Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

Phase: Formerly Accredited
Status: Approved Institutional Closure
Candidacy Granted: January 1, 2010
Accreditation Granted: June 27, 2013
Accreditation Ceased: August 25, 2025

Accreditation Actions

August 25, 2025
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to reject the supplemental information report requested by the Commission action of June 6, 2025. To note that resubmission of the report is not required because the institution is considered closed. To note that accreditation ceased on August 25, 2025. As of August 26, 2025, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is no longer accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
June 6, 2025
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report requested by the Commission action of December 2, 2024. To note that the supplemental information report was not conducive to Commission review. To rescind the Commission action of December 2, 2024. To acknowledge receipt of the request of the institution to surrender its accreditation and terminate its membership effective August 25, 2025. To note the institution will close all locations and cease operations effective August 25, 2025. To note that accreditation will cease effective August 25, 2025. To note the institution will maintain accreditation for the sole purpose of implementing the teach-out plan and teach-out agreements. To request a supplemental information report, due July 1, 2025, providing (1) an update on the orderly closure of the institution (Substantive Change Policy and Procedures; Requirement of Affiliation 2) and (2) compliance with reporting requirements from local, state, and federal authorities. To note that the institution will implement a teach-out plan through August 25, 2025. 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). To note that the approved teach-out plan and teach-out agreements remain in place. To remind the institution of its obligation to submit any new signed teach-out agreements as soon as they become available (Teach-Out Plans and Agreements Policy and Procedures). To note that the self-study evaluation visit will no longer be required because the institution is closing. As of August 26, 2025, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts will no longer be accredited by the Middles States Commission on Higher Education.
December 2, 2024
To acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report requested by the Commission action of June 26, 2024. To approve the institution's request to rescind the substantive change request for institutional closure. To remove bachelor's degree or equivalent programs from the scope of the institution's accreditation. To continue to include postsecondary award (1-2 years), postsecondary award (2-4 years), post-baccalaureate certificate, and master's degree or equivalent programs within the scope of the institution's accreditation. To request a supplemental information report, due February 3, 2025, providing written evidence of any licensing, regulatory, and legal requirements and documentation that they have been met, including but not limited to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and United States Department of Education (USDE) (Standard II and Substantive Change Policy and Procedures). To note that the approved teach-out plan and teach-out agreements remain in place for the institution's bachelor's degree or equivalent programs. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2025-2026.
June 26, 2024
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the institutional closure within the institution's scope of accreditation. To note the institution will close all locations and cease operations effective August 25, 2025. To note that accreditation will cease effective August 25, 2025. To note the institution will maintain accreditation for the sole purpose of implementing the teach-out plan and teach-out agreements. To require a supplemental information report, due October 1, 2024, providing (1) an update on the orderly closure of the institution (Substantive Change Policy and Procedures; Requirement of Affiliation 2) and (2) 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 Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and United States Department of Education (USDE) (Standard II and Substantive Change Policy and Procedures). To note that the Commission reserves the right to rescind this action if any developments reveal additional information that might have affected the Commission decision and/or the requested substantive change is not implemented within one calendar year from the date of this action. To note that the institution will implement a teach-out plan through August 25, 2025. To note the implementation of the teach-out plan extends beyond one year with an approved extension by the Commission (Substantive Change Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines). 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). To note that the institution will remain in self-study in anticipation of an evaluation visit in 2025-2026.
June 26, 2024
To acknowledge receipt of the teach-out plan. To approve the teach-out plan. To approve the teach-out agreements with (1) Arcadia University, Glenside, PA; (2) Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA; (3) Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, Lancaster, PA; and (4) Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. To note that the institution will close effective August 25, 2025. To note that Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts will continue as the repository of all student records.
March 28, 2024
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to acknowledge receipt of the supplemental information report requested by the Commission action of November 6, 2023, providing information on key data indicators (enrollment – FTE), as reported on the 2023 Annual Institutional Update (AIU) in accordance with federal regulation 34 CFR § 602.19(d). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2025-2026.
November 6, 2023
Staff acted on behalf of the Commission to request a supplemental information report, due December 13, 2023, providing information on key data indicators (enrollment – FTE) as reported on the 2023 Annual Institutional Update in accordance with federal regulation 34 CFR § 602.19 (d). The next evaluation date is scheduled for 2025-2026. 
January 4, 2021
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include alternative delivery method-distance education 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 2025-2026.
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 2025-2026.
March 4, 2019
To acknowledge receipt of the substantive change request. To include the second Postsecondary Certificate (>=1 year, < 2 years) - Studio Certificate within the institution's scope of accreditation. To note 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 2025-2026.