Middle States Commission on Higher Education

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Faculty and Staff

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The University at Buffalo (UB) has maintained continuous accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education since 1921.

UB and Middle States

The University was last reaccredited through the Periodic Review Report in 2009. The next decennial Self-Study Review and site visit is scheduled for 2013-2014. The Self-Study Review enables the University to assess the strengths and weaknesses of current programs and institutional effectiveness against the criteria that comprise its mission and the Standards of Excellence articulated by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. This process promotes continuous program improvement and documentation of student learning outcomes.

UB is committed to providing an excellent education to its undergraduate, graduate, and professional students by continued accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). UB’s accreditation is driven principally by three important considerations:

clear evidence of institutional integrity and effectiveness at all levels of decision-making in furtherance of the university’s core educational purpose,
demonstrable educational effectiveness embedded in an ongoing system for continuous improvement in educational outcomes,
evidence of continuing fiscal soundness as reflected in sustained institutional access to federal funds (Title IV student financial aid).

Standards for Accreditation

To be accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education an institution must provide evidence that it meets the characteristics of excellence and criteria as articulated in the fourteen Standards for Accreditation as described in the links below.

Detailed information is provided in the publication “Characteristics of Excellence in Higher Education: Eligibility Requirements and Standards for Accreditation” published by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Institutional Context

Educational Effectiveness

UB’s Decennial Reaccreditation

Mike Ryan is currently coordinating the decennial reaccreditation process. The self-study is due in Fall of 2013, and the site visit will take place in Spring 2014.

Self Study Design

Reaccreditation Steering Committee

Michael E. Ryan, director, Office of University Accreditation and Assessment (Co-Chair)
Carol M. VanZile-Tamsen, associate director, Office of University Accreditation and Assessment (Co-Chair)
Patricia G. Armstrong, director of admissions
Kathleen K. Bissonnette, coordinator for evaluation, assessment and planning, Office of Student Affairs
Marisha Blattberg, instructional support associate, Office of the Registrar
Kathleen M. Boje, associate professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and vice chair and director of BS Pharmaceutical Sciences Major
Fenice B. Boyd, associate professor, Department of Learning and Instruction
Elaine R. Cusker, associate dean for undergraduate education, Office of the Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education
Stephen C. Dunnett, vice provost for international education
Diane E. Elze, associate professor, School of Social Work
Jeffrey R. Errington, professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Lucinda M. Finley, vice provost for faculty affairs
Howard G. Foster, professor emeritus, School of Management
Krista Hanypsiak, administrative director, University Honors College
John T. Ho, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor, vice provost for graduate education and dean of the graduate school
Perry M. Hogan, professor, Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Jeri Jaeger, associate dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Jean H. Lamarche, associate professor, School of Architecture and Planning
Ann Marie Landel, chair, Professional Staff Senate
Kathleen T. Lucke, associate dean for academic affairs, School of Nursing
Joseph P. Mantione, assistant vice provost, Office of Institutional Analysis
William J. McDonnell, associate dean, School of Architecture and Planning
James S. Nadbrzuch, associate vice president for resource and support services, University Life and Services
Stefanos C. Papazaharias, assistant dean for undergraduate education, College of Arts and Sciences
Kara C. Saunders, university registrar
Eileen C. Sherman, deputy to the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs
Robert G. Shibley, dean, School of Architecture and Planning
Regina S. Toomey, senior associate vice provost and director, Undergraduate Academic Services
John E. Van Benschoten, associate dean for undergraduate education, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Brian Waldrop, director, Student Advisement and Services, College of Arts and Sciences
A. Scott Weber, vice provost and dean of undergraduate education
Claude E. Welch, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor, Department of Political Science
Paul T. Wietig, clinical associate professor, interim director and training program coordinator, Teaching and Learning Center
John J. Wood, associate vice provost for international education
Ezra B. Zubrow, Chair, Faculty Senate.

