USCHE accreditation reflects an institution’s performance, resource strength, and dedication to fulfilling its mission and objectives. Accreditation is granted when the academic community confirms, through peer review and self-regulation, that an institution is successfully meeting its goals. An institution's commitment to academic excellence is demonstrated by its engagement with the responsibilities defined within the accreditation process.

The USCHE Accreditation Standards and Requirements of Affiliation—consisting of seven standards and 15 requirements—act as a foundational framework for aspiring members, candidate institutions, and accredited institutions undertaking self-review and ongoing development. Adherence to these standards is mandatory, requiring institutions to maintain compliance and engage in continuous self-evaluation and improvement efforts.

These standards are built upon four core principles: aligning with each institution’s unique mission to reflect diversity, enhancing the student learning experience, focusing on assessment of both institutional and student outcomes, and encouraging innovation to support institutional advancement.

The requirements stress that accreditation should respect each institution’s distinct goals and mission. Recognising a variety of pathways to educational and operational excellence, the standards focus more on institutional functions than rigid organisational structures.

Each requirement is clearly defined and accompanied by criteria that illustrate the essential characteristics of the standard. Institutions and peer reviewers apply these criteria within the context of the institution’s mission to demonstrate compliance. Importantly, the standards are not intended to be used as a simple checklist by institutions or evaluators.

To be considered eligible and to maintain accreditation with the Accreditation Commission of Higher Education, an institution must fully demonstrate compliance with all applicable Requirements of Affiliation. This compliance must be continuous and is regularly confirmed, typically through institutional self-studies and other formal evaluations. Once deemed eligible, the institution must consistently meet the Standards for Accreditation.

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education does not accredit institutions offering only postsecondary certificates, licenses, or non-degree credentials.

The institution must be operational and actively enrolling new students into its degree-granting programs.

Unless compelling evidence is presented showing that the lack of graduates does not hinder the institution’s ability to demonstrate student learning outcomes, an institution seeking Candidacy or Initial Accreditation must have at least one graduating class prior to the evaluation team’s site visit.

All official communication between the institution and the Commission, both written and verbal, must be conducted in English.

The institution must adhere to all relevant governmental laws and regulations at the federal and state levels.

The institution is required to comply with the policies of the Commission, as well as applicable interregional and institutional policies. Commission policies can be found at www.usche.org

The institution must have a clearly defined mission statement and related goals that outline its educational purpose, approved by its governing board.

There must be ongoing evaluation of the institution’s educational initiatives and other activities, with the results actively used for improvement.

All academic programs and learning opportunities, regardless of level or mode of delivery, must demonstrate academic rigour, logical structure, and appropriate methods for assessing student performance.

Institutional planning must incorporate objectives for academic performance, student learning, and institutional improvement, guided by assessment outcomes.

The institution must possess adequate financial resources, a solid funding base, and sustainable financial planning to support its academic mission and ensure long-term stability. This includes financial backing from affiliated entities such as systems, religious sponsors, or corporate owners. A proven record of responsible fiscal management, a current operational budget, and independent annual audits are required.

The institution must disclose its legal governance structure and any affiliated entities (such as systems, religious organizations, or corporate owners). Its governing board is responsible for ensuring academic excellence, ethical conduct, and adherence to the institutional mission.

A majority of governing board members must be free of financial, familial, or personal relationships with the institution. The board must follow a conflict of interest policy that promotes transparency and ensures objectivity. The institution’s chief executive officer or system leader may not also serve as chair of the board.

The institution and its governing board(s) must provide accurate and transparent information about the institution’s operations to the Commission. They are responsible for notifying the Commission of changes in accreditation status and ensuring the institution presents consistent information across all accrediting and regulatory bodies, including disclosures related to board compensation.

The institution must have a dedicated core faculty, whether full-time or part-time, that provides adequate oversight and continuity of its academic programs.

The mission of the institution defines its primary aims, the student population it serves, and its role within the broader context of higher education. The institution’s declared goals are directly tied to its mission and explain how it intends to fulfil them.

