MSCHE Accreditation Overview

● Active Accreditation Project

MSCHE Accreditation
Overview & Reference

University of Mid-Florida — All materials, evidence requirements, and processes for achieving Middle States Commission on Higher Education accreditation under the 15th Edition Standards.

Commission Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Edition 15th — Effective July 1, 2026

Working Folder C:\...\Clients\UMF\MSCHE\

Reference www.msche.org ↗

Standards

Compliance Items

Exhibits

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What This Folder Contains

Files and folders in C:\Users\dvald\Business\Clients\UMF\MSCHE\

File / Folder	Purpose
MSCHE_Accreditation_Checklist.xlsx	Master checklist — 53 compliance items across all 5 standards with live COUNTIF dashboard, response guides, and status tracking
MSCHE_Exhibits_Guide.html	Exhibits guide — Step-by-step instructions for completing each of the 57 exhibits
Exhibits\	Exhibit folders — One per standard; file all evidence documents here
Standards\	Source PDFs — 15th Edition Standards + Evidence Expectations by Standard Guidelines
build_checklist_v2.py	Python script that generated the checklist — re-run to refresh the xlsx
MSCHE_Accreditation_Overview.html	This file — overview, key rules, and standard summaries

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The 5 MSCHE Standards at a Glance

Each standard maps to a dedicated tab in the checklist workbook

Mission and Governance

Mission statement, strategic plan, student achievement data; governing body, CEO, administration, bylaws, board minutes

12 items →

Ethics and Integrity

Policies (academic freedom, grievance, COI, employment, compliance), campus climate, federal regulations

9 items →

Design, Delivery, and Assessment of the Student Learning Experience

Credit hours, faculty qualifications, programs, library, distance education, general education; student learning outcomes, assessment, disaggregated data, placement rates

15 items →

Support of the Student Experience

Admissions, financial aid, student services, transfer credit, records, developmental education

7 items →

Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement

Strategic/financial plans, budgets, audits, KPIs, facilities, Title IV compliance

10 items →

TOTAL

All Standards Combined

53 compliance items · 57 exhibits
5 standard tabs + Dashboard

53 items →

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Exhibit Folder Structure

All evidence documents go in Exhibits\ under the matching standard folder

MSCHE\Exhibits\ ├── 1-Mission-Governance\ │ Mission statement, strategic plan, student achievement data, enrollment/HR data, budget alignment │ Bylaws/founding docs, board minutes (4-yr sample), COI policies + disclosures, board member CVs │ CEO credentials + appointment docs, admin org chart + CVs │ ├── 2-Ethics-Integrity\ │ Policies (academic freedom, grievance, COI, employment, DEI, compliance) │ Campus climate surveys, complaint records, SAS/ECAR, identity verification docs │ ├── 3-Design-Delivery-Assessment\ │ Credit hour policies, syllabi, faculty handbook/qualifications, course evaluations │ Program review reports, library data, distance education policies, academic catalog │ SLO matrices, curriculum maps, assessment instruments + results, disaggregated data, placement rates │ ├── 4-Student-Experience-Support\ │ Admissions philosophy, financial aid data, student handbook, DevEd data │ Orientation data, transfer credit policies, FERPA/records policies │ └── 5-Planning-Resources\ Strategic/effectiveness plan, org charts, KPI reports, financial plans (3–5 yr) Annual audits (4 yrs), budget docs, financial ratios, Title IV docs (PPA/ECAR/SAS) Facilities plans, IT plans, deferred maintenance

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Key Evidence Rules

Universal requirements from MSCHE that apply to every exhibit

1

4-Year Minimum

All trend data, samples, audits, and assessments must cover at least four years.
2

Disaggregation Required

Student achievement data must be broken down by relevant populations: race/ethnicity, gender, first-gen, Pell, full/part-time, online vs. on-campus.
3

Cross-Referencing Is Allowed

A single document can be assigned to multiple standards in the MSCHE Evidence Inventory. Do not duplicate files unnecessarily.
4

IPEDS Alignment

Use IPEDS definitions and data wherever specified. Non-IPEDS institutions must explain alternative metrics in the narrative.
5

FERPA / Privacy

Redact all PII before uploading. Follow small-numbers standards when disaggregating data.
6

Evidence ≠ Narrative

Evidence supports the self-study narrative but does not replace it. Each exhibit should be cited and explained in the written report.
7

Federal Regulations

Items marked with a federal regulation citation (34 CFR) have specific compliance verification requirements. These are now integrated into the standard evidence list.

1–5

Standard Summaries

Core focus, key exhibits, and federal regulation citations for each standard

Mission and Governance

12 compliance items · Exhibits 1-1 through 1-37

A clearly defined, collaboratively developed, board-approved mission that drives planning, resource allocation, and curriculum development, with student-achievement goals (retention, graduation, transfer, placement). Governed by a transparent, legally constituted board with fiduciary responsibility, appropriate autonomy, COI policies, and regular self-evaluation; a qualified CEO appointed and evaluated by the board; and a qualified administrative structure with regular performance assessment.

Key Exhibits

1-1 Mission Statement + Board Approval 1-2 Strategic Plan + Mission Crosswalk 1-3 4-Year Student Achievement Data (IPEDS) 1-4 DEI Goals Evidence 1-5 Student Headcount (Disaggregated) 1-6 Budget Alignment Samples 1-7 Bylaws + Articles of Incorporation 1-8 Board Policies + Procedures Manual 1-9 Board Meeting Minutes (4-yr sample) 1-10 Board Member List + CVs + COI Status 1-11 CEO Credentials + Appointment + Evaluation 1-12 Admin Org Chart + Senior Staff CVs

Ethics and Integrity

9 compliance items · Exhibits 2-1 through 2-22

Institution-wide commitment to academic freedom, fair grievance processes, COI avoidance, honest marketing, DEI/accessibility, and full compliance with federal regulations (FERPA, identity verification, public disclosure requirements).

