Middle States Accreditation | Adelphi University

Adelphi University is conducting its Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) Self-Study, a rigorous and required process to earn reaccreditation in 2027 and to continually ensure the quality and integrity of our institution.

This webpage will serve as a central hub for updates, documents, and opportunities for community engagement.

About Middle States Accreditation

Evolving from its origins as Adelphi Academy, Adelphi University was chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York in 1896. It is considered the oldest private institution of higher education on Long Island.

Adelphi was first accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) in 1921 and most recently reaffirmed in 2019. Accreditation is a peer review process that ensures colleges, universities, and educational programs meet established quality standards.

Accreditation by Middle States—a global institutional accreditor for over 500 institutions of higher education—is a hallmark of academic excellence and institutional integrity. Accreditation affirms that we meet rigorous standards for student learning, faculty quality, and operational effectiveness and validates the high value of an Adelphi degree. Additionally, accreditation is required for our students to be eligible for federal financial aid.

Self-Study

Whether an institution is seeking its first accreditation or taking steps to reaffirm its accreditation—as Adelphi is—a self-study is a mandatory process. In Spring 2025, Adelphi began its self-study process in preparation for re-accreditation in 2027.

The Self-Study is a comprehensive and collaborative review of Adelphi University’s accomplishments, innovations and growth over the past seven years. It will also address potential future challenges and opportunities. The ultimate goal is for the Self-Study to

paint a picture of where Adelphi University currently stands, how it fulfills its mission and serves its constituents both currently and in the future.

Guided by MSCHE’s seven standards, the self-study process involves the entire community and provides a holistic evaluation of the University by its students, faculty, staff, and administration.

Your input—whether through surveys, focus groups, or feedback—is essential for us to document your experience with Adelphi’s dedication to academic excellence and institutional integrity.

Key Phases and Timeline

September 2024: Middle States Steering Committee co-chairs were selected.
January 2025: Middle States working groups and committees were finalized.
March 26, 2025: Visit from Adelphi’s Middle States Liaison, Dr. Ryan Hartnett, vice president for institutional field relations.
August 2025 – September 2026: There will be numerous opportunities for the community to participate in and contribute to the self-study.
September 2026: The first draft of our self-study document will be available on a password-protected intranet for community feedback.
March/April 2027: Adelphi will host the MSCHE evaluation team at Adelphi.
June 2027: Adelphi will receive accreditation information and recommendations from the commission. These will be communicated to the Adelphi community.

Accreditation FAQs

As Adelphi prepares for its Middle States re-accreditation, here is some information about how accreditation impacts the education that colleges and universities provide.

What is accreditation?

Who accredits colleges and universities?

What is “Middle States?”

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) is a global institutional accreditor for over 500 higher education institutions, including Adelphi University. The Commission’s accreditation process ensures institutional accountability, self-appraisal, improvement, and innovation through peer review and the rigorous application of standards.

Middle States accreditation is a hallmark of academic excellence and institutional integrity. It ensures that we meet rigorous standards for student learning, faculty quality, and operational effectiveness.

How is a school accredited?

Colleges and universities undergo a rigorous review process, including self-assessment, peer review, and meeting specific academic and institutional standards.
At Adelphi, reaccreditation begins with a self-assessment called a self-study that is led by a steering committee and a variety of working groups and teams that are responsible for demonstrating how Adelphi has met MSCHE standards across institutional priority areas aligned with Momentum 2, our strategic plan for 2022–2027.

It culminates in a site visit by an MSCHE Evaluation Team made up of peer evaluators who are higher education professionals at other institutions.

What is the Self-Study Process?

How is the Adelphi community involved in the Self-Study Process?

Why is accreditation important?

Accreditation validates the value of a degree from an institution by affirming that the institution is committed to continuous improvement and high academic standards. Accreditation assures students and employers that a college or university provides a quality education, but it is also important because:

Federal financial aid is only available to students attending accredited institutions.
Accredited schools typically accept credits only from other accredited institutions.
Employers often prefer degrees from accredited institutions, as they demonstrate a standardized quality of education.

How to Participate

Faculty, staff, and students will have opportunities to participate in the self-study process through partnership with our working groups, attending informational town halls, offering feedback on the eventual draft of our self-study, and sharing your input via provided channels.