Statement of Accreditation Status
Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Puerto Rico y El Caribe
- CEO: Dr. Jorge Benítez Nazario, Chancellor
- Accreditation Liaison Officer: Mrs. Esther Rodríguez Miranda
- Commission Staff Liaison: Kristy Bishop, Vice President
- Carnegie Classification: Special Focus: Graduate Studies » No research designation
- Control: Private (Non-Profit)
- Phase: Accredited
- Status: Non-Compliance Show Cause
- Accreditation Granted: February 27, 1982
- Last Reaffirmation: June 24, 2021
- Next Self-Study Evaluation: 2028-2029
- March 12, 2026
To acknowledge receipt of the show cause report, submitted on December 1, 2025, and the additional information requested September 24, 2025. To note the on-site show cause visit by Commission representatives to the main campus at Parada 8 Ave., Fernandez Juncos, San Juan, PR 00902 on January 13-14, 2026. To acknowledge receipt of the institution's intent to appear before the Commission to present its reasons why its accreditation should not be withdrawn. To note the presentation by institutional representatives on March 11, 2026. To acknowledge receipt of the request to present new information as approved by the Chair of the Commission: (1) email request submitting new information; (2) documents related to budget; (3) annual development plan; (4) Chancellor's first 30 days achievement report; (5) single audit contract; and (6) PowerPoint presentation. To require the institution to continue to show cause by August 3, 2026, to demonstrate why its accreditation should not be withdrawn because of insufficient evidence that the institution is in compliance with Standard II (Ethics and Integrity), Standard VI (Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement), and Standard VII (Governance, Leadership, and Administration). To note that the institution remains accredited while on show cause. To note further that federal regulations limit the period during which an institution may be in non-compliance, which started on June 26, 2025. To require a show cause report, due August 3, 2026, documenting evidence that the institution has achieved and can sustain ongoing compliance with Commission standards for accreditation, requirements of affiliation, policies and procedures, and applicable federal regulatory requirements. The show cause report must include evidence of (1) an institution and governing body that represents itself honestly and truthfully with the Commission, makes freely available accurate, fair, and complete information on all aspects of the institution, its operations and assurances, including fiscal and enrollment data and the results of any internal investigations, and agrees to disclose information required by the Commission to carry out its accrediting responsibilities (Standard II and Standard VII); (2) a strategic plan that is being implemented, assessed, and updated based on measurable progress ensuring that fiscal and human resources, as well as physical and technical infrastructure, are adequate to support program delivery (Standard VI); (3) documented financial resources, funding base, and plans for financial development (Standard VI); (4) a record of responsible fiscal management (Standard VI); (5) comprehensive planning for facilities, infrastructure, and technology (Standard VI); (6) a governing body that plays a basic policy-making role in financial affairs to ensure integrity and strong financial management, including but not limited to timely review of audited financial statements and other documents related to the fiscal viability of the institution (Standard VII); (7) a governing body that is informed in all its operations by principles of good practice in board governance and is consistent with its bylaws (Standard VII); (8) a governing structure that allows it to realize its stated mission and goals (Standard VII); (9) an administration possessing appropriate credentials and professional experience consistent with the mission of the organization and their functional roles (Standard VII); (10) a regular process and cycle of evaluation for the Chief Executive Officer by the governing body (Standard VII); (11) a Chief Executive Officer who has the authority and autonomy required to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, including developing and implementing institutional plans, staffing the organization, identifying and allocating resources, and directing the institution toward attaining the goals and objectives set forth in its mission (Standard VII); and (12) qualified administrators, sufficient in number, to enable the Chief Executive Officer to discharge duties effectively and to establish procedures for assessing the organization's efficiency and effectiveness (Standard VII); (Fourteenth Edition and Evidence Expectations by Standard Guidelines). The show cause report must also include a full and complete list of individuals working with the board and its committees, to include affiliations and assigned responsibilities (Standard VII). To direct the institution to immediately notify the Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Puerto Rico y el Caribe community of the status of the institution, including all governing board members, students, faculty, staff, and others with significant roles (Standard II and Public Disclosures Policy and Procedures). To direct an on-site show cause visit following submission of the report. The purpose of the on-site show cause visit is to verify the information provided in the show cause report and the institution's ongoing and sustainable compliance with Commission standards, requirements, policies and procedures, and federal compliance requirements. To direct a prompt Commission liaison guidance visit to discuss Commission expectations. To remind the institution of its obligation to make freely available to the Commission accurate, fair, and complete information on all aspects of the institution and its operations, including making institutional representatives and additional information available to the Commission representatives when requested (Standard VII and Accreditation Review Cycle and Monitoring Policy and Procedures and Follow-Up Reports and Visits Procedures). The date of the next evaluation visit will be determined upon reaffirmation of accreditation. - March 12, 2026
To acknowledge receipt of the teach-out plan and teach-out agreements, dated September 2, 2025, and November 26, 2025, requested by the Commission action of June 26, 2025. To note the teach-out plan dated September 2, 2025, was insufficient. To approve the teach-out plan and teach-out agreements dated November 26, 2025. To approve the teach-out agreements with: (1) Inter American University of Puerto Rico Metropolitan Campus, San Juan, PR; (2) Lehman College of The City University of New York, West Bronx, NY; (3) Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Gurabo Campus, Gurabo, PR; and (4) University of Puerto Rico - Río Piedras Campus, Rio Piedras, PR. To require an updated teach-out plan due August 3, 2026, providing the status of the teach-out plan and teach-out agreements. - March 12, 2026
To acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report requested by the Commission action of June 26, 2025. - March 12, 2026
To note the Commission liaison guidance visit occurred on July 29, 2025. - June 26, 2025
To acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report requested by the Commission action of November 1, 2024. To note the follow-up team visit by Commission representatives to the main campus at Parada 8 Ave. Fernandez Juncos San Juan, PR 00902 on April 22-23, 2025. To require the institution to show cause by December 1, 2025, to demonstrate why its accreditation should not be withdrawn because of insufficient evidence that the institution is in compliance with Standard VI (Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement) and Standard VII (Governance, Leadership, and Administration). To note that the institution remains accredited while on show cause. To note further that federal guidelines limit the period during which an institution may be in non-compliance, which started on June 26, 2025. To require a show cause report, due December 1, 2025, documenting evidence that the institution has achieved and can sustain ongoing compliance with Commission standards for accreditation, requirements of affiliation, policies and procedures, and applicable federal requirements. The show cause report must include evidence that the institution has: (1) a strategic plan that is being implemented, assessed, and updated based on measurable progress in ensuring that fiscal and human resources, as well as physical and technical infrastructure, are adequate to support program delivery (Standard VI); (2) documented financial resources, funding base, and plans for financial development (Standard VI); (3) a record of responsible fiscal management (Standard VI); (4) comprehensive planning for facilities, infrastructure, and technology (Standard VI); (5) a governing structure that allows it to realize its stated mission and goals (Standard VII); and (6) an administration possessing appropriate credentials and professional experience consistent with the mission of the organization and their functional roles (Standard VII) (Fourteenth Edition and Evidence Expectations by Standard Guidelines). To direct an on-site show cause visit following submission of the report. The purpose of the on-site show cause visit is to verify the information provided in the show cause report and the institution's ongoing and sustainable compliance with Commission standards for accreditation, requirements of affiliation, policies and procedures, and applicable federal regularly requirements. To require that the institution complete and submit for approval, by September 2, 2025, a comprehensive, implementable teach-out plan and agreements (Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures). In accordance with Commission policy and federal regulations, the teach-out plan must provide for the equitable treatment of students to complete their education or transfer to another institution, if the Commission were to withdraw accreditation. To note the Commission may reject the teach-out plan and require resubmission if all of the required information is not provided. To require the institution to submit a supplemental information report, due September 2, 2025, providing (1) the status of the relocation of the main campus including plans for on-site instruction (Standard II and Substantive Change Policy, Procedures and Guidelines) and (2) updated online instruction approval from the Puerto Rico Board of Postsecondary Institutions (Standard II and Substantive Change Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines). To remind the institution that future substantive change requests require Commission review and prior approval and that substantive changes affecting institutional mission, goals, programs, operations, sites, and other material issues must be disclosed in a timely and accurate fashion (Standard II and Substantive Change Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines). To direct a prompt Commission liaison guidance visit to discuss Commission expectations. To note that the institution will be invited to present before the Commission when it meets to consider its show cause report. To remind the institution of its obligation to make freely available to the Commission accurate, fair, and complete information on all aspects of the institution and its operations, including making additional information available to the Commission representatives when requested (Standard VII and Accreditation Review Cycle and Monitoring Policy and Procedures). The date of the next evaluation will be determined upon reaffirmation of accreditation. - November 1, 2024
To reject the supplemental information report requested by the Commission action of November 20, 2023, because it provided limited responses to requested information and did not present evidence and analysis in a manner conducive to Commission review. To request a supplemental information report, due January 10, 2025, providing further evidence of (1) fiscal and human resources as well as physical and technical infrastructure adequate to support its operations wherever and however programs are delivered (Standard VI) and (2) comprehensive planning for facilities, infrastructure, and technology that includes consideration of sustainability and deferred maintenance and is linked to the institution's strategic and financial planning processes (Standard VI) (Fourteenth Edition and Evidence Expectations by Standard Guidelines). To remind the institution that it must communicate with the Commission in English, both orally and in writing, including all accreditation materials to support the multi-level accreditation decision-making process (Requirement of Affiliation 4). To direct a follow-up team visit following submission of the supplemental information report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2028-2029. - September 27, 2024
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report requested by the Commission action of April 26, 2024, providing information on key data indicators (financial health) as reported on the 2023 Annual Institutional Update in accordance with federal regulation 34 CFR § 602.16(b). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2028-2029. - August 22, 2024
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the relocation of the main campus from 52 Cristo St., San Juan, PR 00901 to Parada 8, Ave. Fernandez Juncos, San Juan, PR 00902 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 by email to [email protected]. 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 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, including the United States Department of Education (USDE) by email to [email protected]. To note the Commission may rescind this action if instruction does not commence within one calendar year from the date of this action. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2028-2029. - April 26, 2024
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to request a supplemental information report, due May 31, 2024, providing information on key data indicators (financial health) as reported on the 2023 Annual Institutional Update in accordance with federal regulation 34 CFR § 602.16(b). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2028-2029. - November 20, 2023
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to acknowledge receipt of the institution's complex substantive change request. To acknowledge receipt of the institution's request to withdraw the complex substantive change request dated November 3, 2023, before the Commission has taken action. To withdraw the institution's request for a change in legal status, form of control, or ownership. To request a supplemental information report, due January 5, 2024, providing information on the impact of the withdrawal of the complex substantive change request on the institution. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2028-2029. - Distance Education
Approved to offer programs by this delivery method - Correspondence Education
Not approved for this delivery method - Master's Degree or Equivalent Included within the scope
- Doctor's Degree- Research/Scholarship Included within the scope
- Main Campus
CENTRO DE ESTUDIOS AVANZADOS DE PUERTO RICO Y EL CARIBE
PARADA 8 AVE. FERNANDEZ JUNCOS
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO 00902
Opened: 12/30/2024
Approved Credential Levels
The following represents credential levels included in the scope of the institution’s accreditation:
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