Criteria

The following traits and practices are consistently demonstrated by an accredited institution:

1. Clearly articulated mission and goals that:

a. Are collaboratively developed with input from all individuals involved in institutional planning and development;

b. Reflect both internal conditions and the needs of external stakeholders;

c. Are formally endorsed and approved by the institution’s governing authority;

d. Serve as a foundation for decision-making in planning, budgeting, curriculum development, and defining institutional and academic objectives by faculty, staff, administration, and governance bodies;

e. Support academic research and creative activities at levels appropriate to the institution’s type and scope;

f. Are well-publicised and actively communicated by the institution’s internal community;

g. Are subject to routine review and assessment;

2. Institutional goals that are realistic, relevant to higher education, and aligned with the mission;

3. Goals that reflect the institution’s mission and are reinforced through its academic, administrative, and student support services, focusing on student learning outcomes and institutional development;

4. Periodic reviews of the mission and objectives to ensure they remain current and achievable.

Strong higher education institutions are characterised by their unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity. An institution must remain faithful to its mission, honour its commitments, follow its internal policies, and present itself honestly in all internal and external operations.

Criteria

The following features or practices are exhibited by an accredited institution:

1. A strong commitment to academic freedom, intellectual freedom, free expression, and respect for intellectual property rights;

2. A campus environment that embraces and respects diverse experiences, beliefs, and viewpoints among students, faculty, staff, and administrators;

3. A documented and well-communicated grievance policy that addresses concerns raised by faculty, staff, or students. These procedures are impartial, transparent, and ensure timely and appropriate resolution of complaints;

4. Actions that prevent actual or perceived conflicts of interest between stakeholders and their responsibilities;

5. Consistent application of fair and equitable processes in hiring, evaluating, promoting, disciplining, and terminating employees;

6. Honesty and clarity in all internal communications, public announcements, marketing, recruitment, and admissions practices and materials;

7. Based on its mission and offered services or ongoing programs:

a. Promotes accessibility and affordability in higher education;

b. Educates students on funding options, the value of educational investments, and helps them make informed decisions about managing student debt;

8. Adherence to all reporting obligations, regulations, and expectations from the Commission and governmental authorities at the federal, state, and local levels, including but not limited to:

a. Transparent reporting of institutional metrics such as exam data, student retention, certification/licensure outcomes, and pass rates for licensing boards;

b. Full compliance with the Commission’s Requirements of Affiliation;

c. Timely and accurate communication of substantial changes to the institution’s mission, goals, offerings, locations, or other critical operations;

d. Alignment with all relevant Commission policies;

9. Ongoing assessment of ethics and integrity through institutional policies, operational practices, and the consistency of their implementation.

Respected higher education institutions are distinguished by a steadfast adherence to principles of ethics and integrity. Such institutions are expected to stay aligned with their mission, uphold their promises, follow established policies, and maintain honesty in both internal operations and external communications.

Criteria

The following attributes and behaviours are consistently demonstrated by an accredited institution:

1. A deep-rooted commitment to academic and intellectual freedom, freedom of expression, and protection of intellectual property rights;

2. A learning environment that values and supports diversity in backgrounds, perspectives, and viewpoints among students, faculty, staff, and leadership;

3. A clearly defined and widely communicated grievance process for faculty, staff, and students, ensuring equitable, unbiased, and prompt handling of complaints;

4. Proactive measures to eliminate actual or perceived conflicts of interest between institutional stakeholders and their respective duties;

5. Equitable and impartial procedures in employee hiring, evaluation, advancement, disciplinary actions, and termination;

6. Transparency and accuracy in institutional messaging, including internal communications, promotional content, recruitment efforts, and admissions procedures;

7. Consistent with its mission and offerings, the institution ensures:

a. That education remains accessible and affordable to all students;

b. That students are informed about financial aid, understand the return on educational investment, and are supported in making responsible borrowing decisions;

