Become MSCHE Accredited

Aligned with MSCHE Membership’s mission to advance growth and retention of membership through exceptional customer service and proactive engagement, we are dedicated to: 

• Providing clear, timely communication throughout the process 

• Supporting institutions in understanding expectations and requirements 

• Encouraging innovation, improvement, and mission-driven growth 

Your success strengthens the higher education community we serve.

Vision for Partnership

In alignment with our Membership vision to be the recognized leading accreditor supporting institutional innovation, our approach emphasizes:

• Transparency in expectations and decision-making 

• Guidance grounded in best practices and mutual respect 

• Engagement that fosters collaboration and institutional success 

Together, we advance a diverse, mission-driven community dedicated to continuous improvement in higher education. 

Attaining accreditation status is a multi-step process. Your institution must demonstrate and sustain compliance with: 

• The Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation 

• Applicable MSCHE policies and procedures 

• Relevant federal regulatory requirements 

Related fees are detailed in the Dues and Fees Policy and Procedures.

For a full description of the process, see the Application and Candidacy Review Cycle and Monitoring Policy and Procedures.

The Four Stages 

Your institution will experience four key stages in our Application and Candidacy Review Cycle: 

1. Pre-Application (4 – 6 months)
   Institutions assess initial eligibility and readiness. 
2. Candidate Readiness (4 – 9 months)
   Institutions prepare for review and compile evidence to demonstrate compliance. 
3. Membership as Candidate (roughly 24 months)
   Candidate institutions continue toward accreditation status. 
4. Initial Accreditation and Reaffirmation of Accreditation (ongoing)
   Institutions that successfully meet all standards achieve accreditation and enter the Eight-Year Accreditation Review Cycle and Monitoring period. 

Each stage is designed to ensure your institution is supported and prepared to meet our standards and expectations. 

We offer an expedited pathway for institutions that already hold accreditation from another U.S. Department of Education–recognized accreditor and are seeking to add or change their primary accreditation to MSCHE.

This process includes only two stages: 

1. Pre-Application (4 – 6 months) 
2. Initial Accreditation and Reaffirmation of Accreditation (ongoing)

Institutions that successfully complete this pathway will then enter the Initial Four-Year Accreditation Review Cycle and Monitoring phase. The structured cycle is designed to ensure institutions sustain compliance, demonstrate effectiveness, and engage in continuous improvement. 

This process reflects MSCHE’s commitment to proactive engagement, exceptional service, and continuous improvement across its membership.

For more detailed information, refer to Addition or Change of Primary Accreditor to MSCHE Procedures.

Ready to begin? Fill out our Inquiry Contact Form now to meet our next deadline.

We accept pre-applications and applications on the following dates: 

• February 1 

• April 1 

• June 1 

• August 1 

• October 1

Have Questions? Email [email protected].

All official policies and procedures are available for reference: 

• Accreditation Actions Policy and Procedures 

• Accreditation Review Cycle and Monitoring Policy and Procedures 

• Addition or Change of Primary Accreditor to MSCHE Procedures 

• Application and Candidacy Review Cycle and Monitoring Policy and Procedures 

• Candidate Readiness Assessment Procedures 

• Candidate Assessment Team Chair’s Confidential Brief 

• Candidate Assessment Team Report 

• Pre-Application Determination of Eligibility to Apply Procedures 

• Pre-Applicant Minimum Requirements for Eligibility Guidelines 

• Pre-Applicant Evaluator Report 

• Dues and Fees Policy and Procedures 

• Teach-Out Plans and Agreement(s) Policy and Procedures, and Form 

Ready to begin?

Inquiry Contact Form

Have Questions? Email [email protected].

Ryan Hartnett  began at MSCHE in March 2024 as a Vice President for Institutional Field Relations. In this role, he served as a liaison to member institutions, providing advice to institutions and assisting them with accreditation activities. Ryan supported Commission representatives engaged in the work of accreditation through the Commission’s multi-level decision-making process.  

As Vice President for Membership, Ryan leads membership initiatives, helping inquiry, applicant, and candidate institutions navigate the process of initial accreditation. Ryan will be working with you and your colleagues every step of the way! 

Prior to joining MSCHE, Ryan served as Provost at Villa Maria College of Buffalo (NY), leading as both Chief Academic Officer (CAO) and Student Affairs Officer (SAO). In this role, he also served as the Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO), leading the institution through the self-study process and other accreditation activities. Prior to serving at Villa Maria College, Ryan served as Dean of Arts, Sciences and Professional Studies at Trocaire College (NY). Ryan brings experience as a peer evaluator and team chair. Ryan earned his Ph.D. in Philosophy from The State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo, concentrating in the areas of philosophy of science, metaphysics, and bioethics. He also holds a B.A. in philosophy and psychology from The State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo.

Krysta Edwards-Owens  joined the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) as Administrative Coordinator for Membership in January 2026. Krysta provides direct support and drives critical activities for the Commission’s membership, including onboarding new institutions as well as supporting existing member institutions.  

Before joining the Commission, Krysta served as Administrative Assistant to the Provost at Villa Maria College of Buffalo (NY) and as the Administrative Services Coordinator for the Office of the Dean of Students at The State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo. Krysta is an MBA candidate at the University at Buffalo, having previously earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Villa Maria College of Buffalo. 

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