MSCHE Reaccreditation Cycle

Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Current Reaccreditation Cycle

St. Joseph’s Seminary and College (SJS) has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) since 1961. MSCHE is a voluntary, non-governmental membership association that defines, maintains, and promotes educational excellence. MSCHE is a crucial part of what is termed the “regulatory triad” along with the United States Department of Education and a college’s state department of education (in St. Joseph’s case, the New York State Education Department). These three entities ensure that institutions of higher education are financially sound, follow government and accreditor regulations, provide a quality student learning experience, meet expected student learning outcomes, and have processes in place to assess and continually improve the institution.

MSCHE reviews its members for reaccreditation on an 8-year cycle. The review requires the institution complete an in-depth self-study, including a review and assessment of all areas of institutional governance, structure, processes, policies, practices, finances, student services, academic programming, and institutional priorities and planning. Institutions are given 2 years to complete the self-study.

SJS initiated its current MSCHE Self-Study process in Fall 2021 and is tentatively scheduled to complete the process with a visit from MSCHE during the Spring of 2024.

Fall 2021 – MSCHE Self-Study Steering Committee organized (see chart below); committee chairs and vice chairs attended MSCHE Self-Study Institute.

Winter 2022 – Self-Study Design drafted.

Spring 2022 – MSCHE Liaison meetings in preparation for the Self-Study; Self-Study Design submitted for MSCHE approval.

Summer/Fall 2022 – Self-Study Report research, writing, and evidence collection.

Spring 2023 – Draft Self-Study Report shared with Seminary community for feedback.

Summer/Fall 2023 – Team Chair meetings with SJS staff, students, and governance representatives.

Winter 2024 – Self-Study Report is finalized, evidence prepared for submission.

Spring 2024 – Self-Study Report and evidence submitted to MSCHE (at least 2 weeks prior to visit).

Spring 2024 – MSCHE Evaluation Team visits campus – This is a dense, 4-day visit culminating in a report to St. Joseph’s regarding the team’s preliminary findings.

June/September 2024 – Commission Review (date TBD)