See our current NECHE accreditation status
UNH Reaffirming its commitment to the NECHE standards
UNH will undergo a comprehensive evaluation visit (October 22-24, 2023), by a team representing the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). NECHE 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.
UNH has been accredited by the Commission since 1929 and was last reviewed in 2018 and before then, 2013. Its accreditation by the Commission encompasses the entire institution (Durham, Manchester, and Concord campuses as well as online programs). For the past year and a half, UNH 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 UNH
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 October 24, 2023. The Commission cannot guarantee that comments received after that date will be considered.
Reflection and self-study during AY 2022-23
Collecting data/information and writing the self-study
The content of the self-study explores and highlights how we meet each of the NECHE standards and our plans for continuous improvement.
For the development of the 2023 self-study, we created a committee of diverse members from across the university to focus on different aspects of the self-study (list of those on committee). We also invited the entire UNH community to submit information for the self-study (by way of an email blast). Teams were convened throughout AY 2022-23 to work on addressing all of the elements of each standard. Each sub-committee had 2 co-chairs: 1 faculty member and 1 administrator. Information assembled from these teams were used for initial drafts which were shared broadly with the entire UNH community, with opportunity for feedback (in English or Spanish). After continued review and feedback across the community, UNH submitted its 2023 self-study.
If you would like to learn more about what the NECHE accreditation site visit involves, see this short slide deck with information. Drafts were subsequently returned to senior leadership for final review.
Examples of data/information collected
Academic Assessment Plans for each degree program.
We have made excellent strides in getting all degree programs to have assessment plans to formalize actively reflecting on their curriculum (using data). We are working to support programs still needing plans, so that by September we can say that all programs have assessment plans. Regardless of approaches to assessment, each program should have a document clarifying the process and certifying the process is completed. This may include documentation in faculty meeting minutes or by a more formalized approach that is dated and archived each year.
In December 2022, all programs needed to have collected data and be prepared to explain what evidence is used in program self-study, to determine how well the program is delivering its academic intentions (e.g., information on student learning outcomes). This will include describing any changes made as a result of the self-study.
Here is a checklist for programs to review the quality of an assessment plan. For resources on program assessment, go here: Assessment SharePoint Site
Syllabi Collection and Review.
We collected and reviewed syllabi from all programs to ensure UNH courses meet the expectations of (1) federal and regional accreditor guidelines; (2) student rights, rules, and responsibilities; and (3) (if applicable) discovery and writing intensive course guidelines. This aggregate report summarizes the ways in which UNH syllabi are, and are not, including necessary elements. In Fall 2023, a committee within Faculty Senate will be proposing an approach to ensure the necessary elements are included for all courses.
Archived University of New Hampshire NECHE/NEASC reports are available online. NECHE is the federally recognized regional accreditor for the six New England states.
