Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

The Pennsylvania State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (267-284-5000). The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

The Pennsylvania State University was first accredited in 1921 and reaffirmed on November 15, 2012. The next monitoring report is due November 1, 2013, the self-study evaluation 2014-15, and the next Periodic Review Report is due 2020. Details on significant requests and actions by the Commission are listed below.

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Middle States Warning and Its Removal

Middle States acceptance of the reports and revised Statement of Accreditation Status – November 15, 2012. At its session on November 15, 2012, the Middle States Commission acted to accept the University's monitoring report, to note the visit by the Commission's representatives, to remove the warning, and to reaffirm accreditation. To request a monitoring report, due November 1, 2013, documenting (1) the impact on the University budget and the identification of sources of funding to cover the requirements of (a) the report of the U.S. Department of Education regarding the University's compliance with the Clery Act and associated penalties; (b) updated estimates of the projected costs and liabilities associated with related litigation and the implementation of the Freeh Report recommendations and the NCAA Consent Decree requirements; and (c) the recommendations that are articulated in the report of the external monitor called for by Recommendation 8.3 of the Freeh Report (Standard 3); and (2) developments associated with the revision of the Bylaws of the Board of Trustees to accommodate (a) the expanded involvement of faculty, staff, and students on Board committees and (b) the dual reporting accountability to both the Board and the President of key positions, including that of the General Counsel and the Directors of Internal Audit and Compliance (Standard 4). The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2014-2015.

Middle States Evaluation Team’s Report – October 26, 2012

University’s Monitoring Report – On September 27, 2012, the University submitted the requested monitoring report. Following receipt of the monitoring report, a small team of peer evaluators visited the University on October 21-23 to verify the contents of the report. The team then submitted their report to the Commission’s Committee on Follow-up Activities on the institution’s status with regard to the Commission’s Requirements of Affiliation and Accreditation Standards.

Middle States notification letter which includes Statement of Accreditation Status, and Public Disclosure Statement – August 8, 2012. At its session on August 6, 2012, the Executive Committee of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education placed the University on warning status and required a monitoring report be submitted by September 30, 2012. The Pennsylvania State University remained accredited by the Commission.

Middle States Request for Information

Middles States' request for additional information - November 11, 2011
University's response to Middle States' November 2011 request
Middle States' acceptance of informational report and revised Statement of Accreditation Status - March 2, 2012

Periodic Review Report

Periodic Review Report Additional Progress - March 30, 2012
Middle States' acceptance of report and revised Statement of Accreditation Status - June 28, 2012

Periodic Review Report - June 2010
Middle States' acceptance of PRR and revised Statement of Accreditation Status - November 18, 2010

Self-Study Evaluation

Assessment Plan for Student Learning (3/2006)

Middle States reaffirmed accreditation and Statement of Accreditation Status (2006)

Middle States Accreditation Team Report (2005)

Teaching and Learning in Undergraduate Education at Penn State: An Institutional Self-Study - February 23, 2005

Professional Accrediting Agencies by College and Campus