Statement of Accreditation Status

    The Statement of Accreditation Status (SAS) is the official statement of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) about each institution’s current accreditation status and scope of accreditation. The SAS also provides a brief history of the actions taken by the Commission.

  • Institution:
    Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry
    Bayamon, PR
  • Address:
    500 Carr Dr. John W Harris
    Bayamon, PR 00957
  • Phone:
    (787) 765-1915
  • URL:
    www.optonet.inter.edu
  • Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO):
    Dr. Angel Romero
  • Commission Staff Liaison:
    Dr. Paul Starkey, Vice President

Accreditation Summary

For more information, see the Commission’s Accreditation Actions Policy and Procedures.

  • Phase: Accredited
  • Status: Accreditation Reaffirmed
  • Accreditation Granted: 1981
  • Last Reaffirmation: 2013
  • Next Self-Study Evaluation: 2022-2023
  • Next Mid-Point Peer Review: 2027

Alternative Delivery Methods

The following represents approved alternative delivery methods included in the scope of the institution’s accreditation:

Distance Education
Not approved for this delivery method

Correspondence Education
Not approved for this delivery method

Credential Levels

Approved Credential Levels

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

  • Doctor's Degree - Professional Practice

Locations

The following represents branch campuses, additional locations, and other instructional sites that are included within the scope of the institution’s accreditation:

Location Type

Definitions: For definitions of branch campus, additional locations, or other instructional sites, see the Commission’s Substantive Change Policy and Procedures.

Accreditation Actions

The following represents the MSCHE accreditation actions taken in the last ten (10) years. For more information, see the Commission’s Accreditation Actions Policy and Procedures and the Substantive Change Policy and Procedures.

  • April 16, 2020
    To acknowledge receipt of formal written notice from the institution in response to the Commission’s request of March 9, 2020. To temporarily waive Substantive Change Policy and Procedures and allow the use of distance education to accommodate students impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) interruptions, in accordance with United States Department of Education (USDE) guidelines published March 5, 2020. Continued use of distance education beyond the limitations of USDE guidelines will require substantive change approval in accordance with Substantive Change Policy and Procedures. This flexibility is not available for clock-hour courses that lead to licensure if the licensing body will not accept distance learning courses or hours or give credit for them toward the number of hours a student must complete. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2022-2023.
  • March 5, 2020
    To note that the Mid-Point Peer Review has been conducted. To request that, beginning in 2020 and in conjunction with each Annual Institutional Update prior to the self-study visit in 2022-2023, the institution provide further evidence of published information regarding student achievement, including student outcome measures (Standard IV and Public Disclosures Policy and Procedures).
  • November 15, 2018
    To acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report. To note that a follow-up visit will not be conducted. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2025-2026.
  • March 15, 2018
    To accept the supplemental information report. To request a supplemental information report, due August 1, 2018, regarding the status of the institution. A small team visit may follow submission of the report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2022-2023.
  • October 19, 2017
    To request a supplemental information report due December 1, 2017, regarding the status of the institution.
  • June 25, 2015
    To accept the progress report. The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2018.
  • June 27, 2013
    To reaffirm accreditation and to commend the institution for the quality of the self-study process. To request a progress report, due April 1, 2015, documenting evidence of (1) further implementation of a sustained process for the assessment of institutional effectiveness at the unit level (Standard 7); and (2) further implementation of the process to assess the achievement of student learning goals in the new curriculum (Standard 14). The Periodic Review Report is due June 1, 2018.

Information about the Middle States Commission on Higher Education

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) is one of seven institutional accrediting organizations in the United States and is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). MSCHE accreditation applies to an institution as a whole rather than the specific programs within an institution. MSCHE does not approve or accredit individual programs. The MSCHE accreditation review cycle is continuous and accreditation does not expire. Each institution is reevaluated and monitored on a regular and consistent basis in accordance with the institution’s assigned accreditation review cycle and Commission policy and procedures. An institution maintains its accreditation unless it is voluntarily surrendered or withdrawn by the Commission for cause, after the institution has been afforded due process. The institution’s current accreditation phase and accreditation status are displayed on the institution’s listing in the Institution Directory and in the Statement of Accreditation Status (SAS).