Statement of Accreditation Status
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
- Phase: Formerly Accredited
- Status: Merged/Consolidated/Acquired
- Accreditation Granted: January 1, 1948
- Accreditation Ceased: June 30, 2022
On March 10, 2022, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education included the integration of Clarion University of Pennsylvania with Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and California University of Pennsylvania pursuant to the legislative authorization of Act 188 as amended (including Act 50 of 2020) within the scope of accreditation effective July 1, 2022. As part of that request, the Commission approved the teach-out plan and signed teach-out agreement with California University of Pennsylvania. To note that California University of Pennsylvania is the surviving institution and changed its name to Pennsylvania Western University effective July 1, 2022. Students may obtain historical records and transcripts at Pennsylvania Western University, California, PA. On June 30, 2022, separate degree granting authority from Pennsylvania Department of Education ceases and Clarion University of Pennsylvania is no longer accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education . For more information, please see the Commission's Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures.
- June 23, 2022
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 the United States Department of Education (USDE) guidelines published March 17, 2020. To postpone a decision. To note the Commission action of March 10, 2022. To note that Clarion University of Pennsylvania's accreditation will cease as of the effective date of the integration with Pennsylvania Western University (formerly California University of Pennsylvania), anticipated to be July 1, 2022. To remind Pennsylvania Western University of its obligation to address the team findings from the evaluation visit of the Clarion University of Pennsylvania. To request that the Pennsylvania Western University supplemental information report due October 1, 2022, also include further evidence of (1) the development and implementation of organized and systematic assessment of non-academic units (Standard VI) and (2) an annual independent audit confirming financial viability and evidence of follow up on any cited concerns (Standard VI). To direct Pennsylvania Western University to conduct a new comprehensive evaluation in accordance with Commission policy and procedures and federal regulation 34 CFR § 602.22(h) in anticipation of an evaluation visit in 2024-2025. To note the date of the evaluation is one year earlier than the date indicated in the March 10, 2022 action. - March 10, 2022
To acknowledge receipt of the complex substantive change request. To include the change in legal status, form of control, or ownership within the institution's scope of accreditation. To note the complex substantive change request includes the modification of the fundamental structure of the institution pursuant to the legislative authorization of Act 188 as amended (including Act 50 of 2020), that integrates Clarion University of Pennsylvania into Pennsylvania Western University effective July 1, 2022, the anticipated date of the transaction. To note that Clarion University of Pennsylvania's accreditation will cease as of the effective date of the integration, anticipated to be July 1, 2022. To further note that degree granting authority from the Pennsylvania Department of Education will cease as of July 1, 2022. To require verification from the related entity and the institution of the date of the closing of the transaction within five calendar days of the transaction. To require submission of any written evidence of approvals from all necessary licensing, regulatory, or other legal entities as necessary, including the United States Department of Education. To note that the Commission reserves the right to rescind this action if any developments reveal additional information that might have affected the Commission's decision and/or the requested substantive change is not implemented within one calendar year from the date of this action. To note the action for California University of Pennsylvania on March 10, 2022. - March 10, 2022
To acknowledge receipt of the teach-out plan. To approve the teach out plan. To approve the teach-out agreement with California University of Pennsylvania which will be renamed Pennsylvania Western University on July 1, 2022. To note that Clarion University of Pennsylvania's accreditation will cease as of the effective date of the integration, anticipated to be July 1, 2022. To note the transfer of Clarion University of Pennsylvania student records, programs, and services to Pennsylvania Western University. To note that Pennsylvania Western University, California, PA has been designated as the repository of all Clarion University of Pennsylvania student records. To require written notification when student records have been transferred to Pennsylvania Western University. To note that degree granting authority from the Pennsylvania Department of Education will cease as of July 1, 2022. To note the action for California University of Pennsylvania on March 10, 2022. - April 30, 2020
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the second Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Internal Audit Forensic Accounting within the institution's scope of accreditation. 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 2021-2022. - January 4, 2019
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the additional location at Somerset Educational Center, Founders Hall, 6022 Glades Run Pike, Somerset, PA 15501within the scope of the institution's accreditation. The Commission requires notification within thirty days of the commencement of operations at this additional location. Operations at the additional location must commence within one calendar year from the date of this action. To note that documentation of approval from Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing is required. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2021-2022. - June 21, 2018
