Middle States Accreditation

Slippery Rock University’s grant of accreditation was reaffirmed on June 24, 2021 by the Middle States Commission. Our accreditation action statement is:

To acknowledge receipt of the self-study report. To note that the institution hosted a virtual site visit in lieu of an on-site visit in accordance with the United States Department of Education (USDE) guidelines published March 17, 2020. To reaffirm accreditation. To note that a verification visit is required by USDE guidelines and will be conducted within a reasonable period of time following the virtual site visit. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2028-2029 (taken from www.msche.org/institution/0561/).

Also known as Middle States, MSCHE is Slippery Rock's institutional accreditor. Middle States requires each member institution to complete a self-study process every eight years (formerly ten years), concluding in a site visit by a team of higher education peers. 

Accreditation is a voluntary review process that demonstrates that we are providing an excellent education in accordance with our mission. Maintaining accreditation is necessary for institutions to gain access to Title IV federal financial aid funding. Since about 85% of Slippery Rock University students use some form of financial aid, this recognition is crucial to our identity and mission as an excellent educational institution serving Pennsylvania residents and beyond. Accreditation can also be a factor in transfer of credit between institutions, admission to graduate school, eligibility for certain credentialing exams, and employment decisions.

MIDDLE STATES STANDARDS 

Here is a short introduction to the what and why of MSCHE accreditation. Additionally, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education has detailed explanations of the standards, self-study process, and expectations. Interested in our current MSCHE accreditation status? Learn more about MSCHE Accreditation. Middle States celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019. Learn more about MSCHE history.

2021 SELF-STUDY

Slippery Rock University completed the self-study process for institutional reaffirmation with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The required virtual team visit was held March 28 through March 31, 2021. 

In the three years preceding the visit, a team of over 100 faculty, staff, and students worked to evaluate Slippery Rock's strengths and to identify ways in which we can continue to engage in the process of ongoing self-improvement.  This process culminated in our self-study, which addresses the seven MSCHE Standards of Accreditation and fifteen Requirements of Affiliation, the University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a set of eight Next Steps that will influence the University’s actions in upcoming years.  

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

2021 MSCHE Self-Study
2020 SRU-MSCHE FAQs
2019 Self-Study Design Approval
2019 Self-Study Design
Self-study working group membership
2016 Slippery Rock University PRR
2011 MSCHE Self-Study

HISTORY  

June 24, 2021, MSCHE reaffirmed Slippery Rock University’s grant of accreditation for eight years with no follow-up action required.

• March 28-31, 2021 team visit. Because of concerns about the COVID 19 pandemic, the visit was conducted virtually.
• November 12, 2020 team chair visit
  MSCHE Team-Chair, Lori Vermeulen from Stockton University, virtually visited with members of the SRU community to discuss the self-study draft, the self-study process, and to evaluate SRU’s readiness to host the team visit in Spring 2021.
• October - December 2020
  Self-Study Draft Completed and shared with the university community for review and comment.
• October, 2019
  Campus-wide Kickoff Event for Self-Study
• April, 2019
  Self-Study Working Groups began Self-Study process
• March 2019
  Campus Visit by MSCHE Vice President Liaison Dr. Sean McKitrick

CONTACT INFORMATION

Mary Hennessey, Accreditation Liaison Officer and Assistant to the Provost
307 Old Main
Slippery Rock, PA 16057
724.738.2171
mary.hennessey@sru.edu