MSCHE Withdraws Accreditation from ASA College

November 11, 2022

On November 11, 2022, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) took immediate adverse action to withdraw accreditation from ASA College. The final date that accreditation will cease is to be determined based on the next supplemental information report due December 9, 2022; however, the Commission will not extend accreditation beyond March 1, 2023.

The Commission explained the rationale in the adverse action which focused on the institution’s failure to provide evidence and analysis through written reports that were conducive to review and the institution’s failure to provide a comprehensive and implementable teach-out plan with signed teach-out agreements despite repeated requests. The Commission found the institution failed to document that it achieved and could sustain ongoing compliance with the Commission’s standards for accreditation, requirements of affiliation, policies and procedures, and applicable federal regulatory requirements, including Standard II (Ethics and Integrity), Standard III (Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience), Standard VI (Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement), Standard VII (Governance, Leadership and Administration), and Requirements of Affiliation 2, 5, 6, 11, 12, and 14.

“The immediate adverse action to withdraw accreditation from ASA College reflects the seriousness with which the Middle States Commission on Higher Education takes our commitment to quality assurance,” said MSCHE President Dr. Heather F. Perfetti. “The Commission must be provided with information it requests so that Commissioners can carry out their accrediting responsibilities and serve our constituents effectively.”

The institution is no longer required to appear before the Commission due to the immediate adverse action to withdraw accreditation. Any adverse action is subject to appeal in accordance with the Commission’s Appeals from Adverse Actions Procedures. While the institution will remain accredited until the completion of any appeal or the effective date of withdrawal or denial of the appeal, whichever is first, the institution must meet a number of conditions, including not enrolling new students or marketing to or recruiting new students, and maintaining a clear and accurate statement about its accreditation phase and accreditation status for the public on its website in accordance with the Commission’s Public Disclosures Policy and Procedures and Appeals from Adverse Actions Procedures. The institution will remain accredited only to implement the teach-out plan and teach-out agreements and may not offer instruction. If the Commission determines that the institution has violated any of the conditions listed above, the institution forfeits its appellate rights, and the Commission may revise the effective date accreditation will cease.

The Commission is requiring ASA College to complete and submit for approval a comprehensive and implementable teach-out plan with teach-out agreements that is due December 9, 2022. In accordance with Commission policy and federal regulations, the teach-out plan must provide for the equitable treatment of students to complete their education. Additionally, the institution must provide evidence of notification of the Commission’s action to the ASA College community, including all governing board members, students, faculty, staff, and others with significant roles; immediate notification to current and prospective students of the withdrawal of accreditation effective March 1, 2023; and accurate information regarding the institution’s accreditation status with MSCHE on its website and wherever accreditation is referenced on the institution’s web pages, publications, announcements, and in all other appropriate places and venues.

For more information and further details regarding the adverse action, visit the institution directory listing https://www.msche.org/institution/0837 to access ASA College’s Statement of Accreditation Status (SAS).