Institutional Accreditation
Empire State University is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE or the Commission), www.msche.org. Empire State University’s accreditation status is Accreditation Reaffirmed. The Commission’s most recent action on the institution’s accreditation status on June 25, 2020 was to reaffirm accreditation. MSCHE is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education to conduct accreditation and pre-accreditation (candidate status) activities for institutions of higher education, including distance, correspondence education, and direct assessment programs offered at those institutions. The Commission’s geographic area of accrediting activities is throughout the United States.
Contact
Eileen McDonnell, M.S.
Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness & Planning
Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO)
Office of Institutional Effectiveness
eileen.mcdonnell@sunyempire.edu
(518) 587-2100, ext. 2299
MSCHE Accreditation Standards Overview - 14th Edition (PDF 98kB)
The 2027-2028 reaccreditation process is an essential part of ensuring our institution’s continuous improvement and adherence to the standards set by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). This section contains information about our preparation, timelines, and key milestones for the upcoming reaccreditation review, including updates on the self-study, peer evaluation, and compliance with MSCHE's accreditation standards. Stay informed about how we are working to maintain excellence in education and institutional integrity through this ongoing process.
Visit our 2027-2028 Reaccreditation Process web page to learn more.
Our Path to 2028
Major stages in developing and completing SUNY Empire’s Self-Study.
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Fall 2026 – Developing Outlines and Chapter Drafts
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October 2026: Chapter Outlines due.
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December 2026: Initial chapter drafts due.
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Spring – Summer 2027 – Chapter Development & Peer Review Preparation
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February 2027: MSCHE Team Chair confirmed. Timeline solidified.
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April 2027: Second Chapter Drafts due.
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May - August 2027: Chapter drafts finalized. Peer review preparations are under way.
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Fall 2027 – Bringing the Report Together
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October 2027: Final chapter drafts due.
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November 2027: First integrated Self-Study draft completed and shared with the University community
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Spring 2028 – External Peer Review
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January 2028: Final Self-Study draft is completed.
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Between March-April 2028: Peer Review Team visits campus and meets with the University community groups. Team presents findings at the end of the visit.
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Summer 2028 – MSCHE Response
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June 2028: Receive MSCHE response.
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The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) is an institutional accrediting agency that serves a wide range of public and private higher education institutions throughout the United States, including Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Puerto Rico. MSCHE is committed to ensuring quality education and institutional improvement through its rigorous accreditation standards and peer-review process.
The Office of Institutional Effectiveness partners with colleagues across the university to transform data into meaningful insights that strengthen academic quality, support student success, and advance institutional goals. Through reliable analysis and compliance reporting, we support assessment, accreditation, strategic planning, and a culture of continuous improvement.
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