New England Association of Schools and College, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
The New England Association of Schools and College's Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (NEASC CIHE) is one of the six main regional accrediting agencies for higher education in the United States. The Commission accredits institutions of higher learning in:
- Rhode Island
- Massachusetts
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- Connecticut
It is a recognized as an accrediting agency by both the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The NEASC CIHE outlines specific Standards for Accreditation that institutions must meet to maintain accreditation, and encourages affiliated institutions to work to improve educational quality on an ongoing basis. The accreditation process helps colleges and universities accomplish this.
Standards for AccreditationThe Standards for Accreditation are organized around eleven qualities that make an institution of higher learning effective. In brief, these eleven attributes include:
- An appropriate mission
- Proper planning and evaluation
- An effective governance structure
- Overall academic program quality
- Faculty competence
- Consistent and appropriate interactions with students and prospective students
- Access to information resources
- Appropriate physical and technological resources
- Sufficient financial resources
- Clear public disclosure of relevant information
- Overall integrity
Within these areas, the NEAS CIHE outlines specific criteria for meeting the standards of quality.
What NEASC CIHE Accreditation MeansAccreditation rests on a thorough assessment that includes both a self-study component and on-site evaluations. The NEASC CIHE actively solicits information from a variety of stakeholders during the review process. Ultimately, accreditation serves the interest of students and the public by ensuring that each institution provides quality educational offerings.
Article ReferencesNEASC CIHE
http://cihe.neasc.org/
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