MSCHE Accreditation Standards

Standard I- Mission and Goals
The institution's mission defines its purpose within the context of higher education, the students
it serves, and what it intends to accomplish. The institution's stated goals are clearly linked to its
mission and specify how the institution fulfills its mission.

Standard II- Ethics and Integrity
Ethics and integrity are central, indispensable, and defining hallmarks of effective higher
education institutions. In all activities, whether internal or external, an institution must be
faithful to its mission, honor its contracts and commitments, adhere to its policies, and represent
itself truthfully.

Standard III- Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience
An institution provides students with learning experiences that are characterized by rigor and
coherence at all program, certificate, and degree levels, regardless of instructional modality. All
learning experiences, regardless of modality, program pace/schedule, level, and setting are
consistent with higher education expectations.

Standard IV- Support of the Student Experience
Across all educational experiences, settings, levels, and instructional modalities, the institution
recruits and admits students whose interests, abilities, experiences, and goals are congruent with
its mission and educational offerings. 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 V- Educational Effectiveness Assessment
Assessment of student learning and achievement demonstrates that the institution's students
have accomplished educational goals consistent with their program of study, degree level, the
institution's mission, and appropriate expectations for institutions of higher education.

Standard VI- Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement
The institution's planning processes, resources, and structures are aligned with each other and are
sufficient to fulfill its mission and goals, to continuously assess and improve its programs and
services, and to respond effectively to opportunities and challenges.

Standard VII- Governance, Leadership, and Administration
The institution is governed and administered in a manner that allows it to realize its stated
mission and goals in a way that effectively benefits the institution, its students, and the other
constituencies it serves. Even when supported by or affiliated with governmental, corporate,
religious, educational system, or other unaccredited organizations, the institution has education
as its primary purpose, and it operates as an academic institution with appropriate autonomy.