Statement of Accreditation Status

    The Statement of Accreditation Status (SAS) is the official statement of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) about each institution’s current accreditation status and scope of accreditation. The SAS also provides a brief history of the actions taken by the Commission.

  • Institution:
    Princeton Theological Seminary
    Princeton, NJ
  • Address:
    P. O. Box 821 64 Mercer Street
    Princeton, NJ 08542-0803
  • Phone:
    (609) 921-8300
  • URL:
    www.ptsem.edu
  • Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO):
    Dr. Shawn Oliver
  • Commission Staff Liaison:
    Dr. Robert Bonfiglio, Vice President

Accreditation Summary

For more information, see the Commission’s Accreditation Actions Policy and Procedures.

  • Phase: Accredited
  • Status: Accreditation Reaffirmed
  • Accreditation Granted: 1968
  • Last Reaffirmation: 2020
  • Next Self-Study Evaluation: 2027-2028
  • Next Mid-Point Peer Review: 2024

Alternative Delivery Methods

The following represents approved alternative delivery methods included in the scope of the institution’s accreditation:

Distance Education
Not approved to offer programs by this delivery method

Correspondence Education
Not approved for this delivery method

Credential Levels

Approved Credential Levels

The following represents credential levels included in the scope of the institution’s accreditation:

  • Master's Degree or Equivalent
  • Post-Master's Certificate
  • Doctor's Degree- Research/Scholarship

Locations

The following represents branch campuses, additional locations, and other instructional sites that are included within the scope of the institution’s accreditation:

Location Type

Definitions: For definitions of branch campus, additional locations, or other instructional sites, see the Commission’s Substantive Change Policy and Procedures.

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.

  • January 4, 2021
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change and request for expedited review of distance education as a temporary alternative delivery method. To allow the use of distance education through May 30, 2021 to accommodate students impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) interruptions, in accordance with United States Department of Education (USDE) guidelines published August 21, 2020. Continued use of distance education beyond May 30, 2021 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 2027-2028.
  • 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 2027-2028.
  • March 5, 2020
    To acknowledge receipt of the self-study report. To note the visit by the Commission’s representatives. To reaffirm accreditation. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2027-2028.
  • November 19, 2015
    To accept the Periodic Review Report, to reaffirm accreditation, and to commend the institution for the quality of the Periodic Review Report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2019-2020.
  • June 28, 2012
    To accept the monitoring report. The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2015.

Information about the Middle States Commission on Higher Education

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) is one of seven institutional accrediting organizations in the United States and is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). MSCHE accreditation applies to an institution as a whole rather than the specific programs within an institution. MSCHE does not approve or accredit individual programs. The MSCHE accreditation review cycle is continuous and accreditation does not expire. Each institution is reevaluated and monitored on a regular and consistent basis in accordance with the institution’s assigned accreditation review cycle and Commission policy and procedures. An institution maintains its accreditation unless it is voluntarily surrendered or withdrawn by the Commission for cause, after the institution has been afforded due process. The institution’s current accreditation phase and accreditation status are displayed on the institution’s listing in the Institution Directory and in the Statement of Accreditation Status (SAS).