Middle States Self-Study
2024 Self-Study for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education Accreditation
In Fall 2021, Immaculata University began an intensive process of self-review and evaluation. This period of research, analysis, and reflection lays the groundwork for the college’s re-accreditation review by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Accredited institutions are expected to demonstrate compliance with the seven MSCHE Accreditation Standards and 15 Requirements of Affiliation. The standards emphasize the centrality of the institution’s mission to planning and decision-making, including determinations about programmatic offerings and resource allocation.
The MSCHE Accreditation Process invites the university to examine itself against external criteria of excellence to demonstrate the institution’s compliance with standards for accreditation, requirements of affiliation, policies and procedures, and applicable federal regulatory requirements.
The 2024 Middle States Self-Study process will be led by the Coordinating Team:
- Kelly Stalker (Co-Chair)
- Sister Judith Parsons (Co-Chair)
- Sister Ann Heath (Accreditation Liaison)
- Mary Kate Boland (Coordinator)
- Angela Tekely (Coordinator)
Why does Accreditation Matter?
- Accredited institutions have access to federal grant money for faculty and financial aid for students.
- Credits are more easily transferred to four-year schools.
- Teaching and research efforts of the faculty are legitimized.
- The process invites the College to consider: How are we doing?
How does MSCHE accreditation work?
The Commission is a voluntary, non-governmental, membership association that defines, maintains, and promotes educational excellence across institutions with diverse missions, student populations, and resources. It examines each institution as a whole, rather than specific programs within institutions.
Questions and comments regarding the MSCHE Accreditation may be directed to msche@immaculata.edu.
MSCHE accepts complaints involving an applicant or member institution’s compliance with the Commission’s Standards for Accreditation, Requirements of Affiliation, Commission policies and procedures, or the institution’s own policies and procedures. To submit a complaint, please use the Complaint form.
The Commission accepts comments from all interested individuals about the quality of an applicant or member institution when the institution is approaching a scheduled accreditation review. Third-party comments are intended to allow individuals to offer more generalized information that is not necessarily specific to individual circumstances. To submit a third-party comment, please use the Third-Party Comment form.
Announcements & Resources
- Messages from President Lettiere
- Immaculata University Self-Study Design
- Immaculata University Strategic Plan
- Middle States Statement of Accreditation
- Middle State Commission States Commission on Higher Education Standards and Requirements of Affiliation
High Level Timeline
| Fall 2021 | Self-Study Institute and Core Team meetings |
| December 2021 | Steering Committee Meeting |
| January/February 2022 | Meeting with MSCHE VP, Assemble Work Groups, Begin to draft Self-Study Design (SSD) |
| May 2022 | SSD Completed |
| June 2022 | Self-Study Prep Visit with MSCHE VP |
| Fall 2023 | Self-Study Report submitted (2 weeks before Chair visit) |
| Nov. 28, 20223 | MSCHE Team Chair Preliminary Visit |
| Winter 23/24 | Self-Study Report finalized and shared with IU community |
| Spring 2024 | Final Self-Study Report submitted (6 weeks before team visit), Self-Study Evaluation Team Visit |
Major Milestones for Accreditation
| August 26, 2021 | Presidents selects and announces Self-Study co-chairs |
| October 1, 2021 | Designated leadership team participates in Self-Study Institute |
| November 20, 2021 | President appoints Steering Committee |
| December 17, 2021 | Steering Committee First Meeting |
| January 14, 2022 | Remote Self-Study Preparation Discussion by Dr. Terence Peavy, MSCHE VP with Immaculata MSCHE Core Team |
| February 3, 2022 | President appoints and announces Work Groups |
| Week of February 14th | Work Group Initial Meetings |
| February 16, 2022 | Executive Administration approved Institutional Priorities |
| May 6, 2022 | Self-Study Design draft sent to MSCHE Liaison |
| June 9, 2022 | Self-Study Preparation Virtual Visit with Dr. Terence Peavy, MSCHE Vice President for Institutional Field Relations |
| July 8, 2022 | Self-Study revised document sent to MSCHE Liaison |
| July 18, 2022 | Final approval of Self-Study Design document from MSCHE |
| November 28, 2023 | Preliminary MSCHE site visit |
| March 24-27, 2024 | MSCHE site visit |