School Improvement Through Accreditation
Partner with MSA to Enhance Educational Quality, Attract Global Recognition, and Drive Meaningful Change in Your School Community.
What Is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a self-evaluation process that schools and school systems voluntarily use to demonstrate they are meeting a defined set of research-based performance standards. The standards examine schools in a holistic way, supplementing student-testing data to provide a more complete measure of a school’s performance and chart a strategic and realistic course for continuous school improvement.
How Can MSA Accreditation Transform Your Community?
- Open Post-Graduate Opportunities: MSA accreditation prepares students for success by strengthening pathways to top universities, scholarships, and global careers.
- Lead Transformational Change: Equip school leaders with proven strategies to foster innovation and guide your institution through meaningful improvements.
- Stand Out in a Competitive Marketplace: Highlight your school’s exceptional quality and commitment to excellence with internationally recognized accreditation.
- Drive Continuous Growth: Implement tailored plans to enhance academic performance and organizational effectiveness year over year.
Unify Your Community: Foster collaboration among parents, educators, and administrators to achieve shared goals and a stronger school culture.
Who Do We Serve?
We partner with educational institutions worldwide who are committed to educational excellence and continual improvement. These include:
- Public schools
- K-12 independent schools
- Faith-based schools
- International schools
- School systems
- Career and technical schools
- Tutoring centers
- Language schools
- Online education platforms
- Early childhood education centers
- And many more!
How An Organization Becomes Accredited with MSA
- Registration & Application: Register for accreditation and submit your application to begin your school’s journey toward improvement.
- Becoming a Candidate: Host a one-day visit and receive guidance from MSA experts on preparing for the self-study phase.
- Self-Study: Conduct a comprehensive self-evaluation, involving key stakeholders, to identify strengths, areas for growth, and alignment with MSA standards.
- Team Visit & External Review: Host an on-site visit by experienced educators who will validate your self-study findings and submit recommendations for accreditation.
- Accreditation Awarded: Achieve official accreditation status, marking your institution as a trusted and globally respected educational leader. MSA accreditations are valid for seven years.
Depending on the organization and context, this process takes between 15 and 24 months.
What is Covered in Your Standards?
MSA’s accreditation process evaluates your institution holistically, focusing on five core areas that ensure excellence and continuous growth. These are:
- Foundations: Align your mission, core values, and goals with the needs of your school community to create a clear vision for success.
- Governance and Organization: Establish effective leadership, governance structures, and policies to guide decision-making and promote ethical practices.
- Student Well-Being: Create a safe, inclusive environment that prioritizes the physical, emotional, and social development of all students.
- Resources: Optimize financial, human, and physical resources to ensure sustainability and support for educational goals.
- Teaching and Learning: Deliver a rigorous, mission-aligned curriculum that promotes student achievement and prepares learners for future success.
Access our full standards here.
Why Choose MSA?
- Trusted Expertise: For over 130 years, we’ve helped 3,100 schools across 117 countries improve themselves through accreditation. As a team of former school leaders ourselves, we at MSA understand the complexities and struggles of schools.
- One Size Does Not Fit All: Our member schools consist of linguistically and culturally diverse students from around the world. Our accreditation process respects the individual nature, character, and complexity of each school.
- We Are Guides on Your Improvement Journey: MSA is more than an accreditor – we’re your supportive partner throughout the accreditation journey, providing expert guidance, personalized support, and a shared commitment to your success.
- Accreditation for the Future, Not the Past: Artificial intelligence. Mental health. Online learning. Our accreditation and professional development opportunities prepare your community to lead with confidence through uncertainty and ambiguity.
General FAQs
Who is eligible for accreditation?
A school must:
- Be open for at least nine months before starting the application process.
- Have at least one student currently enrolled.
- Be licensed or approved as a school in the country/state of operation.
- Use English as the primary language or one of the primary languages of instruction at a school.
- Submit all documents for accreditation in English.
How long does the process take?
Depending on the organization and context, this process takes between 15 and 24 months.
What support does MSA offer throughout this process?
From start to finish, the MSA team guides you through the accreditation process. You’ll always have someone you can call or email and receive a response within 1-2 business days.
I have questions. Who can I speak with?
Book a call with our Membership team here!
Career and Technical School FAQs
Will my MSA accreditation my organization to receive Title IV funding?
Yes! To maintain this status, you’ll need to submit annual reports to MSA.
What are the required rates for completion, exam pass, and job placement?
To meet requirements, each program must maintain a 70% rate in three areas:
- Completion: At least 70% of students who start the program must finish it.
- Licensing Exam: At least 70% of those who complete the program must pass the exam.
- Job Placement: At least 70% of those who pass the exam must secure a job in the field.
If my career and technical school offers associates degrees, can we be accredited by MSA?
No, MSA only accredits post-secondary institutions that do not offer degrees.
