NECHE-Accredited
Merrimack College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.).
Invitation for Public Comments
Accredited Institutions
Merrimack College will undergo a comprehensive evaluation visit from November 7-10, 2021 by a team representing the New England Commission of Higher Education (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, NEASC).
The New England Commission of Higher Education is one of seven accrediting commissions in the United States that provide institutional accreditation on a regional basis. Accreditation is voluntary and applies to the institution as a whole. The Commission, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, accredits approximately 220 institutions in the six-state New England region as well as several American- style institutions overseas.
Merrimack College has been accredited by the Commission since 1953 and was last reviewed in 2011. Its accreditation by the Commission encompasses the entire institution.
For the past year and a half, Merrimack College has been engaged in a process of self-study, addressing the Commission’s Standards for Accreditation. An evaluation team will visit the institution to gather evidence that the self-study is thorough and accurate. The team will recommend to the Commission a continuing status for the institution. Following a review process, the Commission itself will take the final action.
The public is invited to submit comments regarding the institution to:
Public Comment on Merrimack College
New England Commission of Higher Education
3 Burlington Woods Drive, Suite 100
Burlington, MA 01803-4514
E-mail: info@neche.org
Public Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution. The Commission cannot settle disputes between individuals and institutions, whether those involve faculty, students, administrators, or members of other groups. Comments will not be treated as confidential and must include the name, address, and telephone number of the person providing the comments.
Public Comments must be received by November 10, 2021. The Commission cannot guarantee that comments received after that date will be considered.
Accreditation
Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Commission indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality periodically applied through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation.
Accreditation by the Commission is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.
Inquiries regarding the accreditation status by the Commission should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution. Individuals may also contact:
New England Commission of Higher Education
3 Burlington Woods Drive, Suite 100
Burlington, MA 01803-4514
781-425-7785 | email: info@neche.org
Specialized Accreditations
In addition to institutional accreditation, a number of degree programs in specialized fields or disciplines have either received specialized accreditation from national professional organizations or have been granted approval by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Listed below are the programs that currently have specialized accreditation or state approval.
Athletic Training
- Accrediting Agency: Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
- The undergraduate athletic training program at Merrimack College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. The program is currently applying to CAATE for a change in level of degree.
- Department of Athletic Training website
- Master of Science in Athletic Training website
Baccalaureate Programs in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Accrediting Agency: American Chemical Society
- The baccalaureate programs offered by the department of chemistry and biochemistry are approved by the American Chemical Society. This approval is based upon a regular review of a number of areas (including the curricula offered by the department, the faculty/staff in the department and the equipment available for use by faculty and students) by the ACS Committee on Professional Training. Approval ensures that students receive a broad-based and rigorous chemistry education that provides students with the skills necessary to become successful scientific professionals.
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry website
Education
- Approving Agency: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
- The School of Education and Social Policy Teacher Education Programs offers multiple undergraduate and graduate programs that have been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which participates in the Interstate Certification Compact of the National Association of State Directors of Teachers Education.
- School of Education and Social Policy website
Engineering Programs
Civil Engineering
- Accrediting Agency: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (http://www.abet.org)
- Criteria: Civil Engineering
- Our Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (http://www.abet.org).
- Department of Civil Engineering Website
Electrical Engineering
- Accrediting Agency: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (http://www.abet.org)
- Criteria: Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Our Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (http://www.abet.org).
- Department of Electrical Engineering website
Mechanical Engineering
- Accrediting Agency: Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (http://www.abet.org)
- Criteria: Mechanical Engineering
- Our Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (http://www.abet.org).
- Department of Mechanical Engineering website