Accreditation Actions

The following represents the MSCHE accreditation actions taken in the last ten (10) years. For more information, see the Commission’s Accreditation Actions Policy and Procedures and the Substantive Change Policy and Procedures.

• June 23, 2022
  To acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report. To note that the institution hosted a virtual site visit in lieu of an on-site visit in accordance with the United States Department of Education (USDE) guidelines published March 17, 2020. To reaffirm accreditation. To note that a verification visit is required by USDE guidelines and will be conducted within a reasonable period of time following the virtual site visit. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2029-2030.
• March 4, 2021
  To acknowledge receipt of the self-study report. To note that the institution hosted a virtual site visit in lieu of an on-site visit in accordance with United States Department of Education (USDE) guidelines published March 17, 2020. To postpone a decision and request a supplemental information report, due September 1, 2021, documenting further evidence of (1) clearly stated educational goals at the institutional and degree/program levels, which are interrelated with one another, with relevant educational experiences, and with the institution's mission (Standard V); (2) student learning programs that are characterized by coherence and appropriate assessment of student achievement throughout its educational offerings, at both institutional and program levels (Standard V); and (3) faculty and appropriate institutional stakeholder consideration and use of assessment results to improve teaching and learning (Standard V). To request that the supplemental information report also provide further evidence of (1) the alignment of the institution's mission and goals (Standard I); (2) a campus climate that fosters respect among all constituencies (Standard II); (3) periodic assessment of the effectiveness of all institutional policies and procedures and the manner in which they are implemented (Standard II); (4) periodic assessment of the effectiveness of student support programs and experiences (Standard IV); and (5) periodic assessment of the effectiveness of planning, resource allocation, institutional renewal, and availability of resources (Standard VI). To direct a follow-up team visit following submission of the supplemental information report. To note the visit will also fulfill the verification requirements of the USDE guidelines. Upon reaffirmation, the next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2029-2030.
• April 16, 2020
  To acknowledge receipt of formal written notice from the institution in response to the Commission's request of March 9, 2020. To temporarily waive Substantive Change Policy and Procedures and allow the use of distance education to accommodate students impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) interruptions, in accordance with United States Department of Education (USDE) guidelines published March 5, 2020. Continued use of distance education beyond the limitations of USDE guidelines will require substantive change approval in accordance with Substantive Change Policy and Procedures. This flexibility is not available for clock-hour courses that lead to licensure if the licensing body will not accept distance learning courses or hours or give credit for them toward the number of hours a student must complete. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2020-2021.
• June 27, 2019
  To acknowledge receipt of the focused report. To request that the next self-study, in preparation for a visit in 2020-2021, provide further evidence of (1) the use of assessment results for the improvement of teaching and learning (Standard V), and (2) periodic assessment of the effectiveness of governance, leadership, and administration (Standard VII).
• January 10, 2018
  To note that the institution's request to conduct the self-study evaluation visit one year early has been granted. The next evaluation visit is now scheduled for 2020-2021. To remind the institution that upon reaffirmation of accreditation, the institution will return to its regular eight-year accreditation cycle with an evaluation visit in 2029-2030.
• November 16, 2017
  To accept the Periodic Review Report and to reaffirm accreditation. To commend the institution for the quality of the Periodic Review Report process. To request a focused report due March 1, 2019, further documenting (1) evidence of the use of assessment results for the improvement of teaching and learning (Standard V), and (2) evidence of periodic assessment of the Board of Governors' performance and effectiveness of its procedures (Standard VII). A small team visit may follow. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2021-2022.
• June 23, 2016
  To accept the monitoring report. The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2017.
• November 2, 2015
  To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request and to include the online Doctor of Ministry (DMin) within the scope of the institution's accreditation. To remind the institution of the request for a monitoring report, due April 1, 2016, documenting the further development and implementation of a comprehensive process for the assessment of student learning outcomes embedded in the revised curriculum, including evidence that assessment results are used to improve teaching and learning (Standard 14). The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2017.
