Self-Study 2027
In 2018, Suffolk County Community College was affirmed as an accredited institution by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). In Fall 2024, the college is embarking on our reaffirmation of accreditation process with MSCHE. Every eight years, the college participates in a two-year self-study process that concludes with a self-study report and an evaluation team visit. The evaluation team, comprised of members of our peer institutions, will visit the college in spring 2027. Continued institutional accreditation is vital to the college and allows for federal financial funding for our students.
The self-study will include providing evidence that the college meets the Middle States Standard for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation as well as providing an opportunity for the college to demonstrate how it meets its mission and to ensure that we are putting students at the center of everything we do.
What is Accreditation and Why is it Important?
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE), serves as an independent authority in the realm of higher education.
“Accreditation is a process of peer review that the educational community has adopted for its self-regulation since early in the 20th century. It is a voluntary process intended to strengthen and sustain the quality and integrity of higher education, making it worthy of public confidence. Institutions choose to apply for accredited status, and once accredited, they agree to abide by the standards of their accrediting organization and to regulate themselves by taking responsibility for their own improvement.” (2010, Middle States Commission of Higher Education)
Standard I: Mission and Goals Video
Standard II: Ethics and Integrity Video
Standard III: Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience Video
Standard IV: Support of the Student Experience Video
Standard V: Educational Effectiveness Assessment Video
Standard VI: Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement Video
Standard VII: Governance, Leadership, and Administrative Video
Frequently Asked Questions for Middle States Accreditation
Why is accreditation important?
Accreditation means that standards of quality and excellence have been met. The core principles for universities accredited by the Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE) include the diversity of institutions, focus on the student learning experience, emphasis on institutional assessment and assessment of student learning, and continuous institutional improvement and innovation.
Accreditation is required for campuses to be eligible to participate in Title IV federal financial aid programs.
The Self-Study can also provide important recommendations for improvement and innovation, both self-identified by the institution, and recommended by the visiting peer-review Team.
What is the purpose of accreditation?
With the success of students being our highest priority, Suffolk County Community College is committed to continually work to improve its educational programs, resources, facilities, and services. Accreditation includes an extensive evaluation of how well the college’s programs, resources, facilities and services fulfill its mission to foster student success.
The accreditation process takes place every 8 years, and involves two stages of evaluation: a campus-wide Self Study, and an on-site evaluation by a team of experts from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The accreditation process is an opportunity to assess the extent to which we are accomplishing the shared vision of our institution and serves as a point of departure for charting the future direction of Suffolk and building towards a better campus community.
What is Suffolk County Community College's strategic plan?
The Suffolk County Community College Strategic Plan outlines the institutions mission, vision, values, promise and goals.
Who is accrediting Suffolk County Community College?
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) is a voluntary membership association that “defines, maintains, and promotes educational excellence across institutions with diverse missions, student populations, and resources.” As a participating institution, Suffolk engages in a self-study process every 8 years.
What happens during the accreditation visit?
Representatives from MSCHE will hold a series of informational meetings with faculty, staff and students to get their feedback about Suffolk's performance in a variety of areas. Suffolk's three campus centers will also participate.
The MSCHE Team evaluates the analysis in the Self-Study Report and draws on insights gained from their visit interviews. Since the Self-Study Report and On-Site Evaluation Visit result from careful analysis that has incorporated feedback from multiple stakeholders, the Report has the potential to influence institutional decision making for several years.
What are the qualities of a good self study?
According to MSCHE, “The Commission’s accreditation process ensures institutional accountability, self-appraisal, improvement, and innovation through peer review and the rigorous application of standards within the context of institutional mission.”
The Self-Study should be an honest appraisal of the institution, that is evidence-driven, and consistently demonstrates the use of assessment (throughout each standard or chapter). It provides an opportunity to engage multiple stakeholders in an extensive analysis of the college’s strengths and areas for improvement and innovation.
The Evidence Inventory, a cataloged and referenced inventory of documents, processes, and procedures, provides opportunity for the institution to develop sustainable resources that the college should continuously update to document ongoing compliance.