8. Full compliance with all reporting standards and legal obligations set forth by the Commission and governing authorities at all levels, including but not limited to:

a. Public disclosure of key data such as examination performance, student retention statistics, certification/licensure rates, and outcomes on licensing exams;

b. Adherence to the Commission’s full set of Affiliation Requirements;

c. Prompt and accurate reporting of meaningful changes to the institution’s purpose, plans, programs, locations, or other critical activities;

d. Conformity with all applicable Commission regulations and guidelines;

9. Ongoing evaluation of the institution’s ethical standards and integrity, demonstrated through policies, procedures, and their consistent application in practice.

The institution actively recruits and enrolls students whose goals, abilities, experiences, and aspirations are well aligned with its mission and educational programs, regardless of delivery method, level, or location. A well-organised support system, led by qualified professionals, is in place to promote student retention, persistence, completion, and overall success. These efforts enhance the learning environment, enrich students’ academic experiences, and contribute to their achievement.

Criteria

The following qualities or practices are consistently exhibited by an accredited institution:

1. Clearly defined, ethical admissions and retention policies that promote student success for individuals whose qualifications and ambitions align with the institution’s mission, including:

a. Comprehensive and accurate information about tuition, financial aid options, scholarships, grants, loan terms, repayment options, and refund policies;

b. A structured system to identify and support students who may not be academically prepared for their intended program, helping them pursue realistic and appropriate academic goals;

c. Orientation, advising, and counselling programs designed to enhance student retention and guide them through their academic journey;

d. Strategies that help students achieve their educational goals—such as earning degrees or certificates, transferring to other institutions, or securing employment after completion;

2. Clearly stated policies and procedures for evaluating transfer credits and recognising prior non-traditional learning, including experience-based credits and competency testing;

3. Standards for protecting student records and ensuring proper, secure handling and disclosure of personal and academic information;

4. Oversight and governance of extracurricular programs—such as athletics and student organisations—under the same academic, financial, and administrative standards as the institution’s academic offerings, where applicable;

5. Where applicable, institutional oversight of student services that are created, managed, or assessed by external providers; and

6. Ongoing assessment of the effectiveness of student support programs to ensure a positive and successful student experience.

The assessment of student learning and performance demonstrates that learners at the institution achieve educational outcomes consistent with their program of study, degree level, institutional mission, and widely accepted standards for higher education.

Criteria

The following practices or qualities are demonstrated by an accredited institution:

1. Clearly defined educational goals that are interrelated, aligned with the student learning experience, and reflective of the institution’s mission at both institutional and degree/program levels;

2. Structured and consistent evaluation of student performance in meeting institutional and program-level objectives, conducted by faculty or other qualified professionals. Institutions should:

a. Establish appropriate benchmarks for measuring achievement of key learning outcomes within the curriculum;

b. Describe how students are prepared for meaningful lives, successful careers, and further study, as applicable—collecting and sharing data on these outcomes;

c. Promote regular assessment of student learning outcomes and share results with internal and external stakeholders;

3. Use assessment results to inform and improve teaching and learning practices. These efforts may include, in alignment with the institution’s mission:

a. Helping students enhance their learning strategies and academic performance;

b. Improving curriculum design and instructional approaches;

c. Reviewing and strengthening academic programs and student support services;

d. Developing, implementing, and supporting faculty and staff professional development activities;

e. Guiding resource allocation and planning for academic programs and services;

f. Informing stakeholders about institutional and programmatic performance and outcomes;

g. Increasing student success indicators such as retention, graduation, transfer, and job placement rates;

h. Implementing additional initiatives aimed at improving educational quality and delivery;

4. Where applicable, appropriate institutional oversight and approval of external assessment tools or services provided by third-party organisations; and

5. Ongoing evaluation of assessment methods to ensure they effectively support continuous improvement in student learning and educational outcomes.

The institution ensures that its planning activities, resource management, and organisational structures are coordinated and sufficient to achieve its mission and objectives. These systems support continuous evaluation and enhancement of programs and services, while enabling the institution to respond effectively to emerging opportunities and challenges.

