Lock Haven 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 Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania with Mansfield University of Pennsylvania and Bloomsburg 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 Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. To note that Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is the surviving institution and changed its name to Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania effective July 1, 2022. Students may obtain historical records and transcripts at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg, PA. On June 30, 2022, separate degree granting authority from Pennsylvania Department of Education ceases and Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania is no longer be 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 teach-out plan. To approve the teach out plan. To approve the teach-out agreement with Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania which will be renamed Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania on July 1, 2022. To note that Lock Haven 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 Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania student records, programs, and services to Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. To note that Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg, PA has been designated as the repository of all Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania student records. To require written notification when student records have been transferred to Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania. To note that degree granting authority from the Pennsylvania Department of Education will cease as of July 1, 2022. To note the action for Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania on March 10, 2022.
March 10, 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 reaffirm accreditation. To request a supplemental information report, due March 1, 2023, documenting further evidence of (1) the improvement of key indicators of student success, including retention and graduation rates (Standard IV) and (2) financial planning and budget processes that are aligned with mission, goals and objectives and are evidence-based (Standard VI). 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 2028-2029.
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 Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania into Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania effective July 1, 2022, the anticipated date of the transaction. To note that Lock Haven 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 Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania on March 10, 2022.
February 17, 2022
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the relocation of the additional location from 2986 North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110-1201 to One HACC Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17110 within the institution's scope of accreditation. To require immediate notification when instruction commences at the new location and of the date that instruction ceases at the former location. To direct a substantive change site visit as soon as practicable but no later than six months after the commencement of instruction at the additional location. To note the Commission may rescind this action if instruction does not commence within one calendar year from the date of this action.
February 17, 2022
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the reclassification of the branch campus at 201 University Drive, Clearfield, PA 16830 to an additional location within the institution's scope of accreditation. To require immediate notification when the change is implemented. 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. To note the evaluation visit has occurred and will be acted upon by the Commission at the March meeting.
October 29, 2020
To delay the On-Site Evaluation visit scheduled for Spring 2021 due to extraordinary circumstances related to coronavirus (COVID-19) interruptions and to continue accreditation. To note the institution remains accredited during a delay granted by the Commission. The Evaluation visit will be scheduled in accordance with Commission policy and procedures.
January 3, 2020
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the second Postsecondary Certificate (<1 year) in Social Media Marketing within the institution's scope of accreditation. To note 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 2020-2021.
January 3, 2020
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the first Postsecondary Certificate (<1 year)in Curriculum and Assessment for Early Care and Education Certificate Program within the institution's scope of accreditation. To note the Commission may rescind this action if the requested substantive change is not implemented within one calendar year from the date of this action
June 21, 2018
To accept the progress report. The next evaluation is scheduled for 2020-2021.
November 17, 2016
To accept the Periodic Review Report and to reaffirm accreditation. To request a progress report, due April 1, 2018, providing evidence of the development and implementation of a comprehensive institutional strategic plan that links long-range planning to decision-making and budgeting processes (Standard 2). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2020- 2021.