Statement of Accreditation Status

Saint Francis University

  • CEO: Fr. Malachi Van Tassell, President
  • Accreditation Liaison Officer: Ms. Briana Keith
  • Commission Staff Liaison: Kristy Bishop, Vice President
  • Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs » Four-year, small, highly residential
  • Control: Private (Non-Profit)
  • Former Name(s): Saint Francis College (1/1/2001)
  • Phase: Accredited
  • Status: Accreditation Reaffirmed
  • Accreditation Granted: 1939
  • Last Reaffirmation: 2016
  • Next Self-Study Evaluation: 2024-2025

Contact Information

117 Evergreen Drive P.O. Box 600
Loretto, PA 15940

(814) 472-3001

www.francis.edu

  • June 26, 2024
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the additional location at 220 Fox Run Road, Johnstown, PA 15904 within the institution's scope of accreditation. To require written evidence of review, including but not limited to approval of or a determination that the entity has declined to review the transaction, from all outstanding required licensing, regulatory, or other legal entities as necessary by email to [email protected]. To require immediate notification when instruction commences at the additional location by email to [email protected]. 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 2024-2025.
  • July 12, 2023
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close the additional location at Altoona, Altoona, PA 16601 that ceased operations effective April 23, 2019. To remove the additional location from the institution's scope of accreditation. 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. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2024-2025.
  • July 12, 2023
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the reclassification of the additional location at 5700 6th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602 to an other instructional site within the institution's scope of accreditation. To require immediate notification when the change is implemented by email to [email protected]. 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.
  • July 12, 2023
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the reclassification of the additional location at 100 CTC Drive, Johnstown, PA 15904 to an other instructional site within the institution's scope of accreditation. To require immediate notification when the change is implemented by email to [email protected]. 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.
  • July 12, 2023
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the reclassification of the other instructional site at 1425 11th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16601 to an additional location within the institution's scope of accreditation. To require immediate notification when the change is implemented by email to [email protected]. 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 2024-2025.
  • July 12, 2023
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close the additional location at 445 School House Road Suite E-212, Johnstown, PA 15904 that ceased operations effective August 20, 2017. To remove the additional location from the institution's scope of accreditation. 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.
  • July 12, 2023
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close the additional location at 1620 River Road, Clearfield, PA 16830 that ceased operations effective March 13, 2020. To remove the additional location from the institution's scope of accreditation. 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.
  • July 12, 2023
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close the additional location at Johnstown, Johnstown, PA 15901 that ceased operations effective April 23, 2019. To remove the additional location from the institution's scope of accreditation. 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.
  • July 12, 2023
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close the additional location at 706 N. Shaver Street, Mt. Union, PA 17066 that ceased operations effective August 20, 2017. To remove the additional location from the institution's scope of accreditation. 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.
  • July 12, 2023
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close the additional location at 1466 Beaver Valley Road, Flinton, PA 16640 that ceased operations effective May 3, 2017. To remove the additional location from the institution's scope of accreditation. 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.
  • October 28, 2021
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close the additional location at 480 Waupelani Drive, State College, PA 16801 that has ceased operations. To remove the additional location from the institution's scope of accreditation. To note that the Commission reserves the right to rescindthis actionif 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.
  • October 28, 2021
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close the additional location at 199 Front Street, Saxton, PA 16678 that has ceased operations. To remove the additional location from the institution's scope of accreditation. To note that the Commission reserves the right to rescindthis actionif 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 2024-2025.
  • October 28, 2021
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close the additional location at 813 35th Street, Northern Cambria, PA 15714 that has ceased operations. To remove the additional location from the institution's scope of accreditation. To note that the Commission reserves the right to rescindthis actionif 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.
