Accreditation

Accreditation Cycle

Accreditation Cycle

Annual Institutional Update (AIU)

Each spring, Middle States reviews data regarding Penn State’s institutional characteristics (key institutional contacts, locations, Carnegie classification), enrollment, financial, and information regarding student success (graduation, loan repayment, and default rates).

Midpoint Peer Review (MPPR)

Every 4 years (beginning January 2020), cumulative data and information provided in previous AIUs are reviewed to look for trends in data, provide feedback, make recommendations, and request further information if necessary.

Self Study

This in-depth institutional self-study occurs every 8 years. Peer reviewers conduct an on-site-evaluation to assess Penn State’s compliance with Middle States Standards and Requirements of Affiliation, verify compliance with accreditation-relevant federal regulations, and identify areas needing improvement.  Penn State’s most recent self-study occurred in 2015, and the next will occur in 2023-2024.