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 MSA logo | |
 Historical operational area | |
| Abbreviation | MSA-CESS |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1887 |
| Legal status | Association |
| Purpose | Educational accreditation |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Region served | The United States and over 100 other countries world-wide |
Main organ | Board of Trustees |
| Website | msa-cess |
TheMiddle States Association of Colleges and Schools (also referred to as theMiddle States Association orMSA) is anaccreditor in the United States. Historically, it has accredited schools in theMid-Atlantic states region of theNortheastern United States. The peer-based,Philadelphia-basednon-profit association was founded in 1887. It is a voluntary organization that performs peer evaluation and regionalaccreditation ofpublic andprivate schools (includingparochial / religious-owned andindependent secular schools).
The association has two commissions, theMiddle States Commission on Elementary Schools (MSCES) andMiddle States Commission on Secondary Schools (MSCSS). A higher education commission, theMiddle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), operates completely independently of the other two commissions. MSCSS also accredits some institutions that offer postsecondary education but only those that do not confer academic degrees or offer technical programs.[1]
The two Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (M.S.A.-C.E.S.S.) as of 2021[update] accredit nearly 2600public andprivate schools ofelementary andsecondary / high schools, along with the various school systems / districts of cities / towns and counties throughout the United States (especially in its originally designated Middle Atlantic states region) and those of American origin in more than 100 other countries around the world.[2][3]
MSA used to accredit colleges and universities through its higher education commission. In 2013, that commission, theMiddle States Commission on Higher Education, became a legally separate entity.