  • October 28, 2021
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the first Doctor's - Research/Scholarship, Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational Leadership and Innovation within the institution's scope of accreditation. 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 2024-2025.
  • October 31, 2016
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close its additional locations at (1) Bellwood Antis School District, 400 Martin Street, Bellwood, PA 16617; and (2) Juniata Valley High School, 775 Juniata Valley Pike, Alexandria, PA 16611. The Commission requires notification within thirty days of the closure of these additional locations. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2024-2025.
  • June 23, 2016
    To reaffirm accreditation. The date for the next accreditation review will be determined by the Commission when it revises the accreditation cycle.
  • June 29, 2015
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To approve the relocation of the additional location from the Joseph and Elizabeth Shaw Public Library, 1 South Front Street, Clearfield, PA 16830 to the Clearfield Career & Technology Center, 1620 River Road, Clearfield, PA 16830 and to include the new additional location 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 and the closure of the old 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. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2015-2016.
  • April 27, 2015
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To approve the relocation of the additional location from Bishop McCort High School, 25 Osborne Street, Johnstown, PA 15905 to IU08 Richland Office, 445 School House Road, Suite E-212, Johnstown, PA 15904 and to include the new additional location within the scope of the institution's accreditation. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2015-2016.
  • March 2, 2015
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the additional locations at (1) Glendale High School, 1466 Beaver Valley Road, Flinton, PA 16640 and (2) Mt. Union High School, 706 N. Shaver Street, Mt. Union, PA 17066 within the scope of the institution's accreditation. The Commission requires written notification within thirty days of the commencement of operations at these additional locations. In the event that operations at the additional locations do not commence within one calendar year from the approval of this action, approval will lapse.
  • March 2, 2015
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To approve the reclassification of the instructional sites at (1) the Concurrent Technologies Corporation, 100 CTC Drive, Johnstown, PA 15904 and (2) the Sheetz Corporate Complex, 5700 6th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602 as additional locations and to include the locations within the scope of the institution's accreditation. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2015-2016.
  • March 2, 2015
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close its additional locations at (1) Dixon University Center, North Center Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110; (2) Somerset Area High School, 645 South Columbia Avenue, Somerset, PA 15501; and (3) Bedford County Technical Center, North Montgomery Street, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648. The Commission requires notification within thirty days of the closure of these additional locations.
  • November 21, 2013
    To accept the progress report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2015-2016.
  • March 7, 2013
    To accept the monitoring report. To request a progress report, due October 1, 2013, documenting further progress in the implementation of its recently developed institutional assessment plan and delineating how specific results have been used to improve processes and programs (Standard 7) and to improve teaching and learning (Standard 14). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2015-2016.
  • August 27, 2012
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request; to note the institution's decision to close the following additional locations: (1) Mt. Union High School, 706 N. Shaver Street, Mt. Union, PA 17066; (2) Hollidaysburg Area High School, North Montgomery Street, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648; and (3) East Side Elementary School, 220 Messenger Street, Johnstown, PA 15902; and to remove the additional locations from the scope of the institution's accreditation. To remind the institution of the monitoring report, due November 1, 2012, documenting evidence of (1) the development of appropriate criteria for the selection and evaluation of trustees and the president, and the completion and implementation of a more formal process for the evaluation of the president (Standard 4); (2) development and implementation of a comprehensive, organized, and sustained process for the assessment of institutional effectiveness and the use of assessment results to improve processes and programs (Standard 7); and (3) development and implementation of an organized and sustained assessment process that utilizes results to improve teaching and learning (Standard 14). A small team visit may follow submission of the monitoring report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2015-2016.
  • August 27, 2012
