What is Middle States?
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) has been recognized by the United States Secretary of Education since 1952. MSCHE's primary role is to ensure the quality of education provided by over 500 higher education institutions. They achieve this through a process called accreditation, which holds institutions accountable and promotes continuous improvement. Accreditation involves peer review and the application of specific standards that align with each institution's mission. In upcoming newsletters, each standard will be thoroughly reviewed.
Why is accreditation important?
Accreditation means that standards of quality and excellence have been met. Accreditation is required for campuses to be eligible to participate in Title IV federal financial aid programs. A peer review team evaluates an institution's educational programs and services, student learning, and achievement of its stated goals and mission related to seven standards: These standards are:
- Mission and Goals
- Ethics and Integrity
- Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience
- Support of the Student Experience
- Educational Effectiveness Assessment
- Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement
- Governance, Leadership, and Administration
What is happening now at NCC?
Each workgroup is responsible for covering one of the seven standards established by MSCHE. The first step of the project that workgroups are currently working on is the chapter outline, which is due December 1. This part of the process involves asking important questions and gathering existing evidence to begin to examine how NCC meets the criteria for each standard.
What’s in a chapter outline?
- A heading indicating the standard under consideration
- Cross-references to relevant materials in other parts of the report
- Analytically based inquiry and reflection
- Conclusions, including strengths and challenges
- Opportunities for ongoing institutional improvement and innovation
In the upcoming weeks and months, you might be contacted by a member of the MSCHE committee seeking your expertise, as each standards group prepares their chapter outlines. Please make every effort to assist them promptly. All members of the NCC community are welcomed and encouraged to participate.
If you have questions about accreditation or how you can get involved, click here. For more detailed information about the accreditation process, visit NCC’s MSCHE SharePoint site.