Institutional Accreditation

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as one of seven institutional accrediting agencies to conduct accreditation and pre-accreditation (Candidacy status) activities for institutions of higher education in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including distance education and correspondence education programs offered at those institutions.

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.

Guiding Principles

Five principles guide the analysis in each of our seven standards because of their importance in higher education.

1. Application of the Standards within the Context of an Institution’s Mission and Goals
2. Centrality of the Student Experience
3. Reflection on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
4. Emphasis on Data and Evidence-based Decision-making
5. Innovation as an Essential Part of Continuous Improvement

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.

Four principles guided the development of these standards:

1. The mission-centric standards acknowledge the diversity of institutions;
2. The focus of the standards is on the student learning experience;
3. The standards emphasize institutional assessment and assessment of student learning
4. The standards support innovation as an essential part of continuous institutional improvement.

Learn More About Standards of Accreditation

Drexel University is currently in the self-study creation process in preparation for the fall of 2026 accreditation review by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.  This reflective effort is led by a representative steering committee composed of staff and faculty from across the campus.  

Learn More About MSCHE 2026 Initiative