July 16, 2024
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) is pleased to announce it has received its decennial accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
NECHE is a voluntary, peer-based, non-governmental membership association that promotes
educational excellence and quality assurance to its more than 200 members, all of
which are degree-granting, post-secondary institutions. NECHE, through its membership,
has established rigorous Standards for Accreditation to ensure quality, innovation,
and student success across the evolving higher education landscape. The Commission
itself consists of faculty and administrators from affiliated institutions as well
as public members who have no institutional affiliation.
MCLA submitted its 10-year accreditation report (Self-Study) in October of 2023, documenting
its work to provide a high-quality, affordable, public liberal arts education. The
content responds directly to the nine standards outlined by the Commission for all
institutions undergoing reaccreditation.
The Self-Study was the outcome of two years of careful, thoughtful work, with input from more than 70 members of the campus community. The Study covered everything from MCLA’s mission and purpose to our academic program and student profile, to our physical plant and financial strength. In the Self-Study, we describe the ways in which we meet the standards, identify areas of progress and improvement, and offer plans to continue moving the College forward in the next 10 years.
As part of the accreditation process, a NECHE team visited campus from November 5-8, 2023. The College received a formal accreditation letter in May of 2024, which can be viewed in its entirety at this link: NECHE Accreditation (mcla.edu).
Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are proud to say MCLA has emerged stronger, as an institution on the move. We continue to ascend in the U.S. News rankings in alignment with our mission, rising to the Top College for Social Mobility in the state, #2 in the country for public institutions, and #22 for national liberal arts colleges. MCLA remains on the list of Top Public Liberal Arts Colleges at #7.
About MCLA
At MCLA, we’re here for all — and focused on each — of our students. Classes are taught
by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive
on every level of their lives. In nearly every way possible, the experience at MCLA
is designed to elevate our students as individuals, leaders, and communicators, fully
empowered to make their impressions on the world. In addition to our 129-year commitment
to public education, we have fortified our commitment to equitable academic excellence.
MCLA has appeared on U.S. News’ list of Top Ten Public Colleges for nine consecutive
years, ranking No. 7 for Liberal Arts Schools in the nation for a third year. The
College's continued commitment to affordable education and economic prosperity is
reflected in its inclusion on U.S. News' list of National Liberal Arts Colleges for
Social Mobility since the organization adopted this ranking in 2019; MCLA is No. 1
in the state, No. 2 in the country, and No. 22 for National Liberal Arts Colleges.
These rankings measure how well schools graduate students who receive Federal Pell
Grants. Learn more at www.mcla.edu.