• June 25, 2015
  To document receipt of the progress report, noting that the report provided limited institutional responses to requested information. To request a monitoring report, due April 1, 2016, documenting the further development and implementation of a comprehensive process for the assessment of student learning outcomes embedded in the revised curriculum, including evidence that assessment results are used to improve teaching and learning (Standard 14). The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2017.
• June 27, 2013
  To accept the monitoring report. To request a progress report, due April 1, 2015, documenting the development and implementation of a comprehensive process for the assessment of the student learning outcomes embedded in the revised curriculum (Standard 14). The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2017.
• June 28, 2012
  To accept the monitoring report and to note the visit by the Commission's representatives. To remove the warning because the institution is now in compliance with Standard 14 (Assessment of Student Learning) and to reaffirm accreditation. To request a monitoring report, due April 1, 2013, documenting (1) evidence of the implementation and evaluation of the Library's Assessment Program to determine if the Library's budget is adequate (Standard 3); (2) evidence of a comprehensive written plan for distance education that includes but is not limited to (a) the rationale for course offerings and scheduling and (b) estimates of the costs of the development, implementation, and support of the distance education program (Standard 13); (3) evidence that all objectives at course, program, and institutional levels are written as measurable learning outcomes from the student's perspective (Standard 14); and (4) evidence of the implementation of a process for comprehensive documenting of current assessment activities, including an overview of student learning outcomes assessments and better documentation of information received from supporting denominations and research involving the Practice of Ministry and Mission project and the Lewis Pastoral Leadership Inventory (Standard 14). The Periodic Review Report is now due June 1, 2017.
• June 23, 2011
  To note the visit by the Commission’s representative. To remind the institution that the Commission has previously warned it that its accreditation may be in jeopardy because of a lack of evidence that the institution is currently in compliance with Standard 14 (Assessment of Student Learning). To note that the institution remains accredited while on warning. To request a monitoring report due by March 1, 2012, documenting evidence that the institution has achieved and can sustain ongoing compliance with Standard 14, including: (1) an organized and sustained assessment process to evaluate student learning, and evidence that results are used to improve teaching and learning (Standard 14). To further request that the monitoring report document: (2) development of a comprehensive plan for regular and ongoing assessment of library collections, services, and the adequacy of the library budget (Standard 3); (3) development and implementation of a process to evaluate the overall performance of the Board of Governors and effectiveness of the Board's procedures (Standard 4); (4) steps taken to ensure timely publication of annual catalogs that include student grievance protocols (Standard 6); and, (5) development of a comprehensive plan for the use and evaluation of distance education including credit and non-credit offerings (Standard 13). A small team visit will follow submission of the monitoring report. The due date for the Periodic Review Report will be set when accreditation is reaffirmed.
• March 3, 2011
  To warn the institution that its accreditation may be in jeopardy because of a lack of evidence that the institution is currently in compliance with Standard 14 (Assessment of Student Learning). To note that the institution remains accredited while on warning. To request a monitoring report due by March 1, 2012, documenting evidence that the institution has achieved and can sustain ongoing compliance with Standard 14, including: (1) an organized and sustained assessment process to evaluate student learning, and evidence that results are used to improve teaching and learning (Standard 14). To further request that the monitoring report document: (2) development of a comprehensive plan for regular and ongoing assessment of library collections, services, and the adequacy of the library budget (Standard 3); (3) development and implementation of a process to evaluate the overall performance of the Board of Governors and effectiveness of the Board's procedures (Standard 4); (4) steps taken to ensure timely publication of annual catalogs that include student grievance protocols (Standard 6); and, (5) development of a comprehensive plan for the use and evaluation of distance education including credit and non-credit offerings (Standard 13). A small team visit will follow submission of the monitoring report. To direct an immediate Commission liaison guidance visit to discuss the Commission's expectations. The due date for the Periodic Review Report will be set when accreditation is reaffirmed.