Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

Phase: Formerly Accredited
Status: Merged/Consolidated/Acquired
Accreditation Granted: January 1, 1949
Accreditation Ceased: June 30, 2022

On March 10, 2022, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education included the integration of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania with Clarion 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. To note that 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 Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is no longer accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education www.msche.org. For more information, please see the Commission's Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures.

Accreditation Actions

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 Edinboro University of Pennsylvania into Pennsylvania Western University effective July 1, 2022, the anticipated date of the transaction. To note that Edinboro 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 Edinboro 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 Edinboro 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 Edinboro 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.
March 4, 2021
To note that the Mid-Point Peer Review has been conducted. To request that, beginning in 2021 and in conjunction with each Annual Institutional Update prior to the self-study visit in 2023-2024, the institution provide further evidence of (1) demonstrated strategies to measure and assess the adequacy of institutional resources to support mission and goals (Standard VI); (2) enrollment management planning linked to budget development (Standard VI); (3) improved financial viability and sustainability (Standard VI); and (4) strategies to address enrollment decline (Standard VI).
October 29, 2020
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close the additional location at 2951 West 38th Street, Erie, PA 16506. To require immediate notification when instruction ceases at the additional location. To note that the Commission reserves the right to rescind approval of this substantive change 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. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2023-2024.
June 22, 2017
To accept the progress report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2023-2024.
June 27, 2016
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the first Post-secondary Award/Cert/Diploma (< 1 year) in Quality Assurance Technician within the scope of the institution's accreditation. The date for the next accreditation review will be determined by the Commission when it revises the accreditation cycle.
November 2, 2015
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close its additional location at Butler County Community College, Lawrence Crossing, Butler, 2849 West State Street, New Castle, PA 16101. The Commission requires notification within thirty days of the closure of this additional location. To remind the institution of the request for a progress report, due April 1, 2017 documenting (1) enrollment and fiscal data for 2014-2015 and 2015-2016; and (2) multi-year financial projections aligned with the strategic plan (Standard 3). The Periodic Review Report is now due June 1, 2020.
June 25, 2015
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 3 (Institutional Resources) and to reaffirm accreditation. To request a progress report, due April 1, 2017 documenting (1) enrollment and fiscal data for 2014-2015 and 2015-2016; and (2) multi-year financial projections aligned with the strategic plan (Standard 3). The Periodic Review Report is now due June 1, 2020.
March 2, 2015
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request and to include the contractual agreement with Pennsylvania Electric Company (Penelec) within the scope of the institution's accreditation. To remind the institution that it has been warned that its accreditation may be in jeopardy because of insufficient evidence that the institution is in compliance with Standard 3 (Institutional Resources). To note that the institution remains accredited while on warning. To also note that the monitoring report, due March 1, 2015 has been received and will be acted on by the Commission at its June meeting.
November 20, 2014
To note the visit by the Commission's representative. To remind the institution that it has been warned that its accreditation may be in jeopardy because of insufficient evidence that the institution is in compliance with Standard 3 (Institutional Resources). To note that the institution remains accredited while on warning. To request a monitoring report, due March 1, 2015, documenting that the institution has achieved and can sustain compliance with Standard 3, including but not limited to, evidence of (1) development and implementation of strategies to measure and assess the sufficiency of institutional resources to support the institution's mission and goals; (2) development of a financial plan to address the FY15 projected budget deficit; (3) review of the enrollment management plan to assess optimal enrollment; and (4) steps taken to improve the institution's long-term financial viability and sustainability. In addition, to request that the monitoring report also document (1) further development and implementation of a comprehensive planning process that links long-range planning to decision making and budgeting processes (Standard 2); and (2) further development and implementation of a sustained assessment process to evaluate and improve the total range of programs and services and the achievement of institutional mission, goals, and plans (Standard 7). A small team visit will follow submission of the monitoring report. The date for the Periodic Review Report will be set when accreditation is reaffirmed.