Early in 2023, Rensselaer initiated our self-study process for institutional accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The self-study accreditation process provides us with the opportunity to evaluate our mission and who we are as an institution, and to gather and assess evidence that indicates we are meeting – or exceeding – the rigorous standards set by the Commission. Unlike school-based accreditation for individual disciplines, institutional accreditation, and the seven standards developed by MSCHE, allows us to examine our entire institution holistically. Rensselaer is one of 517 institutions accredited by MSCHE, and we have been accredited by the Commission since 1927, with our accreditation most recently reaffirmed in 2016.
While institutional accreditation is voluntary, it is required in order for students to gain access to federal funds, including student grants and loans. Non-accredited institutions are not eligible to receive federal financial aid.
To accomplish our task, seven working groups were formed in early 2023 to gather evidence that demonstrates Rensselaer’s compliance with criteria for each standard, as well as the Commission’s Requirements of Affiliation. Eighty students, faculty, and staff from across the Institute assembled and created and submitted draft reports by January 31, 2024. Campus input is an essential component of an institutional reaccreditation effort. Therefore, during the summer of 2024 the entire campus will have an opportunity to weigh in on the Institute’s report which will be submitted to the Commission by the end of 2024 in advance of their evaluation visit during spring 2025.
Our accreditation process is led by co-chairs Dr. Keith Moo-Young, Vice Provost and Dean, Undergraduate Education, and Dr. Emily Liu, Professor and Department Head, Industrial and Systems Engineering, with support from Dr. Mohua Bose, Associate Vice Provost for Institutional Effectiveness and Planning.
If you would like additional information regarding our Middle States accreditation, please contact Keith Moo-Young (mooyoh2@rpi.edu), Emily Liu (liue@rpi.edu), or Mohua Bose (bosem@rpi.edu).