Criteria

An accredited institution demonstrates the following characteristics or practices:

1. Clearly defined institutional and departmental objectives that are appropriately assessed, aligned with the mission, informed by assessment findings, and used to guide planning and allocation of resources;

2. Transparent and well-documented planning and improvement processes that engage stakeholders and incorporate assessment data for decision-making;

3. A budgeting and financial planning system that is mission-driven, evidence-based, and directly linked to the strategic goals and plans of the institution and its units;

4. Sufficient financial, human, physical, and technological resources to support institutional operations across all delivery modes and locations;

5. Clear and structured decision-making protocols, with defined roles, responsibilities, and accountability mechanisms;

6. Long-term planning for facilities, infrastructure, and technology that addresses sustainability and deferred maintenance, and that aligns with financial and strategic objectives;

7. An annual external audit that verifies financial health, along with documented actions taken in response to any issues raised in the audit’s management letter;

8. Mechanisms to evaluate and ensure the effective and efficient use of institutional resources in alignment with the institution’s mission and priorities;

9. Regular reviews of the institution’s planning processes, resource allocation strategies, renewal efforts, and overall resource availability to ensure continued effectiveness and improvement.

The institution is governed and operated in a manner that allows it to fulfil its stated mission and objectives while effectively serving the needs of its students and other stakeholders. Even when receiving support from or maintaining affiliations with non-accredited government, business, religious, educational, or other organisations, the institution retains the autonomy required to function as an academic entity.

Criteria

The following characteristics or practices are consistently demonstrated by an accredited institution:

1. A clear and transparent governance framework that defines responsibilities, decision-making authority, and accountability for all stakeholders—including the governing board, administration, faculty, staff, and students;

2. A formally established governing authority that:

a. Acts in the public interest by ensuring the institution’s goals are clearly defined and met, assumes fiduciary responsibility, and holds ultimate accountability for academic quality, strategic planning, and financial health;

b. Has sufficient independence and expertise to protect institutional integrity, with members prioritising the institution and avoiding the influence of political, financial, or personal interests in their governance role;

c. Ensures the governing board and its members do not interfere with the institution’s day-to-day management;

d. Oversees the quality of teaching and learning, approves academic programs and degrees, sets personnel policies, adopts institutional policies and bylaws, and ensures responsible financial oversight at a policy level;

To uphold financial integrity, the United States Commission of Higher Education plays a key policy role in financial matters, including timely review of audited financial reports and related documentation;

f. Appoints the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and conducts regular performance evaluations;

g. Makes decisions in accordance with established best practices for board governance;

h. Maintains and follows a written conflict of interest policy that addresses compensation, contracts, employment, and relationships that could compromise impartiality, ensuring the board’s objectivity;

i. Supports the CEO in maintaining the institution’s independence;

3. A Chief Executive Officer who:

a. Is not the chair of the governing board, but is appointed by and accountable to it, and whose performance is reviewed by the board;

b. Has the necessary academic and professional background aligned with the institution’s goals and mission;

c. Holds sufficient authority and autonomy to manage institutional operations, including planning, staffing, budgeting, and guiding the institution toward its stated mission and objectives;

d. Leads the development of effectiveness and efficiency measures and is supported by a team of qualified administrators large enough to enable effective execution of responsibilities;

4. An administrative team that:

a. Operates within a clearly defined organisational structure with documented reporting lines;

b. Is appropriately staffed and skilled to support the CEO’s leadership responsibilities;

c. Includes individuals with the education and experience relevant to the institution’s mission and their specific roles;

d. Demonstrates proficiency in information systems, technology, and operational processes necessary for effective performance;

e. Works collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students to advance institutional goals and objectives;

f. Implements systematic approaches to assess administrative units and uses assessment results for continuous improvement;

5. Regular reviews of leadership, governance, and administrative effectiveness to ensure continuous improvement and accountability.