher Education?
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is a voluntary, non-governmental, peer-based membership association dedicated to educational excellence and improvement through peer-evaluation and accreditation. As a recognized leader in promoting and ensuring quality assurance and improvement in higher education, the Commission defines, maintains, and promotes educational excellence and responds creatively to a diverse, dynamic, global higher education community that is continually evolving.
The Commission supports its members in their quest for excellence and provides assurance to the general public that accredited member institutions meet its standards. The Commission achieves its purposes through assessment, peer evaluation, consultation, information gathering and sharing, cooperation, and appropriate educational activities. The Commission is committed to the principles of cooperation, flexibility, openness and responsiveness to the needs of society and the higher education community.
What are the requirements for Accreditation?
Taken from “Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation.” Published by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
“The Middle States Commission on Higher Education Accreditation Standards and Requirements of Affiliation are comprised of the enclosed seven standards and 15 requirements which serve as an ongoing guide for those institutions considering application for membership, those accepted as candidate institutions, and those accredited institutions engaged in self-review and peer evaluation. Accredited institutions are expected to demonstrate compliance with these standards and requirements, to conduct their activities in a manner consistent with the standards and requirements, and to engage in ongoing processes of self-review and improvement.”
What are key elements? What is Assessment?
The Commission continues to emphasize institutional assessment and assessment of student learning, both quantitative and qualitative. Consistent with higher education at large, the Commission has become increasingly focused on student learning outcomes. The Commission is looking for serious, on-going assessment within the context of an institution’s mission statement.
