Worcester State University is fully accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, or NECHE. This regional accrediting body, previously known as NEASC, is responsible for both evaluating the academic quality of higher education institutions and promoting continuous improvement among them. In carrying out its mission, NECHE assures the public, government entities, and other constituents of institutions’ regulatory compliance and adoption of best practices for the delivery of higher education.
Accreditation is an ongoing process that involves, at a minimum, comprehensive evaluations that generally span ten years and include interim evaluations. Comprehensive evaluations are conducted by volunteer teams of colleagues who are charged with both reviewing institutional data and reports and then, in a visit to the institution under review, verifying that the information presented is accurate and in line with NECHE standards, which cover all aspects of institutional operations.
The creation of a comprehensive evaluation self-study is a major undertaking requiring the efforts of the entire campus community. It serves as the primary means by which the institution demonstrates its aspirations, shortcomings, and general satisfaction of accreditation standards. The self-study is the first document evaluation team members will use to become acquainted with the institution, and it will serve as a guide for future accreditation actions that support the institution’s continuous improvement efforts.
This year we initiate our New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) re-accreditation process, just as implementation of our 2020-2025 strategic plan begins in earnest. The timing will permit each to inform the other, strengthening both.Self-Study Steering Committee - Co-Chairs
