Middle States Re-accreditation

Accreditation

Accreditation in higher education maintains the integrity of academic institutions by ensuring they operate at high standards and deliver value to students. It ensures that institutions and their programs meet established benchmarks for academic quality, faculty qualifications, student support, and institutional resources. Through the accreditation process, higher education institutions are required to adhere to rigorous quality standards, which are regularly assessed. This process encourages continuous improvement in curricula, teaching methods, and student outcomes.

St. Lawrence University was first accredited in 1921. We were reaffirmed in 2018 by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and we entered the re-accreditation process again in 2024, a status of our accreditation can be found here https://www.msche.org/institution/0382/

How does it work?

Self-study

St. Lawrence University undertakes a comprehensive campus-wide self-study as part of the accreditation process. This process involves faculty, staff, and administrators working collaboratively to evaluate the institution’s mission, goals, and overall effectiveness. The self-study reflects the university’s commitment to continuous improvement and results in a detailed report highlighting both institutional strengths and areas that need enhancement.

Peer Evaluation

Following the submission of the self-study, a team of peer evaluators professionals from other accredited higher education institutions reviews the report. These evaluators assess St. Lawrence University’s adherence to the standards set by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and provide objective feedback and recommendations aimed at strengthening institutional performance.

On-site visit

After the peer review, MSCHE conducts an on-site evaluation at St. Lawrence University. This visit allows the evaluators to gather additional information and confirm the findings from the self-study and peer review stages. The on-site evaluation is a critical step in the accreditation process, ensuring that the university meets MSCHE’s rigorous standards.

Re-accreditation 2024-2027

In 2024 we started the re-affirmation process. We formed a steering committee and working groups for the seven MSCHE standards. Visit updates on the status of the process to see what we are currently working on.