University of Valley Forge

Phase: Formerly Accredited
Status: Voluntarily Surrendered Unplanned Institutional Closure
Candidacy Granted: January 1, 1999
Accreditation Granted: June 26, 2002
Accreditation Ceased: September 11, 2026

On August 4, 2026, the University of Valley Forge (UVF) notified the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) of a voluntary surrender of accreditation due to unplanned closure. The institution announced that academic instruction will cease on August 26, 2026. As of September 12, 2026, University of Valley Forge will no longer be 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 the following institutions: (1) Messiah University, Mechanicsburg, PA; (2) Eastern University, St. David's, PA; and (3) Southeastern University, Lakeland, FL. Students can obtain academic records from Southeastern University, 1000 Longfellow Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33801. For more information, please refer to the University of Valley Forge FAQ.

Accreditation Actions

September 4, 2026
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to note the Commission liaison guidance visit occurred on July 24, 2026. To note that accreditation will cease on September 11, 2026. As of September 12, 2026, University of Valley Forge will no longer be accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
August 27, 2026
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to acknowledge receipt of the updated teach-out plan requested by the Commission action of August 19, 2026. To note the Commission action of August 11, 2026, approving the teach-out plan is for the unplanned closure of the main campus at 1401 Charlestown Road, Phoenixville, PA 19460. To note that Southeastern University, Lakeland, FL, has been designated as the repository of all University of Valley Forge student records. To note that students may obtain academic records at Southeastern University, 1000 Longfellow Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33801. To note that accreditation will cease on September 11, 2026. As of September 12, 2026, University of Valley Forge will no longer be accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. 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 1, formerly Standard VII). To remind the institution of Commission expectations to meet federal and state obligations (Standard 2, formerly Standard II).
August 19, 2026
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to note that the institution's accreditation will cease on September 11, 2026. As of September 12, 2026, University of Valley Forge will no longer be accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. To direct the institution to implement the teach-out plan. 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. 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 1, formerly Standard VII).
August 19, 2026
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to acknowledge receipt of the updated teach-out plan requested by the Commission action of August 11, 2026. To approve the teach-out agreements with (1) Eastern University, St. David's, PA and (2) Southeastern University, Lakeland, FL. To require an updated, comprehensive, and implementable teach-out plan with signed teach-out agreements, due August 25, 2026, providing evidence of (1) an executed agreement for the permanent disposition of student records so that students and alumni will be able to obtain accurate and complete transcripts in the future (Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures); (2) a finalized agreement for the arrangements of employee and other organizational records (Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures); (3) documentation of financial and human resources necessary to implement the teach-out plan including, but not limited to, financial resources to meet staffing and payroll obligations (Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures); (4) the status of any and all payments, deposits, and refunds for students (Standard 2, Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures); and (5) documentation that communications regarding student records has occurred and that transcripts have been issued to all students (Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures). To remind the institution of its obligation to be responsive to Commission requests and to submit accreditation materials within established deadlines. To remind the institution and its governing body of its obligation to inform the Commission immediately about any and all significant developments relevant to this action and to make freely available to the Commission accurate, fair, and complete information on all aspects of the institution and its operations (Standard 1, formerly Standard VII). To direct the institution to implement the teach-out plan. To again direct the institution to execute an agreement with a custodian or repository for student academic records and transcripts, including evidence of financial payment for services if necessary. To direct the immediate release of any and all refunds owed to students.
August 11, 2026
To note the decision of the University of Valley Forge to cease academic instruction and close while on show cause. To note that the show cause report required by the Commission action of June 25, 2026, 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 requirement to appear before the Commission to show cause why its accreditation should not be withdrawn is no longer required. To note the submission of a teach-out plan with teach-out agreements due September 1, 2026, is now due August 14, 2026.
August 11, 2026
To acknowledge receipt of the teach-out plan. To approve the teach-out plan and the teach-out agreement with Messiah University, Mechanicsburg, PA. To postpone a decision on the following teach-out agreements because information was insufficient, and the Commission needs to verify information: (1) Eastern University, St. David's, PA and (2) Southeastern University, Lakeland, FL. To remind the institution of its obligation to submit signed teach-out agreements as they become available and to facilitate the transfer of students in a timely manner. To require an updated, comprehensive, and implementable teach-out plan with signed teach-out agreements, due August 14, 2026 providing evidence of (1) signed copies of any updated teach-out agreements, including any documentation supporting the agreements (Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures); (2) documentation of financial and human resources necessary to implement the teach-out plan including, but not limited to, financial resources to meet staffing and payroll obligations (Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures); (3) copies of documentation and appropriate advisement and support services specific to the needs of all students, including but not limited to those with special considerations such as student athletes, international students, and veterans (Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures); (4) documentation that communications regarding student records has occurred and that transcripts have been issued to all students (Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures); (5) an executed agreement for the permanent disposition of student records so that students and alumni will be able to obtain accurate and complete transcripts in the future (Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures); (6) a finalized agreement for the arrangements of employee and other organizational records (Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures); (7) the status of any and all payments, deposits and refunds for students (Standard 2, Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures); and (8) updated and ongoing communications regarding the status of the institution to the University of Valley Forge community, including all governing board members, students, faculty, and staff, and others with significant roles (Standard 2, Communication in the Accreditation Process Policy and Procedures, Public Disclosures Policy and Procedures and 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. To direct the institution to execute an agreement with a custodian or repository for student academic records and transcripts, including evidence of financial payment for services if necessary. To direct the immediate release of any and all refunds owed to students.
August 11, 2026
To acknowledge receipt of the notifications on July 28, 2026, and on August 4, 2026, of institutional closure, voluntary surrender of accreditation, and termination of membership. The institution announced that academic instruction will cease on August 26, 2026, and the Commission will consider the institution closed and no longer operational with students actively enrolled as of August 26, 2026 (Requirement of Affiliation 2). 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, Procedures, and Guidelines and Voluntary Surrender Procedures). To note the institution intends to cease instruction at all locations on August 26, 2026, and to close while on show cause and without prior approval. To note that the date accreditation will cease will be determined following the submission of an updated, comprehensive, and implementable teach-out plan with signed teach-out agreements, due August 14, 2026.To note the institution will maintain accreditation for the sole purpose of awarding earned academic credentials, executing any appropriate course substitutions, and processing grades. To remind the institution and its governing body of its obligation to be responsive to Commission requests and meet due dates for information. To remind the institution and its governing body of its obligation to inform the Commission immediately about any and all significant developments relevant to this action and to make freely available to the Commission accurate, fair, and complete information on all aspects of the institution and its operations (Standard 1, formerly Standard VII).
June 25, 2026
To acknowledge receipt of the self-study report. To note the on-site evaluation visit by Commission representatives to the main campus at 1401 Charlestown Road, Phoenixville, PA 19460 on March 22-25, 2026. To require the institution to show cause, by September 1, 2026, 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 regulations limit the period during which an institution may be in non-compliance, which started on June 25, 2026. To require a show cause report, due September 1, 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 requirements. The show cause report must include evidence of (1) documented financial resources, funding base, and plans for financial development to support its educational purposes and programs and to ensure financial stability (Standard VI); (2) a record of responsible fiscal management, including multi-year, long-range financial models that include realistic enrollment projections and the assumptions on which they are based (Standard VI); (3) completed audited financial statements for fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025; (4) follow up on any cited concerns and corrective measures taken to address material findings cited in the audits or accompanying management letters (Standard VI); (5) compliance with program responsibilities under existing federal title IV and other state laws and regulations, including any audits of financial aid programs as required by federal and state regulations and updated financial information relating to the institution's Heightened Cash Monitoring (HCM1) status (Standard VI); and (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) (Fourteenth Edition and Evidence Expectations by Standards Guidelines). To direct the institution to immediately notify the University of Valley Forge 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 for accreditation, requirements of affiliation, policies and procedures, and applicable federal regulatory requirements. To require that the institution complete and submit for approval, by September 1, 2026, 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 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 provide to the Commission timely and accurate financial audits. 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 will be determined upon reaffirmation of accreditation.
November 24, 2025
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report requested by the Commission action of August 7, 2025. To direct the next self-study, in preparation for a visit in 2025-2026, also provide further evidence of (1) documented financial resources, funding base, and plans for financial development adequate to support its educational purposes and programs and to ensure financial stability (Standard V) and (2) the steps taken to ensure timely production of audited financial statements for FY 2023 and subsequent years (Standard VI).
August 7, 2025
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to request a supplemental information report, due September 12, 2025, that provides additional information on (1) compliance with institutional program responsibilities under federal title IV and other state laws and regulations and (2) key data indicators (financial health and federal financial responsibility) from the 2024 Annual Institutional Update (AIU) (Standard II and Standard VI). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2025-2026.