Key Exhibits

2-1 Academic Freedom + IP Policies 2-3 Campus Climate Survey + Results 2-7 4-Year Complaint Records Log 2-8 COI Policy + Disclosures 2-17 Accreditation Status (SAS) + URLs 2-20 Student Identity Verification Policy

Federal Regulations

34 CFR §668.43 34 CFR §668.45 34 CFR §602.16 34 CFR §602.17 34 CFR §602.23

Design, Delivery, and Assessment of the Student Learning Experience

15 compliance items · Exhibits 3-1 through 3-45

Rigorous, coherent programs with appropriate credit hours, qualified faculty in sufficient numbers, clearly published program requirements, adequate library resources, and quality assurance for distance education — paired with clearly stated, measured student learning outcomes at institutional and program levels, systematic faculty-led assessment, and use of disaggregated results to improve educational effectiveness.

Key Exhibits

3-1 Credit Hour Policy (all modalities) 3-2 Sample Syllabi 3-3 Faculty/Staff Handbook 3-4 Faculty Qualifications Table 3-5 Academic Catalog (URL) 3-6 Library Holdings (IPEDS) 3-7 Distance Education Policies 3-8 SLO Matrix (ILO ↔ PLO mapping) 3-9 Curriculum Maps by Program 3-10 Institutional Assessment Plan 3-11 Most Recent Assessment Reports 3-12 4-Year Disaggregated Assessment Results 3-13 Placement Rates by Program

Federal Regulations

34 CFR §668.8(k)/(l) 34 CFR §602.22(a)(3)(J) 34 CFR §668.43(a)(12)

Support of the Student Experience

7 compliance items · Exhibits 4-1 through 4-23

Ethical admissions and recruiting, clear financial aid information, support for underprepared students, orientation/advising/counseling, processes to enhance completion and transfer, fair transfer credit policies, secure student records, and FERPA compliance.

Key Exhibits

4-1 Admissions Philosophy + Policy 4-2 Admissions Profile (IPEDS) 4-5 Student Handbook 4-7 Financial Aid Disclosures + Net Price 4-13 Disaggregated Achievement Data 4-17 Transfer Credit + Articulation Agreements 4-21 FERPA + Student Records Policy

Federal Regulations

34 CFR §602.24(e) 34 CFR §668.43(a)(11) 34 CFR §668.43(a)(1-4)

Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement

10 compliance items · Exhibits 5-1 through 5-33

Integrated strategic and financial planning, evidence-based budgeting, adequate resources at all locations, annual independent financial audits, responsible fiscal management, comprehensive facilities and IT planning, and Title IV compliance.

Key Exhibits

5-8 KPI Reports (Board + Leadership Review) 5-13 Current FY Budget 5-14 3–5 Year Financial Plan 5-18 Financial Ratios + CFI (4 yrs) 5-20 Annual Audits (4 most recent) 5-30 Title IV: PPA, SAS, ECAR, CDR

Federal Regulations

34 CFR §602.16(a)(1)(x) OMB Circular A-133 / 2 CFR 200 Subpart F

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How to Use the Checklist

Step-by-step workflow for MSCHE_Accreditation_Checklist.xlsx

1

Open the Checklist

Open MSCHE_Accreditation_Checklist.xlsx. Start with the Dashboard tab to see overall readiness, then work through each Std tab (I through VII).
2

Update Status Dropdowns

Work through each row and update the Status column (column H). The Dashboard updates live via COUNTIF formulas as you mark items.

Not Started In Progress Missing Ready N/A
3

Assign Owners and Target Dates

Fill in the Responsible Party (column I) and Date Verified (column J) for each compliance item. One owner per row — accountability drives completion.
4

File Documents in Exhibit Folders

Save completed evidence in Exhibits\[Standard]\ using the exact file name shown in column G (Evidence File Path). Update the Exhibits Index tab status to Ready once filed.
5

Upload to MSCHE Portal

Upload exhibits to the MSCHE Evidence Inventory portal, organized by standard, criterion, and requirement number. If one document covers multiple standards, note all in the Notes column and upload once.
6

Prepare Oral Responses

Use the Suggested Response Guide column (column F) in each Std tab to prepare scripted responses to evaluator questions. Replace all [BRACKETED PLACEHOLDERS] with UMF-specific data before the visit.
7

Log Evaluator Notes During the Visit

Use the Evaluator Notes tab during the evaluation visit to capture all questions asked, responses given, and any follow-up items requested by the evaluators in real time.

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Related Files in the UMF Folder

Documents elsewhere in the project that may serve as MSCHE evidence

File	Location	Applicable Standards
Course programs, syllabi	`Clients\UMF\Courses\`	III
DEAC compliance task tracker	`Clients\UMF\DEAC Compliance\`	III V
Institutional policies	`Clients\UMF\Policies\`	I II III IV
HMA investigation / audit results	`Clients\UMF\Investigation\`	II IV
Work logs and client reports	`Clients\UMF\Work Logs\`	VI
Operations / onboarding documents	`Clients\UMF\Operations\`	IV
FERPA / Student Records Policy (UASP-515.1)	`Clients\UMF\Policies\`	II IV

Sources: MSCHE Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation, 15th Edition; Evidence Expectations by Standard Guidelines (effective July 1, 2026) · Checklist: MSCHE_Accreditation_Checklist.xlsx · Exhibits Guide: MSCHE_Exhibits_Guide.html · Last Updated: May 2026