MIDDLE STATES SELF-STUDY

Peirce College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pa., 19104; 267-284-5000). As a member institution of the Commission, Peirce is periodically evaluated for reaccreditation. Beginning in 2009, Peirce will embark on a two-year reaccreditation process that will reaffirm the College's mission, goals and effectiveness. Visit this webpage frequently for updates on the process. To learn more about MSCHE, visit www.msche.org.

CO-CHAIRS

Edwin Miller, Assistant Dean & Professor, Legal Studies

Debra Schrammel, Dean, Academic Programs and Research

MEMBERS

Dennis Barbee, Manager, Application Support
Chair, Working Group 3 -- Leadership, Governance & Administration

Elise Berrocal, Program Supervisor, Communications
Chair, Working Group 1 -- Mission, Goals & Integrity

Brian Finnegan, Faculty Chair & Associate Professor, Information Technology

Beverly Elliott, Faculty Chair & Distinguished Teaching Professor, General Education

Joseph Falzone, Professor, Economics
Chair, Working Group 5 -- Faculty

Marie Gould, Faculty Chair & Professor, Business Administration

Brad Hodge, Manager, Financial Analysis/Reporting
Chair, Working Group 2 -- Planning, Resources & Institutional Renewal

Ruthie Kroah, Program Advisor, Technical Specialist
Recording Secretary

Jon Lenrow, Associate Dean, Academic Operations & Faculty Support
Chair, Working Group 6 -- Educational Offerings, General Education & Related Educational Activities

Nadine Maher, Dean, Enrollment Management

Stella Neher, Academic Systems Specialist
Recording Secretary

Camille Pierre, Institutional Research Specialist

Fred Poellnitz, Professor, Business Administration
Chair, Working Group 4 -- Student Admissions & Support Services

Patricia Rucker, Vice President, Academic Advancement & Provost

Rita Toliver-Roberts, Dean of Students
Chair, Working Group 7 -- Institutional Assessment & Student Learning Assessment

10/2009

Working groups submit research outlines for co-chairs' review

8/2009

Working groups begin Self-study research

7/2009

Self-study Design approved by Middle States

4/30/2009

Middle States Liaison site visit

4/23/209

On-campus Self-study orientation session for College faculty, staff and students

Important Documents

Characteristics of Excellence in Higher Education

MSCHE Timetable

Frequently Asked Questions

What is MSCHE?
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is one of several regional institutional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation. MSCHE accredits institutions in Pennsylvania as well as other locations in the United States and abroad.

What is accreditation?
Accreditation is the process by which an external agency examines a program, a curriculum or an institution and determines whether it does or does not meet certain established standards. Accreditation does not rank institutions or programs.

What is reaccreditation?
Colleges and universities in the Middle States region are typically reevaluated on five-year intervals. A comprehensive reevaluation occurs approximately every 10 years after an institution's initial accreditation. This comprehensive reaccreditation is based upon a self-study report (an intensive review of an institution's educational programs and services, student learning and achievement of its stated goals and mission, as measured against standards that have been developed by MSCHE) that the institution prepares about itself. For a chronology of Peirce College's reaccreditation process, click here >>

What other agencies accredit Peirce College?
The Bachelor of Science and Associate in Science degrees and the Certificate of Proficiency in Paralegal Studies are recognized and approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). The Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accredits Peirce College's Bachelor of Science and Associate in Science degrees and the Certificate of Proficiency in Business Administration.

The College is approved for Veteran and Vocational Rehabilitation training. Eligible veterans, members of the National Guard, and the survivors and dependents of deceased and disabled veterans may be eligible to use their G.I. benefits. Determination is made by the Veterans Administration. The Dean, Enrollment Services is the College's certifying official for veteran's benefits. Peirce College is a Servicemembers Opportunity College (SOC).

The College has an "A" rating with the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) and is a member of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), the Pennsylvania Independent College and University Research Center (PICURC), the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP), and the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU).

Do institutions ever lose accreditation?
Following a review, it is common for the Middle States review team to make recommendations for improvements to an institution. The institution is given a reasonable amount of time to enhance its programs and strengthen its mission based on these recommendations.

Your participation is essential to the reaccreditation process. Please share any questions or suggestions with Peirce Self-study co-chairs:

Edwin B. Miller, J.D. Assistant Dean and Professor, Legal Studies 888.GO.PEIRCE, ext. 9291 emiller@peirce.edu

Debra Schrammel Dean, Academic Programs and Research 888.GO.PEIRCE, ext. 9270 dsschrammel@peirce.edu