Timeline
From start to finish, the Middle States self-study period covers approximately three academic years.
From October 2018 to May 2019, preparation work was completed, which included organizing the approach and necessary leadership; bringing together the Steering Committee and working groups; and completing the Self-Study Design, a document submitted to and approved by Middle States before the study itself begins.
From June 2019 to May 2020, the University community conducted the self-study, identifying the ways in which it meets Middle States Standards for Accreditation in the context of its own mission and goals and answering research questions that view those standards in connection to Villanova’s institutional goals.
Working groups prepared reports for each of the seven standards that include recommendations for continuous improvement, and the Steering Committee completed the first draft of the comprehensive Self-Study Report.
From June 2020 to December 2021, the University community reviews the draft self-study report and hosts a preliminary visit from the Middle States Peer Review Team chair, making any final adjustments needed before it is submitted to Middle States.
The Peer Review Team then visits campus, reviewing and validating the findings of the University's self-study report, meeting with a wide number of individual and groups on campus, and preparing their own report observing our strengths and opportunities for improvement.
These documents are reviewed by the Middle States Commission, which responds with its formal action regarding the University's accreditation status October/December 2021.
Detailed Timeline
| Fall 2018 | ||
|---|---|---|
October |
|
Confirm co-chairs of the self-study |
November |
|
Co-chairs attend MSCHE Self-Study Institute |
December |
|
Confirm Steering Committee members Begin forming composition of working groups |
| Spring 2019 | ||
| January |
|
|
February |
|
Confirm IT collaboration and storage solution Convene meeting of Steering Committee Draft charge and institutional priorities for working groups |
March 2019 |
|
Confirm members of working groups Draft Self-Study Design and Documentation Roadmap Draft communications plan |
April 2019 |
|
Submit draft Self-Study Design and Documentation Roadmap to Liaison Host MSCHE Liaison Self-Study preparation visit Revise Self-Study Design as needed |
May 2019 |
|
Confirm Self-Study Design (with approval from MSCHE) |
| Summer 2019 | ||
| June to August |
|
Launch Villanova’s Middle States Self-Study Website and Self-Study Design Complete gathering of documents Confirm updated Steering Committee and working groups membership |
| Fall 2019 | ||
September |
|
Initiate work of working groups |
October |
|
Working groups complete chapter draft outlines |
December |
|
Work with MSCHE Liaison on selection of Team Chair Working groups complete chapter drafts |
| Spring 2020 | ||
| January |
|
Review first drafts of self-study sections |
February |
|
Host first set of Community Forums for University to update on progress Working groups update chapter drafts based on feedback |
March |
|
Working groups complete revised chapter drafts |
April |
|
Review second drafts of self-study chapters Working groups update chapter drafts based on feedback |
| Fall 2020 | ||
| October |
|
Working groups complete drafts Leadership Team compile final penultimate draft and of complete Self-Study Report |
November |
|
Steering Committee reviews penultimate draft and provides edits and feedback to Leadership Team |
| Spring 2021 | ||
| January |
|
Post penultimate draft on Middle States Self-Study website for comment |
February |
|
Host second set of Community Forums for University to update on progress |
March |
|
Leadership Team update final draft based on community feedback and final Steering Committee Review Submit final draft of Self-Study to MSCHE Chair |
| April | MSCHE Team Chair Virtual Visit | |
| May | Revise Self-Study Report as needed | |
| Fall 2021 | ||
August |
|
Submit final version of Self-Study Report and Verification of Compliance uploaded to MSCHE Portal for Visiting Team review Final Self-Study report posted on Middles States Self-Study |
| September | Host MSCHE Team Visit | |
| October/December | Commission meets to determine action | |