Clarks Summit University

Phase: Formerly Accredited
Status: Unapproved Institutional Closure
Accreditation Granted: February 26, 1984
Accreditation Ceased: September 13, 2024

On August 1, 2024, the Commission acted to note the intention of the institution to cease instruction at all locations on August 9, 2024, and to close while on show cause and without prior approval. Accreditation for the institution and all of its locations ceased effective September 13, 2024. As of September 14, 2024, Clarks Summit University is no longer accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education www.msche.org. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education has approved teach-out agreements with (1) Cairn University, Langhorne, PA; (2) Davis College, NY; (3) Lancaster Bible College, Lancaster, PA; and (4) Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA. Students can obtain historical records and transcripts from Cairn University, 200 Manor Avenue Langhorne, PA  19047.

Accreditation Actions

August 1, 2024
To acknowledge receipt of the institution's notifications on July 1, 2024, and on July 12, 2024, regarding the status of the institution and verifying closure. To note the institution's intention to cease instruction at all locations on August 9, 2024, and to close while on show cause and without prior approval. To note that the institution failed to provide at least six months' notice to the Commission and to constituents of closure which the Commission deems an unplanned and disorderly closure (Substantive Change Policy and Procedures). To note that accreditation will cease on September 13, 2024. To note the institution will maintain accreditation for the sole purpose of awarding earned academic credentials, executing any appropriate course substitutions, and processing course grades. As of September 14, 2024, Clarks Summit University will no longer be accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. To note that the show cause report required by the Commission action of June 26, 2024, is no longer required and that an on-site show cause visit will not be conducted because the institution will close. To note that the teach-out plan and signed teach-out agreements requested by the Commission action of June 26, 2024, and due August 1, 2024, will be under review. To remind the institution of its obligation to inform the Commission immediately about any and all significant developments that may impact the institution's closure (Standard VII).
August 1, 2024
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to note that the teach-out plan required by the Commission action of May 20, 2024, was replaced by the teach-out plan and signed teach-out agreements required by the Commission action of June 26, 2024.
August 1, 2024
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to note that the Commission liaison guidance visit directed by the Commission action of June 26, 2024, for non-compliance show cause, will not be conducted due to the institution's closure.
June 26, 2024
To rescind the Commission's action of November 16, 2023, to place the institution on probation because of new information regarding the institution's financial and operational status received June 17, 2024. In lieu of probation, to require the institution to show cause, by August 1, 2024, 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 III (Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience), Standard IV (Support of the Student Experience), Standard V (Educational Effectiveness Assessment), Standard VI (Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement), Standard VII (Leadership, Governance, and Administration), and Requirement of Affiliation 2. To note that the institution remains accredited while on show cause. To note further that federal regulations limit the period during which the institution may be in non-compliance, which started on November 16, 2023. To require a show cause report, due August 1, 2024, 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 (1) that the institution is operational, with students actively enrolled in its degree programs (Requirement of Affiliation 2); (2) that the institution honors its contracts and commitments and adheres to its policies, including timely payroll obligations (Standard II); (3) of a core of faculty (full-or part-time) and/or other appropriate professionals with sufficient responsibility to the institution to assure the continuity and coherence of the institution's educational programs (Standard III); (4) that the institution commits to student retention, persistence, completion, and success through a coherent and effective support system, sustained by qualified professionals, which enhances the quality of the learning environment, contributes to the educational experience, and fosters student success (Standard IV); (5) of assessment of student achievement throughout its educational offerings, at both institutional and program levels, with evidence faculty and appropriate institutional stakeholders have considered and used assessment results to improve teaching and learning (Standard V); (6) of clearly stated, aligned, and coherent institutional and unit objectives, with evidence of the implementation of a systematic, organized, and sustained assessment process demonstrating that institutional and unit stakeholders have considered and used assessment results in planning, budgeting, and the improvement of institutional and unit effectiveness (Standard VI); (7) of documented financial resources, funding base, and plans for financial development (Standard VI); (8) of adequate fiscal and human resources, including physical and technical infrastructure, to support operations (Standard VI); and (9) of qualified administrators, sufficient in number, to enable the Chief Executive Officer to discharge his/her duties effectively (Standard VII) (Fourteenth Edition and Evidence Expectations by Standard Guidelines). To request that the show cause report also include further evidence of (1) the periodic assessment of the effectiveness of all institutional policies and procedures and the manner in which they are implemented (Standard II) and (2) compliance with its program responsibilities under existing federal Title IV (Standard VI). To require that the institution complete and submit for approval, by August 1, 2024, an updated comprehensive, implementable teach-out plan and signed teach-out agreements with appropriate teach-out partner institutions, including any documentation supporting the 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 direct an on-site show cause visit following submission of the report and the teach-out plan and teach-out agreements. 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 regulatory requirements. To direct a prompt Commission liaison visit to discuss Commission expectations. To note the institution will be invited to present before the Commission when it meets to consider the institution's show cause report. The date of the next evaluation will be determined upon reaffirmation of accreditation.
