Pennsylvania State University, The

CEO: Dr. Eric Barron, President
Accreditation Liaison Officer: Dr. Lance Kennedy-Phillips
Commission Staff Liaison: Dr. Sean McKitrick, Vice President
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity » Four-year, large, primarily residential
Control: Public
Phase: Accredited
Status: Accreditation Reaffirmed
Accreditation Granted: 1921
Last Reaffirmation: 2015
Next Self-Study Evaluation: 2023-2024
Next Mid-Point Peer Review: 2020

Contact Information

201 Old Main Building
University Park, PA 16802

(814) 865-4700

www.psu.edu

The following represents the MSCHE accreditation actions taken in the last ten (10) years.
January 4, 2021
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the reclassification of the branch campus at the Milton S. Hershey Med. Center, PO Box 850, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033 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 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.
November 19, 2020
To acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report. To request a supplemental information report due January 4, 2021, providing further evidence of the institution’s Title IX compliance, including (1) documented grievance policies and procedures for all constituencies (Standard II); (2) compliance with all applicable federal, state, and Commission policies and regulations (Standard II; Requirement of Affiliation 5); and (3) the periodic assessment of the effectiveness of all institutional policies and procedures and the manner in which they are implemented (Standard II). To direct a follow-up team visit following submission of the supplemental information report. To direct a prompt Commission liaison guidance visit to discuss the Commission’s expectations. To remind the institution of its obligation to inform the Commission immediately about any and all significant developments relevant to this action including the institution’s obligation to inform the Commission on the status of any investigation(s) conducted by the institution by state, federal, or other government agencies, related to the action of May 14, 2020 (Requirement of Affiliation 14). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2023-2024.
August 27, 2020
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the reclassification of the branch campus at 150 South College Street, Carlisle, PA 17013 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 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 25, 2020
To acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report requested February 4, 2020. To remind the institution of its obligation to inform the Commission immediately about any and all significant developments relevant to this action (Requirement of Affiliation 14). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2023-2024.
May 14, 2020
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to request a supplemental information report, due October 1, 2020 addressing recent developments at the institution which may have implications for current and future compliance with Standard II: Ethics and Integrity; Standard IV: Support of the Student Experience; and Requirement of Affiliation 5. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2023-2024.
February 4, 2020
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to request a supplemental information report, due March 2, 2020, addressing recent developments at the institution which may have implications for current and future compliance with Standard II: Ethics and Integrity and Standard IV: Support of the Student Experience.
June 21, 2018
To accept the supplemental information report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2023-2024.
April 30, 2018
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the reclassification of the other instructional site at (1) Penn State at the Navy Yard, 4960 S. 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19112; and (2) Penn State at the Navy Yard,1101 Kitty Hawk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19112 as additional locations. The Commission requires written notification within thirty days of the commencement of operations at these additional locations. Operations at the additional locations must commence within one calendar year from the date of this action. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2023-2024.
January 26, 2018
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to request a supplemental information report, due February 16, 2018, addressing recent developments at the institution which may have implications for current and future compliance with Standard II (Ethics and Integrity) and Standard IV (Support of the Student Experience).
June 22, 2017
To accept the monitoring report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2023-2024.
June 23, 2016
To accept the supplemental information report addressing the impact of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's budget impasse on the institution's compliance with the Requirements of Affiliation and accreditation standards. The date for the next accreditation review will be determined by the Commission when it revises the accreditation cycle.
June 23, 2016
To accept the supplemental information report addressing the institution's voluntary withdrawal of program accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The date for the next accreditation review will be determined by the Commission when it revises the accreditation cycle.
March 15, 2016
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to request a supplemental information report, due April 10, 2016, addressing the impact of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's budget impasse on the institution's compliance with the Requirements of Affiliation and accreditation standards, specifically Standard 3 (Institutional Resources).
January 15, 2016
To request a supplemental information report, due February 12, 2016, addressing the institution's voluntary withdrawal of program accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