To accept the focused report. To note that a focused team visit will not be conducted. To request that, in addition to the information requested in the Commission's action of November 16, 2017, beginning in 2019 and in conjunction with each Annual Institutional Update prior to the Self-Study Evaluation visit in 2021-2022, the institution also provide further evidence of improved financial viability and sustainability (Standard VI). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2021-2022. - April 18, 2018
To accept the Periodic Review Report and to reaffirm accreditation. To request a focused report, due March 1, 2018, providing (1) further evidence that the institution's resources are sufficient to fulfill its mission and goals and (2) evidence of an independent audit confirming financial viability (Standard VI). A focused team visit may follow submission of the report. To further request that, beginning in 2019 and in conjunction with each Annual Institutional Update prior to the Self-Study Evaluation visit in 2021-2022, the institution provide further evidence of the use of assessment results from non-academic units for planning and resource allocation (Standard VI). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2021-2022. - March 5, 2018
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the first and second Postsecondary Award/Certificate/Diploma (<1 year) (1. Certificate in Opioid Treatment, and 2. Certificate in Concussion Management) within the scope of the institution's accreditation. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2021-2022. - November 16, 2017
To accept the Periodic Review Report and to reaffirm accreditation. To request a focused report, due March 1, 2018, providing (1) further evidence that the institution's resources are sufficient to fulfill its mission and goals and (2) evidence of an independent audit confirming financial viability (Standard VI). A focused team visit may follow submission of the report. To further request that, beginning in 2019 and in conjunction with each Annual Institutional Update, the institution provide further evidence of the use of assessment results from non-academic units for planning and resource allocation (Standard VI). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2021-2022. - May 1, 2017
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the contractual arrangements with (1) Global Powerline Academy; (2) Ravotti Air, LLC; and (3) Susquehanna Health System (UPMC Susquehanna) within the scope of the institution's accreditation. To remind the institution of the Commission's request of June 26, 2014, regarding the Periodic Review Report due June 1, 2017. - June 27, 2016
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the contractual arrangement with Great Lakes Institute of Technology and with Guthrie Health System Robert Packer Hospital within the scope of the institution's accreditation. To remind the institution of the Commission's request of June 26, 2014, regarding the Periodic Review Report due June 1, 2017. - June 26, 2014
To accept the monitoring report and to note that a visit will not be conducted. To request that the Periodic Review Report, due June 1, 2017, document further implementation of a documented assessment process for general education (Standard 12). - January 27, 2014
To acknowledge receipt of state approval and to include the Doctor of Nursing Practice within the scope of the institution's accreditation. - November 21, 2013
To accept the progress report. To remind the institution of the monitoring report, due April 1, 2014, documenting further implementation of a comprehensive, organized, and sustained process for the assessment of student learning, including general education (Standards 12 and 14). A visit may follow submission of the monitoring report. The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2017. - October 28, 2013
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request and to include the Doctor of Nursing Practice within the scope of the institution's accreditation effective upon receipt of State approval. To note that the progress report, due October 1, 2013 has been received and will be acted on by the Commission at its meeting in November. To remind the institution of the monitoring report, due April 1, 2014, documenting further implementation of a comprehensive, organized, and sustained process for the assessment of student learning, including general education (Standards 12 and 14). A visit may follow submission of the monitoring report. The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2017. - July 1, 2013
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the additional location at Butler County Community College, College Drive, Butler, PA 16003-1203 within the scope of the institution's accreditation. The Commission requires written notification within thirty days of the commencement of operations at this additional location. In the event that operations at the additional location do not commence within one calendar year from the approval of this action, approval will lapse. To remind the institution of a progress report, due October 1, 2013, documenting further implementation of a comprehensive, organized, and sustained process for the assessment of institutional effectiveness (Standard 7). To further remind the institution of the monitoring report, due April 1, 2014, documenting further implementation of a comprehensive, organized, and sustained process for the assessment of student learning, including general education (Standards 12 and 14). A visit may follow submission of the monitoring report. The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2017. - June 28, 2012
To reaffirm accreditation. To request a progress report, due October 1, 2013, documenting further implementation of a comprehensive, organized, and sustained process for the assessment of institutional effectiveness (Standard 7). To further request a monitoring report, due April 1, 2014, documenting further implementation of a comprehensive, organized, and sustained process for the assessment of student learning, including general education (Standards 12 and 14). A visit may follow submission of the monitoring report. The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2017. - November 18, 2010
To accept the monitoring report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2011-2012.