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To re-classify the following instructional sites as additional locations: (1) Northern Cambria High School, 813 35th Street, Northern Cambria, PA 15714; and (2) Juniata Valley High School, 7775 Juniata Valley Pike, P.O. Box 318, Alexandria, PA 16611. To include the additional location at Bishop McCort Catholic High School, 25 Osbourne Street, Johnstown, PA 15905 within the scope of the institution's accreditation. The Commission requires written notification within thirty days of the commencement of operations at the additional locations. In the event that operations at the additional locations do not commence within one calendar year from the approval of this action, approval will lapse.
  • August 27, 2012
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request and to include the online Master of Health Science degree program within the scope of the institution's accreditation.
  • June 28, 2012
    To note the visit by the Commission's representative. To remind the institution of the monitoring report, due November 1, 2012, documenting evidence of (1) the development of appropriate criteria for the selection and evaluation of trustees and the president, and the completion and implementation of a more formal process for the evaluation of the president (Standard 4); (2) development and implementation of a comprehensive, organized, and sustained process for the assessment of institutional effectiveness and the use of assessment results to improve processes and programs (Standard 7); and (3) development and implementation of an organized and sustained assessment process that utilizes results to improve teaching and learning (Standard 14). A small team visit may follow submission of the monitoring report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2015-2016.
  • November 17, 2011
    To accept the Periodic Review Report and to reaffirm accreditation. To request a monitoring report, due November 1, 2012, documenting evidence of (1) the development of appropriate criteria for the selection and evaluation of trustees and the president, and the completion and implementation of a more formal process for the evaluation of the president (Standard 4); (2) development and implementation of a comprehensive, organized, and sustained process for the assessment of institutional effectiveness and the use of assessment results to improve processes and programs (Standard 7); and (3) development and implementation of an organized and sustained assessment process that utilizes results to improve teaching and learning (Standard 14). To direct a prompt Commission liaison guidance visit to discuss the Commission's expectations. A small team visit may follow submission of the monitoring report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2015-2016.
  • November 1, 2011
    To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request and to include the additional location at Somerset Area School District, 645 S. Columbia Avenue, Somerset, PA 15501 within the scope of the institution's accreditation. The Commission requires written notification within thirty days of the commencement of operations at the additional location. In the event that operations do not commence within one calendar year from the approval of this action, approval will lapse. To note that the June 1, 2011 Periodic Review Report has been received and will be acted on at the Commission's November meeting.
  • 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) Included within the scope to offer ONE program
  • Postsecondary award (1-2 years) Included within the scope
  • Associate's Degree or Equivalent 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
  • Doctor's Degree - Professional Practice Included within the scope to offer ONE program: Doctor of Physical Therapy
  • Doctor's Degree- Research/Scholarship Included within the scope to offer ONE program: Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
  • Main Campus
    Saint Francis University
    117 Evergreen Drive
    Loretto, PA 15940
  • Additional Location
    Curry Innovation Center
    1425 11th Avenue
    Altoona, PA 16601
    Opened: 01/15/2024
  • Additional Location
    SFU Aviation Education Center
    220 Fox Run Road
    Johnstown, PA 15904
    Opened: 08/26/2024
  • Other Instructional Site
    Altoona Area High School
    1415 Sixth Avenue
    Altoona, PA 16602
  • Other Instructional Site
    Bellefonte Area High School
    830 East Bishop Street
    Bellefonte, PA 16823
  • Other Instructional Site
    Bellwood-Antis High School
    400 Martin Street
    Bellwood, PA 16617
  • Other Instructional Site
    Bishop Carroll High School
    728 Ben Franklin Highway
    Ebensburg, PA 15931
  • Other Instructional Site
    Bishop Guilfoyle High School
    2400 Pleasant Valley Boulevard
    Altoona, PA 16602
  • Other Instructional Site
    Bishop McCort Catholic High School
    25 Osborne Street
    Johnstown, PA 15905
  • Other Instructional Site
    Blacklick Valley School District
    555 Birch Street
    Nanty Glo, PA 15943
  • Other Instructional Site
    Blair County Chamber of Commerce
    3900 Industrial Park Drive
    Altoona, PA 16602
  • Other Instructional Site
    California Area High School
    40 Trojan Way
    Coal Center, PA 15423
  • Other Instructional Site
    Cambria Heights High School
    426 Glendale Lake Road
    Patton, PA 16668
  • Other Instructional Site
    Central Cambria High School
    208 Schoolhouse Road
    Ebensburg, PA 15931
  • Other Instructional Site
    Central High School
    718 Central High Road
    Martinsburg, PA 16662
  • Other Instructional Site
    Chartiers Houston High School
    2050 West Pike Street
    Houston, PA 15342
  • Other Instructional Site
