Mission, Vision & Core Values

Mission

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is a voluntary, non-governmental, membership association that is dedicated to quality assurance and improvement through accreditation via peer evaluation. Middle States accreditation instills public confidence in institutional mission, goals, performance, and resources through its rigorous accreditation standards and their enforcement.

Vision

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education aspires to be the preeminent resource for institutions of higher education striving to achieve excellence in fulfilling their missions. It also intends, through voluntary assessment and adherence to high standards for student learning outcomes and operational behavior, to assure higher education’s publics that its accredited institutions are fulfilling their stated purposes and addressing the publics’ expectations.

Core Values

The MSCHE is guided by these Core Values:

Voluntary membership

Self-regulation and peer-review

A continuous and seamless relationship with member institutions to promote continuous self-evaluation and institutional improvement

Respect for the unique mission of each institution and evaluation within that context

Student learning and effective teaching

Transparency about the accreditation processes and the status held by each member institution

Commitment to the principles of cooperation, flexibility, and openness

Responsiveness to the needs of the higher education community and societal changes

Consideration of societal and institutional needs through attention to and emphasis on both improvement and compliance

Responsiveness to a diverse, dynamic, global higher education community that is continually evolving

Governance

For an explanation of how the Commission on Higher Education relates to the Middle States Association and how it governs itself, see the FAQ "About the Middle States Association and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education."