ACCREDITATION
Franklin Pierce University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. (NEASC), a non-governmental, nationally recognized organization whose affiliated institutions include elementary schools through collegiate institutions offering postgraduate instruction.
In March of 1999, Franklin Pierce University (then chartered as a college) was accorded full accreditation by NEASC for its undergraduate degree program for the maximum period of ten years. In addition, the College was approved for the next higher degree-granting authority --the Master's level--also for a ten-year period.
Accreditation of an institution by the New England Association indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality periodically applied through a peer group review process. An accredited school or college 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 New England Association is not partial; it applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of the quality of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to the students who attend the institution.
Inquiries regarding the status of an institution’s accreditation by the New England Association should be directed to the administrative staff of the College. Individuals may also contact the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, The Sanborn House, 15 High Street, Winchester, Massachusetts 01890, 617.729.6762.
ACCUMULATED ACCREDITATION & APPROVALS
The Franklin Pierce University business programs are completing a comprehensive Outcomes Assessment Plan with anticipated submission to IACBE by March 31, 2012. A site visit by representatives of IACBE is planned on or before June 30, 2012. At the approval of IACBE Board of Governors for the Outcomes Assessment Plan and the site visit, Franklin Pierce University business programs may submit an application for accreditation candidacy by early 2013. Once the University is accepted for accreditation candidacy, the business programs will prepare a self-study in application for accreditation.
Doctoral
Doctor of Arts in Leadership Studies received approval for accreditation continuance from the New Hampshire Department of Education, Division of Higher Education, Higher Education Commission after completion of a self-study and site visit in spring 2012.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) until 2016. “The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) is an accrediting agency that is nationally recognized by the US Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CAPTE grants specialized accreditation status to qualified entry-level education programs for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.” http://www.capteonline.org/home.aspx All accredited programs submit an Annual Report on December 1 of each year. Franklin Pierce University files Compliance Reports as required.
Master's
Master of Physician Assistant Studies:
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation - Continued to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program sponsored by Franklin Pierce University. Continued accreditation is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. Continued Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be September 2017.
The Graduate Teacher Education Program (GTEP) is seeking re-approval from the New Hampshire Department of Education, Division of Higher Education, Higher Education Commission. GTEP received full five year approval in 2007. A Memorandum of Understanding is due February 27, 2012 with a visit in a hybrid format with Taskstream submission is scheduled March 26, 2012.
Nursing
The Master of Science in Nursing program (MSN) is a candidate for accreditation by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30326, phone: (494).975.5000.
The Baccalaureate Nursing program (R.N. to B.S.) is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc. at 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326, (494) 975-5000.
AUTHORIZATION
The University was chartered as Franklin Pierce College by the State of New Hampshire on November 14, 1962, under the provisions of Chapter 292 R.S.A. In 1965, the State Legislature granted the College statutory authority to grant baccalaureate degrees.
The University is approved by the New Hampshire Postsecondary Education Commission, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, the Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education.
Certification in elementary, secondary and art teacher education is approved by the New Hampshire State Department of Education.
The University is approved for veterans by the New Hampshire Department of Education, Post Secondary Division, Education Approving Agency.
