Middle States Commission on Higher Education Catalog Accreditation Requirements

December 15, 2017

Last updated: January 24, 2025

Achieving accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) is a significant milestone for any institution. Recognized by the United States Department of Education, MSCHE accreditation not only validates the quality of education your institution provides but also opens the door to Title IV funding opportunities.

Gaining MSCHE accreditation requires institutions to meet rigorous standards, many of which must be thoroughly documented. An academic catalog serves as an ideal platform to compile and present much of this critical information. To help you navigate these requirements, Clean Catalog has outlined key standards that your catalog should address, based on MSCHE’s Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation.

Key Documentation Requirements for Your Academic Catalog

MSCHE’s accreditation standards emphasize transparency, accuracy, and accessibility. Below are the essential elements your catalog should include:

Mission and Goals

Clearly defined institutional mission and goals that are publicized and well-understood by stakeholders.

Grievance Policy

A grievance policy accessible to students, faculty, and staff for addressing complaints.

Academic Programs

Descriptions of all academic programs, written in a clear and accessible format for students.

Student Success Policies

Ethical practices for recruiting, admitting, and supporting students. These should include:

Accurate financial information
Processes for accessing educational support
Orientation, advisement, and counseling services
Strategies to improve student achievement, such as transfer opportunities, program completion, and post-graduation placement
Analysis of outcomes data to inform strategies for improvement

Transfer and Alternative Learning

Fair and transparent policies for evaluating transfer credits and alternative learning experiences.

Learning Outcomes

Clearly articulated student learning outcomes that align institution-level and program-level goals.

Additional Standards for Catalog Inclusion

Other MSCHE accreditation standards that may be documented in your catalog include:

Policies and procedures for the safe maintenance and release of student records.
Information on student life and extracurricular opportunities offered by the institution.

Honesty and Continuous Compliance

MSCHE emphasizes that all documentation must be honest, accurate, and timely. Substantive changes to institutional policies or programs must also be disclosed. Compliance with these standards is not a one-time effort—it requires ongoing maintenance and periodic validation to retain accreditation.

Let Clean Catalog Simplify Your Accreditation Process

Preparing and maintaining an MSCHE-compliant catalog doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Clean Catalog specializes in creating clear, accurate, and easily updatable catalogs that meet accreditation standards.