Montclair State University is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE or the Commission) www.msche.org. Montclair’s accreditation status is accreditation reaffirmed. The Commission’s most recent action on the institution’s accreditation status on June 22, 2017 was to reaffirm accreditation status. MSCHE is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education to conduct accreditation and pre-accreditation (candidate status) activities for institutions of higher education including distance, correspondence education, and direct assessment programs offered at those institutions. The Commission’s geographic area of accrediting activities is throughout the United States.
Accreditation is a process of peer review and plays a crucial role in establishing and maintaining the highest standards as an institution of higher learning. Colleges and universities apply for accreditation and, once accredited, must adhere to the standards of quality and integrity set forth by their accrediting organization. To maintain accreditation, the University must meet MSCHE’s rigorous Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation. MSCHE accreditation assures students, their families, and the public of the educational quality of a Montclair State University education. Institutional accreditation is also a requirement for the University to participate in the Department of Education’s Title IV federal financial aid program.
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and preaccreditation (“Candidacy status”) of institutions of higher education including distance and correspondence education programs offered at those institutions.
Accredited by:
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
1007 North Orange Street
4th Floor, MB #166
Wilmington, DE 19801
The Accreditation Process
The University is scheduled for an evaluation in the 2025-2026 academic year. Montclair State University joined the Middle States Self-Study Institute in the fall 2023 term to begin the preparations for the next cycle of accreditation. Since the merger of Bloomfield College with Montclair State University on June 30, 2024, the two institutions’ accreditation process has also merged.
Step 1: Self-Study
The evaluation process begins with an Institutional Self-Study. The University has already formed the Leadership Team, the Steering Committee, and eight working groups consisting of Montclair State University and Bloomfield College of Montclair administrators, faculty, staff and students. In concert with the University’s leadership, all stakeholders will be reviewing institutional priorities and educational programs and services to determine how well they serve our students, accomplish our goals and fulfill our mission as a university, and meet the Commission’s high standards.
We will provide periodic updates throughout the process to ensure the University community and alumni are aware of the status of our evaluation. The self-study design document and the final self-study report summarizing our findings will be made available to the public.
Step 2: Peer Review
In the next phase of the evaluation, educators from similar institutions will read our self-study report and conduct a team visit to determine if Montclair State meets MSCHE accreditation standards. As part of their assessment, they may endorse some of the suggestions made in the self-study report and provide some additional suggestions for institutional follow up.
Step 3: Commission Review and Decision
The MSCHE’s Committee on Evaluation will review all of the discussions, reports and suggestions and the Commission will publish Montclair State University’s accreditation status.
What is the Middle States Commission on Higher Education?
As a voluntary, non-governmental membership association, the MSCHE facilitates and supports the ability of higher education institutions to respond to a diverse, dynamic and global higher education community that is continually evolving. MSCHE accredits degree-granting colleges and universities in the Middle States region, which includes Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., as well as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and several international locations. Learn more at msche.org.
How Does MSCHE Assist Institutions of Higher Education?
The Core Values of the Commission clearly indicate their commitment to work with higher education institutions through self-regulation and peer-review. MSCHE fosters a “continuous and seamless relationship with member institutions to promote self evaluation and institutional improvement.” The Commission respects the unique mission of each institution and its evaluation processes and procedures for student learning outcomes assessment, effective teaching and institutional effectiveness.
MSCHE is also committed to the principles of cooperation, flexibility and openness. The Commission assists member institutions in maintaining the high level of transparency in the accreditation process and in the status held by each member institution, as this is an essential component of higher education reporting procedures.
Updates
- Update: Self-Study Design Document ApprovedWednesday May 8, 2024
- Working Groups Hard at Work for Middle States Accreditation Self-StudyFriday January 26, 2024
- Launch of Middle States Accreditation Cycle 2023-2026Wednesday January 3, 2024
