What is the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)?
Located in Burlington, MA, the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) was formerly part of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, but was organized separately and independently in 2018, with the purpose to accredit colleges and universities in the New England states.
What States Does NECHE Accredit in?
NECHE accredits in the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. They also accredit institutions in Greece, as well as several institutions in Switzerland, Lebanon, Bulgaria, Bermuda and Morocco.
What are the Standards for NECHE Accreditation?
According the neche.org, their official web site, NECHE Standards for Accreditation is that the institution:
- “has clearly defined purposes appropriate to an institution of higher learning;
- Has assembled and organized those resources necessary to achieve its purposes;
- Is achieving its purposes;
- Has the ability to continue to achieve its purposes.”
How are Institutions Accredited by NECHE?
Institutions within the six New England States must meet the NECHE Requirements of Affiliation. The institution must first achieve “pre-accreditation”.
The length of the process time from here depends on a number of factors, such as how long the institution has been in operation.
For those abroad, among other things, according to the NECHE web site, the institution should “…be American-style,” independent (non-governmental), have offerings comparable to those offered in the U.S. and that the staff have significant experience in American higher education.
Who Comprises the NECHE Commission?
The twenty-seven members of the NECHE Commission are comprised of faculty, senior administrators and trustees from member institutions. The members are selected by member colleges and universities and serve for no more than two consecutive terms.
The NECHE web site provides a list of the current Commissioners.
What Does NECHE Provide to Students?
The NECHE web site provides information about closed schools, loan repayment, transferring credits, accreditation proof for job applications, as well as a forum for submitting comments and complaints.
What is NECHE’s Mid-Course Review?
The Mid-Course review occurs at the fifth year of the ten-year standards review cycle, during which the Commission shall, according to their web site, “…engage in an examination of application of the Standards for Accreditation to assure that these criteria have proven to be valid and reliable indicators of institutional quality.”
Contact Information
NEW ENGLAND COMMISSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION (NECHE)
301 Edgewater Place, Suite 210, Wakefield, MA 01880
NECHE direct line: 781-425-7785