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Since the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) implemented its new accreditation standards, a wide range of Standard III (Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience) issues have been flagged for further reporting in conjunction with the Annual Institutional Update (AIU).

Standard III states:

An institution provides students with learning experiences that are characterized by rigor and coherence at all program, certificate, and degree levels, regardless of instructional modality. All learning experiences, regardless of modality, program pace/schedule, level, and setting are consistent with higher education expectations.

Standard III covers academic programs, the delivery of student learning experiences, resources provided for the student learning experience, general education, and assessment. The most commonly cited issues are:

• Assessment (periodic assessment of the effectiveness of General Education or online programs): 43% of citations
• General Education (sufficient scope or sufficient scope to draw students into new areas of intellectual experience: 29% of citations
• Faculty/other professionals are sufficient in number: 14% of citations
• Faculty/other professionals have sufficient opportunities and resources: 14% of citations
• Faculty/other professionals are regularly and equitably reviewed: 14% of citations
• Distance education courses are designed/delivered/assessed with faculty who receive sufficient resources: 14% of citations
• Consistent rigor, coherence, and instruction quality regardless of instructional modality: 14% of citations