Middle States Commission Withdraws Accreditation from The King’s College

Final date of accreditation hinges on June 2 report; College can still appeal

On May 26, The Middle States Commission on Higher Education withdrew accreditation from The King’s College in New York City. The college has been facing serious financial and other problems in recent years. In the decision, the Commission “focused on the institution’s failure to demonstrate the capacity to make required improvements, that it can sustain itself in the short or long term, and the institution being in imminent danger of closing.” Furthermore,

The Commission found the institution failed to document that it achieved and could sustain ongoing compliance with the Commission’s standards for accreditation, requirements of affiliation, policies and procedures, and applicable federal regulatory requirements, including Standard VI (Planning, Resources, and Institutional Improvement), Requirement of Affiliation 11, and Accreditation Actions Policy and Procedures.

While the school can appeal and will remain accredited during any appeal, the Commission’s statement does not appear to offer much hope for a different outcome. The statement also listed other colleges which have “teach out” agreements with TKC, including Houghton College, Messiah College, Cairn University and St. Joseph’s University. These schools will accept credits and students from TKU to allow those students to complete their degrees. Houghton College will maintain transcripts and student records for alumni and students of TKC going forward.

For more information, see the Commission’s website.