Syracuse University has formally begun the process of seeking reaccreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The critical endeavor, which includes rigorous self-study and peer evaluation, ensures the University meets and exceeds high standards of educational excellence.

Some 140 faculty, staff and students from across campus are now working on the self-study portion of the process, which entails a comprehensive review of the University’s academic and co-curricular programs and functional operations through evidence compiled by the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and other units.

Under the purview of a steering committee co-chaired by Julie Hasenwinkel, associate provost for academic programs, and Katherine McDonald, associate vice president for research, seven working groups are focused on the Standards for Accreditation and Requirements for Affiliation outlined by MSCHE: Mission and Goals; Ethics and Integrity; Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience; Support of the Student Experience; Institutional Effectiveness; Planning, Resources and Institutional Improvement; and Governance, Leadership and Administration. The standards are designed to be holistic.

“The self-study process provides an opportunity to step back and reflect on who we are as an institution,” Hasenwinkel says. “It’s not just about compliance; it’s about institutional improvement. The process gives us a structured framework to examine our strengths and identify areas where we can do even better.”

Timeline

The reaccreditation process began last semester, with the completion of a self-study design that has since been approved by MSCHE, and a visit to campus by Tiffany Lee, then MSCHE’s vice president for institutional field relations, who reviewed the design and provided general guidance.

The working groups were convened and began work last month and will produce draft reports by the end of the semester. Those reports will then be compiled and synthesized to create a draft self-study report.

That report will be made available to the entire University community in Fall 2026. At that time, an open comment period will include multiple opportunities for stakeholders to provide feedback before the self-study is finalized. This ensures that the report will be “a true reflection of the entire community,” McDonald says.

“Our success in this process will require engagement from everyone on campus,” she says.

A final self-study report will be submitted to MSCHE in December 2026. In March 2027, a group of peer evaluators from other MSCHE-accredited institutions will visit campus, review evidence and meet with key campus leaders and constituencies. A final determination will be made by MSCHE in June 2027.

The University was most recently reaccredited in 2018.

Importance of Accreditation

MSCHE accreditation serves as a vital seal of quality assurance and demonstrates the University’s commitment to accountability and ongoing enhancement of the educational mission.

The designation is particularly crucial for students, because it ensures their degrees will be recognized and respected by employers, graduate schools and professional licensing boards. As the reaccreditation process provides a framework for identifying strengths and areas for improvement, it ultimately drives innovation and ensures that a Syracuse University education remains relevant and effective in preparing students for the future.