Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Commission consider student learning at an institution?

Yes, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education considers student learning to be a very important matter in the accreditation process.

The Commission’s standards, Characteristics of Excellence in Higher Education (2006), available for downloading at Publications, focus on student learning in many standards, particularly but not exclusively in the context of Assessment of Student Learning (Standard 14), Related Educational Activities (Standard 13), General Education (Standard 12), Educational Offerings (Standard 11), Student Admissions (Standard 8), and Institutional Resources (Standard 3).

In addition, the Commission has endorsed the statement, “Regional Accreditation and Student Learning: Principles for Good Practice” (available here in PDF), which was developed by the Council of Regional Accrediting Commissions and adopted in May 2003. The Principles outline “What an accrediting commission should reasonably expect of itself” and “What an accrediting commission should reasonably expect of an institution”.

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See the FAQ: "What should students know about expectations for learning at an institution?"

See also Published Tests & Assessments in Higher Education, an article by Linda Suskie, MSCHE Vice President.

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