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:
    Manhattan School of Music
    New York, NY
  • Address:
    130 Claremont Avenue
    New York, NY 10027-4698
  • Phone:
    (212) 749-2802
  • URL:
    www.msmnyc.edu
  • Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO):
    Dr. Joyce Griggs
  • Commission Staff Liaison:
    Dr. Anne Wahl, Vice President

Accreditation Summary

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

  • Phase: Accredited
  • Status: Accreditation Reaffirmed
  • Accreditation Granted: 1956
  • Last Reaffirmation: 2018
  • Next Self-Study Evaluation: 2026-2027

Alternative Delivery Methods

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

Distance Education
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:

  • Postsecondary award (2-4 yrs) Included within the scope:
  • Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Included within the scope:
  • Post-baccalaureate Certificate Included within the scope:
  • Master's Degree or Equivalent Included within the scope:
  • Post-Master's Certificate Included within the scope:
  • Doctor's Degree- Research/Scholarship Included within the scope:

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 request. To include alternative delivery method-distance education within the institution's scope of accreditation. To require written evidence of approvals from all necessary licensing, regulatory, or other legal entities as necessary, including the New York State Education Department (NYSED). To note that the Commission may rescind this action if the requested substantive change is not implemented within one calendar year from the date of this action. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2026-2027.
  • 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 2026-2027.
  • June 21, 2018
    To reaffirm accreditation. To request that, beginning in 2019 and in conjunction with each Annual Institutional Update prior to the Mid-Point Peer Review in 2023, the institution provide further evidence of (1) the periodic assessment of the effectiveness of all institutional policies and procedures and the manner in which they are implemented (Standard II); (2) that faculty and/or other appropriate professionals are regularly and equitably reviewed and provided with opportunities, resources and support for professional growth and innovation (Standard III); (3) the development and implementation of organized and systematic assessments that evaluate the extent of student achievement (Standard V); and (4) a clearly articulated and transparent governance structure that outlines roles, responsibilities, and accountability for decision-making by each constituency (Standard VII). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2026-2027.
  • June 23, 2016
    To accept the progress report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2017-2018.
  • June 25, 2015
    To accept the monitoring report. To request a progress report, due April 1, 2016, documenting further implementation of an organized and sustainable assessment process, including direct measures, to improve institutional effectiveness, with evidence and clear linkages that assessment information is used in budgeting, planning, and the allocation of resources (Standard 7) and institutional and program-level student learning assessment results and their use for improvement, planning, resource allocation, and decision-making (Standard 14). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2017-2018.
  • November 21, 2013
    To accept the Periodic Review Report, to reaffirm accreditation, and to commend the institution for the quality of the Periodic Review Report. To request a monitoring report, due April 1, 2015, documenting the further implementation of an organized and sustainable assessment process, including direct measures, to improve institutional effectiveness, with evidence that assessment information is used in budgeting, planning, and the allocation of resources (Standard 7) and institutional and program-level student learning assessment results and their use for improvement, planning, resource allocation and decision making (Standard 14). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2017-2018.

Information about the Middle States Commission on Higher Education

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) is an institutional accreditor 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).