    Chestnut Ridge School District
    3281 Valley Road
    Fishertown, PA 15539
  • Other Instructional Site
    Clarion Area High School
    219 Liberty Street
    Clarion, PA 16214
  • Other Instructional Site
    Claysburg Kimmel High School
    531 Bedford Street
    Claysburg, PA 16625
  • Other Instructional Site
    Commodore Perry High School
    3002 Perry Highway
    Hadley, PA 16130
  • Other Instructional Site
    Concurrent Technologies Corporation
    100 CTC Drive
    Johnstown, PA 15904
  • Other Instructional Site
    Conemaugh Township High School
    300 W. Campus Avenue
    Davidsville, PA 15928
  • Other Instructional Site
    Conemaugh Valley High School
    1342 William Penn Avenue
    Johnstown, PA 15906
  • Other Instructional Site
    Dover Area High School
    101 Edgeway Road
    Dover, PA 17315
  • Other Instructional Site
    DuBois Central Catholic High School
    210 Central Christian Road
    Dubois, PA 15801
  • Other Instructional Site
    Everett Area High School
    427 East South Street
    Everett, PA 15537
  • Other Instructional Site
    Ferndale Area High School
    100 Dartmouth Avenue
    Johnstown, PA 15905
  • Other Instructional Site
    Forest Hills High School
    P.O. Box 325, 489 Locust Street
    Sidman, PA 15955
  • Other Instructional Site
    Frazier High School
    142 Constitution Street
    Perryopolis, PA 15473
  • Other Instructional Site
    Greater Latrobe High School
    1816 Lincoln Avenue
    Latrobe, PA 15650
  • Other Instructional Site
    Greensburg Central Catholic High School
    911 Amory Drive
    Greensburg, PA 15601
  • Other Instructional Site
    Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
    326 Market Street
    Harrisburg, PA 17101
  • Other Instructional Site
    Hollidaysburg Area High School
    1510 N. Montgomery Street
    Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
  • Other Instructional Site
    Juniata Valley High School
    7775 Juniata Valley Pike
    Alexandria, PA 16611
  • Other Instructional Site
    Lake Raystown Field Station
    14322 Field Station Lane
    Entrekin, PA 16638
  • Other Instructional Site
    Laurel Highlands High School
    300 Bailey Avenue
    Uniontown, PA 15401
  • Other Instructional Site
    Ligonier Valley High School
    40 Springer Road
    Ligonier, PA 15658
  • Other Instructional Site
    Mercer Area High School
    545 W. Butler Street
    Mercer, PA 16137
  • Other Instructional Site
    Moshannon Valley High School
    4934 Green Acre Road
    Houtzdale, PA 16651
  • Other Instructional Site
    North Star High School
    400 Ohio Street
    Boswell, PA 15531
  • Other Instructional Site
    Northern Bedford High School
    152 NBC Drive
    Loysburg, PA 16659
  • Other Instructional Site
    Northern Cambria High School
    601 St. Joseph Street
    Northern Cambria, PA 15714
  • Other Instructional Site
    Nulton Aviation Services, Inc.
    469 Airport Road
    Johnstown, PA 15904
  • Other Instructional Site
    Penn Cambria High School
    401 Linden Avenue
    Cresson, PA 16630
  • Other Instructional Site
    Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
    101 Community College Way
    Johnstown, PA 15904
  • Other Instructional Site
    Pennsylvania State University (The)
    201 Old Main Building
    University Park, PA 16802
  • Other Instructional Site
    Philipsburg Osceoa Area High School
    200 Short Street
    Philipsburg, PA 16866
  • Other Instructional Site
    Purchase Line High School
    16559 Rt. 296 Highway East
    Commodore, PA 15729
  • Other Instructional Site
    Richland Area High School
    1 Academic Drive
    Johnstown, PA 15904
  • Other Instructional Site
    River Valley High School
    100 School Ln
    Blairsville, PA 15717
  • Other Instructional Site
    Rockwood Area Jr/Sr High School
    437 Somerset Avenue
    Rockwood, PA 15557
  • Other Instructional Site
    Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy
    901 Boalsburg Pike
    Boalsburg, PA 16827
  • Other Instructional Site
    Saint Marys Area High School
    977 South St. Mary's Road
    Saint Marys, PA 15857
  • Other Instructional Site
    Serra Catholic High School
    200 Hershey Drive
    McKeesport, PA 15132
  • Other Instructional Site
    Shanksville Stoneycreek High School
    1325 Cornerstone Road
    Friedens, PA 15541
  • Other Instructional Site
    Sheetz Corporate Complex
    5700 6th Avenue
    Altoona, PA 16602
  • Other Instructional Site
    Somerset Area High School
    645 South Columbia Avenue
    Somerset, PA 15501
  • Other Instructional Site
    South Hills School of Business and Technology
    508 58th Street
    Altoona, PA 16602
  • Other Instructional Site
    South Hills School of Business and Technology
    480 Waupelani Drive
    State College, PA 16801
  • Other Instructional Site
    State College Area High School
    131 West Nittany Avenue
    State College, PA 16801
  • Other Instructional Site
    Tussey Mountain High School
    199 Front Street
    Saxton, PA 16678
  • Other Instructional Site
    Tyrone Area High School
    1001 Clay Avenue
    Tyrone, PA 16686
  • Other Instructional Site
    United High School
    10780 Rte. 56, Highway East
    Armagh, PA 15920
  • Other Instructional Site
    Washington High School
    201 Allison Avenue
    Washington, PA 15301
  • Other Instructional Site
    Westmont Hilltop High School
    200 Fair Oaks Drive
    Johnstown, PA 15905
  • Other Instructional Site
    Windber Area School District
    2301 Graham Avenue
    Windber, PA 15963

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.