MSCHE Withdraws Accreditation from The King’s College (NY)

May 26, 2023

On May 26, 2023, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) took immediate adverse action to withdraw accreditation from The King’s College. The final date that accreditation will cease is to be determined based on the supplemental information report due June 2, 2023.

The Commission explained the rationale in the adverse action which focused on the institution’s failure to demonstrate the capacity to make required improvements, that it can sustain itself in the short or long term, and the institution being in imminent danger of closing. 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 VI (Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement), Requirement of Affiliation 11, and Accreditation Actions Policy and Procedures.

The institution will no longer be scheduled to appear before the Commission to show cause 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, the institution must meet a number of conditions, including 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 Commission acted to approve the updated teach-out plan and approve teach-out agreements with the following institutions accredited by MSCHE:

Houghton University, Houghton, NY

Cairn University, Langhorne Manor, PA

Messiah University, Mechanicsburg, PA

St. Joseph’s University, New York, New York, NY

Providence Christian College, Pasadena, CA (Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission)

In accordance with Commission policy and federal regulations, the teach-out plan must provide for the equitable treatment of students to complete their education.

Houghton University, Houghton, NY has been designated as the final repository of all The King’s College student records, and students may obtain academic records at Houghton University, One Willard Ave. P.O. Box 128, Houghton, NY 14744.

In addition, the institution must provide evidence of notification of the Commission’s action to The King’s College community, including all governing board members, students, faculty, staff, and others with significant roles; immediate notification to current and prospective students of the immediate withdrawal of accreditation; 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 to access The King’s College’s Statement of Accreditation Status (SAS).