Accreditation is about accountability and is intended to
strengthen and sustain the quality and integrity of higher
education by establishing and enforcing standards of
excellence.
Accreditation of educational institutions is a periodic review
process that ensures that the academic programs, operations, and
support services meet minimal standards with regard to the mission
of the institution and the expectations of external constituents.
Accreditation is required for an institution to manage Title IV
federal student aid programs (grants, loans, work-study programs).
The assessment and self-study process that accompanies an
accreditation review enables the institution to identify potential
weaknesses and opportunities for improvement.
In most countries, the function of educational accreditation is conducted by a government agency or organization, such as a ministry of education. In the United States, educational accreditation has long been established as a peer review process coordinated by accreditation commissions and member institutions. The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools is a voluntary, peer-based, non-profit association dedicated to educational excellence and improvement through peer evaluation and accreditation. The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools is one of six regional accrediting organizations for higher education institutions that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the United States Department of Education.