May 20, 2024
To reject the teach-out plan because the institution failed to provide sufficient information and the quality and substance of the report were insufficient to permit Commission review. To require resubmission of a comprehensive and implementable teach-out plan by June 14, 2024, documenting evidence of (1) a comprehensive and implementable plan/ timeline, including critical milestones; (2) documentation outlining State and federal requirements for the type of teach-out plan; and (3) signed copies of teach-out agreements, including any documentation supporting the agreements (Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures). Upon reaffirmation of accreditation, the next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2030-2031.
May 20, 2024
To acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report requested by the Commission action of March 18, 2024. To request that the monitoring report, due August 1, 2024, also provide further evidence of compliance with its program responsibilities under existing federal Title IV (Standard VI).
March 18, 2024
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to request a supplemental information report, due April 18, 2024, that provides additional information on Standard VI (Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement). Upon reaffirmation of accreditation, the next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2030-2031.
March 14, 2024
To note the Commission liaison guidance visit occurred on January 26, 2023. The date of the next evaluation will be determined upon reaffirmation of accreditation.
November 16, 2023
To acknowledge receipt of the self-study report. To note the institution missed the deadline for submission of the self-study report and evidence. To remind the institution of its obligation to submit accreditation materials within established deadlines and in accordance with Commission policy and procedures. To note the on-site evaluation visit by the Commission's representatives to the main campus at 538 Venard Road, Clarks Summit, PA 18411 on August 6-9, 2023. To place the institution on probation and note that the institution's accreditation is in jeopardy because of insufficient evidence that the institution is currently in compliance with Standard V (Educational Effectiveness Assessment), Standard VI (Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement), and former Requirements of Affiliation 8, 9, 10 and 11. To note that the institution remains accredited while on probation. To note further that federal regulations limit the period during which an institution may be in non-compliance, which starts on November 16, 2023. To request a monitoring report, due August 1, 2024, demonstrating evidence that the institution has achieved and can sustain ongoing compliance with Standard V (Educational Effectiveness Assessment), Standard VI (Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement), and former Requirements of Affiliation 8, 9, 10, and 11, including but not limited to (1) student learning programs that are characterized by coherence and appropriate assessment of student achievement throughout its educational offerings, at both institutional and program levels, with evidence faculty and appropriate institutional stakeholders have considered and used assessment results to improve teaching and learning (Standard V and former Requirement of Affiliation 8, 9, and 10); (2) clearly stated, aligned, and coherent institutional and unit objectives, with evidence of the implementation of a systematic, organized, and sustained assessment process demonstrating that institutional and unit stakeholders have considered and used assessment results in planning, budgeting, and the improvement of institutional and unit effectiveness (Standard VI and former Requirements of Affiliation 8 and 10); (3) documented financial resources, funding base, and plans for financial development (Standard VI and former Requirement of Affiliation 11); (4) adequate fiscal and human resources, including physical and technical infrastructure, to support operations (Standard VI); and (5) a record of responsible fiscal management, including preparing a multi-year budget and an annual independent audit confirming financial controls, with evidence of corrective measures taken to address any material findings cited in the audit or an accompanying management letter (Standard VI and former Requirement of Affiliation 11) (Fourteenth Edition and Evidence Expectations by Standard Guidelines).  To request that the monitoring report also include further evidence of (1) the periodic assessment of the effectiveness of all institutional policies and procedures and the manner in which they are implemented (Standard II) and (2) faculty and/or other professionals that are regularly and equitably reviewed and provided with opportunities, resources, and support for professional growth and innovation (Standard III). To require that the institution complete and submit for approval, by March 1, 2024, a comprehensive, implementable teach-out plan and signed teach-out agreements with appropriate teach-out partner institutions (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 and require resubmission if all of the required information is not provided. To direct a follow-up team visit following submission of the monitoring report. To direct a prompt Commission liaison guidance visit to discuss the Commission's expectations. To note that Recommendation Responses in conjunction with the Annual Institutional Update are no longer required. Upon reaffirmation of accreditation, the next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2030-2031.
July 10, 2023
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To note the institution's decision to close the additional location at 705 Graham Road, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221 that ceased operations effective May 1, 2007. 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 2022-2023.