June 25, 2015
To reaffirm accreditation. To request a monitoring report, due April 1, 2017, documenting (1) further implementation of the periodic assessment of the effectiveness of institutional leadership and governance (Standard 4); (2) further implementation of the periodic assessment of the effectiveness of administrative structures and services (Standard 5); (3) review of the enrollment management plan for recruitment, retention, marketing, and advertising, particularly with respect to the enrollment of under-represented students, consistent with the institution's priorities and values (Standard 8); (4) further implementation of the assessment of general education outcomes within the institution's overall plan for assessing student learning, and evidence that such assessment results are utilized for curricular improvement (Standards 12 and 14); and (5) further evidence of articulated student knowledge, skills, and competency levels within existing certificate programs (Standard 13). The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2020.
March 6, 2014
To accept the monitoring report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2014-2015.
November 15, 2012
To accept the monitoring report, to note the visit by the Commission's representatives, to remove the warning, and to reaffirm accreditation. To request a monitoring report, due November 1, 2013, documenting (1) the impact on the University budget and the identification of sources of funding to cover the requirements of (a) the report of the U.S. Department of Education regarding the University's compliance with the Clery Act and associated penalties; (b) updated estimates of the projected costs and liabilities associated with related litigation and the implementation of the Freeh Report recommendations and the NCAA Consent Decree requirements; and (c) the recommendations that are articulated in the report of the external monitor called for by Recommendation 8.3 of the Freeh Report (Standard 3); and (2) developments associated with the revision of the Bylaws of the Board of Trustees to accommodate (a) the expanded involvement of faculty, staff, and students on Board committees and (b) the dual reporting accountability to both the Board and the President of key positions, including that of the General Counsel and the Directors of Internal Audit and Compliance (Standard 4). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2014-2015.
August 6, 2012
To warn the institution that its accreditation is in jeopardy based on information contained in the institutionally commissioned Report of the Special Investigative Counsel (Freeh, Sporkin & Sullivan, LLP, July 12, 2012) and the Binding Consent Decree Imposed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and Accepted by the Pennsylvania State University (July 23, 2013) and insufficient evidence that the institution is currently in compliance with the Requirements of Affiliation 5 (compliance with all applicable government policies, regulations, and requirements) and 9 (institution’s governing body responsibility for the quality and integrity of the institution, for ensuring that the institution’s mission is being carried out, and for making freely available to the Commission accurate, fair, and complete information on all aspects of the institution and its operations) and with Standard 4 (Leadership and Governance) and Standard 6 (Integrity). To note that the institution remains accredited while on warning. To request a monitoring report due by September 30, 2012 documenting steps that have been taken and are planned to ensure the institution’s full compliance with Requirements of Affiliation 5 and 9 as well as Accreditation Standards 4 and 6. In addition, to request that the monitoring report also address Accreditation Standard 3 (Institutional Resources) with regard to the institution’s capacity and plans for addressing financial obligations that will or may result from the investigation and related settlements, etc. A small team visit will follow submission of the monitoring report. To remind the institution that the Commission must continue to be informed of any further significant related developments, including the provision of copies of any and all relevant external reports. The due date for the next evaluation visit will be established when accreditation is reaffirmed.
June 28, 2012
To accept the progress report. To remind the institution that the Commission must continue to be informed of any further developments that may result in changes in mission, programs, personnel, and/or budget arising from the institution's investigation or that may result in a change of status with external oversight bodies, such as the NCAA, and to request that the institution provide to the Commission copies of all relevant reports from its investigation or to its external oversight bodies. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2014-2015.
March 1, 2012
To accept the Commission-requested information report, to remind the institution that the Commission must continue to be informed of any further developments that may result in changes in mission, programs, personnel and/or budget arising from the institution’s investigation or that may result in a change of status with external oversight bodies, such as the NCAA, and to request that the institution provide to the Commission copies of all relevant reports from its investigation or to its external oversight bodies. To further remind the institution of the progress report due by April 1, 2012 documenting evidence of further progress in: (1) the establishment of learning goals at the program level in all programs; and (2) the use of appropriate assessment of the attainment of learning goals at the program level, including use of direct measures of the assessment of student learning and evidence that assessment results are used to improve teaching and learning (Standard 14). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2014-2015.

