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Accreditation Standing
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education’s (MSCHE) warning to Penn State regarding its accreditation has raised concern regarding the University’s standing as an accredited institution. The warning should have no impact on Penn State students, especially since the loss of accreditation is unlikely. Most institutions that are placed on warning by the commission typically return to compliance within 6-18 months. The commission’s goal when it places an institution on warning is to help it meet the requirements and standards established by the institutions within the higher education community. A warning does not indicate that the loss of an institution’s accreditation is imminent.
Two national leaders in the field of higher education were recently quoted in a Philadelphia Inquirer article about Penn State’s accreditation situation. Dr. Judith Eaton, president of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), noted, “It would be extraordinary for a university of the stature and strength of Penn State to lose its accreditation.” Molly Corbett Broad, president of the American Council of Education, commented, “It’s a great university. Its academic quality is superb. If I were a mother of a youngster who had been accepted to Penn State, there is nothing in this set of events that would cause me to have second thoughts about the choice of school.” Penn State Great Valley will provide future updates as they develop.