MSCHE Withdraws Accreditation from Alliance University

June 26, 2023

On June 22, 2023, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) took action to withdraw accreditation from Alliance University. Accreditation will cease on December 31, 2023.

The Commission explained the rationale in the adverse action, which appears in the Notification of Adverse Action letter on the institution’s Statement of Accreditation (SAS). 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 and former Requirement of Affiliation 11, Standard VI, former Requirement of Affiliation 11, Related Entities Policy and Procedures, and Standard VI and former Requirement of Affiliation 11.

An 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 an 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 acknowledged receipt of Alliance University’s teach-out plan and approved teach-out agreements with the following MSCHE institutions:

Borough of Manhattan Community College of the City University of New York, New York, NY

Eastern University, St. Davids, PA

Fordham University, Bronx, NY

Helene Fuld College of Nursing, New York, NY

Houghton University, Houghton, NY

Messiah University, Mechanicsburg, PA

Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, NY

New Brunswick Theological Seminary, New Brunswick, NJ

Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester, NY

Pillar College, Newark, NJ

Roberts Wesleyan University, Rochester, NY

The Commission approved teach-out agreements with the following institutions that hold accreditation with another accreditor recognized by the United States Secretary of Education:

Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY (Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges)

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Hamilton, MA (Accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools)

Kairos University, Sioux Falls, SD (Accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools)

A teach-out plan with the following institution is currently under review by the Commission:

Seminario Evangelico de Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR

In accordance with Commission policy and federal regulations, the teach-out plan provides for the equitable treatment of students to complete their education when accreditation is withdrawn. Houghton University, Houghton, NY has been designated as the final repository of all Alliance University student records, and students may obtain academic records at Houghton University, One Willard Ave. P.O. Box 128, Houghton, NY 14744. The Commission is requiring Alliance University to complete and submit for approval an updated teach-out plan that is also due August 15, 2023.

In addition, the institution must provide evidence of notification of the Commission’s action to the Alliance University 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 Alliance University SAS. An Alliance University Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page is currently being developed and will be available at msche.org.