ACCREDITATION BOARDS BY SCHOOL AND COLLEGE

School of Management

11/14/12

Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) , the School of Management is recognized for its emphasis on real-world learning, community and economic impact, and history of innovation abroad.
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

11/14/12

Accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology (ABET), the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences is the largest and most comprehensive public school of engineering in New York State, offering bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in seven departments
School of Social Work

11/14/12

Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the School of Social Work appears among the top 20 percent of MSW programs nationally in the most recent rankings from the Council on Social Work Education and U.S. News and World Report.
School of Public Health and Health Professions

11/14/12

The School of Public Health and Health Professions offers professional, master's and PhD degrees, and a bachelor's degree in exercise science. In addition to MSCHE accrediation, departmental accrediations include, the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, the Council on Education for Public Health and the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education .
Graduate School of Education

11/14/12

The Graduate School of Education offers master's and doctoral degrees, with study toward New York State teaching certification in 21 fields. Opportunities include independent study and supervised experiences. In addition to MSCHE accrediation, departmental accrediations include, the American Library Association (ALA), the Council on Rehabilitation Education and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council .
Roswell Park Cancer Institute Graduate Division

11/14/12

UB’s Roswell Park Cancer Institute Graduate Division offers five PhD programs and an MS program. They are designed for individuals pursuing careers in cancer research or basic and translational biomedical research.
Law School

11/14/12

Accredited by the American Bar Association SUNY’s only law school, UB Law is among the nation's strongest public law schools. UB Law is a world-class center recognized for excellence in the interdisciplinary study of law.
School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

11/14/12

Founded in 1846, the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences is the founding faculty of the university and one of the oldest medical schools in the United States. In addition to MSCHE accrediation, departmental accrediations include, the Joint Review Committee on Educational Prog in Nuclear Med Tech, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education and the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science .
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

11/14/12

Accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education CE and the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is SUNY's only pharmacy school. It houses one of the world's top graduate programs in pharmaceutical sciences, along with a professional PharmD program that ranks in the top quartile nationally.
School of Dental Medicine

11/14/12

Accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) , the School of Dental Medicine is known for the quality of its DDS and postgraduate programs and its long history of leadership in oral biology research.
School of Nursing

11/14/12

Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs the School of Nursing has the greatest breadth of academic programming among nursing schools in New York State, offering baccalaureate, certificate and master’s degree programs, along with two doctorates.
School of Architecture and Planning

11/14/12

Accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) and the Planning Accreditation Board the School of Architecture and Planning is the only such school in the SUNY system and offers SUNY’s only accredited professional master of architecture (MArch) degree.
College of Arts and Sciences

11/14/12

The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most comprehensive of UB’s academic units, bringing together the humanities, the arts and the sciences to provide a truly comprehensive education. In addition to MSCHE accrediation, departmental accrediations include, the American Chemical Society , the American Psychological Association and the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) .

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PRESENTATIONS

Town Hall for Academic Support Units

11/14/12

On May 16th and 17th the Provost’s Office and the Office of Accreditation and Assessment hosted a Middle States town hall meeting for academic support unit managers and staff to address Middle States expectations for support unit assessment outcomes.
Using Course Assignments and Exams for Assessment: Feasible Methods for Collecting and Managing Assessment Data

11/14/12

This formal presentation will provide information related to incorporating the collection of data for assessment into the framework of existing course activities, such as written assignments and exams.
Assessment Worskhops

11/14/12

On May 14th and 17th the Office of Accreditation and Assessment hosted workshops related to assessment of student learning outcomes for program coordinators and faculty members. These workshops provided more targeted information related to the design of program assessment plans.
Town Hall for Academic Units

11/14/12

On April 18th and 19th presentations were held on both the South and North Campus for Program Assessment and Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes in conjunction with Middle States reaccreditation. Presentation materials are available as well as a recording of the event in case you were not able to attend.
Genteels' Excellence in Teaching Seminar

11/14/12

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No events scheduled.

Contact

Need additional information or assistance? Please contact the Office of University Accreditation and Assessment at 645-3905 or e-mail

ub-aaams@buffalo.edu