Distance Education
Approved to offer programs by this delivery method
Correspondence Education
Not approved for this delivery method

Approved Credential Levels

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

Postsecondary award (< 1 year)
Postsecondary award (1-2 yrs)
Associate's Degree or Equivalent
Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent
Post-baccalaureate Certificate
Master's Degree or Equivalent
Doctor's Degree - Professional Practice
Doctor's Degree- Research/Scholarship

Additional Location
Dickinson Law
150 South College Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Opened: 08/31/2020
Additional Location
Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies
30 E. Swedesford Road
Malvern, PA 19355-1488
Additional Location
Penn State Abington
1600 Woodland Road
Abington, PA 19001
Additional Location
Penn State Altoona
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
Additional Location
Penn State at the Navy Yard
4960 S. 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19112
Additional Location
Penn State at the Navy Yard
1101 Kitty Hawk Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19112
Opened: 04/30/2018
Additional Location
Penn State Beaver
100 University Drive
Monaca, PA 15061
Additional Location
Penn State Berks
PO Box 7009 Tulpehocken Road
Reading, PA 19610
Additional Location
Penn State Brandywine
25 Yearsley Mill Road
Media, PA 19063
Additional Location
Penn State DuBois
1 College Place
DuBois, PA 15801
Additional Location
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
4701 College Drive
Erie, PA 16563
Additional Location
Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus
2201 University Drive
Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
Additional Location
Penn State Greater Allegheny
4000 University Drive
McKeesport, PA 15132
Additional Location
Penn State Harrisburg
777 West Harrisburg Pike
Middletown, PA 17057
Additional Location
Penn State Hazleton
76 University Drive
Hazleton, PA 18202
Additional Location
Penn State Lehigh Valley
2809 Saucon Valley Road
Center Valley, PA 18034
Additional Location
Penn State Mont Alto
1 Campus Drive
Mont Alto, PA 17237
Additional Location
Penn State New Kensington
3550 Seventh Street Road
New Kensington, PA 15068
Additional Location
Penn State Schuylkill
200 University Drive
Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
Additional Location
Penn State Scranton
120 Ridge View Drive
Dunmore, PA 18512
Additional Location
Penn State Shenango
147 Shenango Avenue
Sharon, PA 16146
Additional Location
Penn State Wilkes-Barre
Old Route 115 PO Box PSU
Lehman, PA 18627
Additional Location
Penn State York
1031 Edgecomb Avenue
York, PA 17403-3326
Other Instructional Site
Aria Health Systems
10800 Knights Road
Philadelphia, PA 19114
Other Instructional Site
ARIA-SON
3 Neshaminy Interplex
Trevose, PA 19053
Other Instructional Site
Bryn Mawr
1773 600 North Ithan Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Other Instructional Site
Carlisle High School
23 West Penn Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Other Instructional Site
Chester
1 University PL
Chester, PA 19013
Other Instructional Site
Chubb Center
800 Ridge Pike
Lafayette Hill, PA 19444
Other Instructional Site
Cranberry Township (RLA)
850 Cranberry Woods Drive Suite 2236
Cranberry Township, PA 16066
Other Instructional Site
Gettysburg
147 Gettys Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Other Instructional Site
Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center
1500 4th Avenue
Altoona, PA 16602
Other Instructional Site
Hanover
300 Highland Avenue
Hanover, PA 17331
Other Instructional Site
Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences
40 Azalea Road
Drums, PA 18222
Other Instructional Site
Hazleton Area High School
1601 W 23rd St
Hazelton, PA 18202
Other Instructional Site
Hershey Medical Center
500 University Drive
Hershey, PA 17033
Other Instructional Site
James Buchanan High School
4773 Fort Loudon Road
Mercersburg, PA 17236
Other Instructional Site
JLG Industries
1 JLG Drive
McConnellsburg, PA 17233
Other Instructional Site
Kraft
50 New Commerce Blvd
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18762
Other Instructional Site
Malvern
30 E. Swedesford Road
Malvern, PA 19355
Other Instructional Site
Monongahela Valley Hospital
1163 Country Club Road, 4th floor
Monongahela, PA 15063
Other Instructional Site
Mount Nittany Medical Center
1850 East Park Avenue
State College, PA 16803
Other Instructional Site
Penn State Center - Engaging Pittsburg
1435 Bedford Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Other Instructional Site
Sallie Mae
220 Lasley Avenue
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18706
Other Instructional Site
Shady Grove
1565 Buchanan Drive
Shady Grove, PA 17256
Other Instructional Site
Shaver's Creek
3400 Discovery Road
Petersburg, PA 16669
Other Instructional Site
Shippensburg (JLG)
560 Walnut Bottom Road
Shippensburg, PA 17257
Other Instructional Site
St. Vincent Health Center
232 W. 25th St.
Erie, PA 16544
Other Instructional Site
The Penn State Center at Overlook Park
445 Hanover Avenue
Allentown, PA 18109
Other Instructional Site
Towanda
1 Elizabeth St.
Towanda, PA 18848
Other Instructional Site
Uniontown Hospital
500 West Berkeley Street Education Center
Uniontown, PA 15401
Other Instructional Site
West Chester
700 S. High Street
West Chester, PA 19383
Other Instructional Site
Westmoreland Community College
145 Pavilion Lane
Youngwood, PA 15697
Other Instructional Site
Wilkes-Barre
24 E. Northampton Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
Other Instructional Site
Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center
1111 East End Boulevard
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Other Instructional Site
Williamsport
1020 Commerce Park Drive Water Tower Square Complex
Williamsport, PA 17701

The following are links to sites that are not maintained by the MSCHE. These are provided as additional external resources about each institution that the MSCHE accredits.