NECHE Re-Accreditation

Invitation for Public Comment

Bay Path University will undergo a comprehensive evaluation visit on March 15-18, 2026, by a team representing the New England Commission of Higher Education (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, NEASC).

The New England Commission of Higher Education is a U.S. accrediting commission that provides institutional accreditation. 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 United States as well as American-style institutions overseas.

Bay Path University has been accredited by the Commission since 1965, and was last reviewed in 2016. Its accreditation by the Commission encompasses the entire institution. For the past year and a half, BPU 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 (name of institution) 
New England Commission of Higher Education
301 Edgewater Place, Suite  210
Wakefield, MA 01880
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 March 18, 2026. The Commission cannot guarantee that comments received after that date will be considered.

NECHE Re-Accreditation

Bay Path University is proudly accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), an institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Established in 1885, NECHE promotes educational excellence and quality assurance among its over 200 member institutions in New England and around the country and internationally.

Accreditation has two fundamental purposes - to assure the quality of the institution or program, and to assist in the improvement of the institution or program. The NECHE Accreditation Process consists of three distinct components: institutional self-study, visiting team on-site evaluation, and commission review and action.

Between 2024 and 2026, Bay Path University engaged in a comprehensive review of compliance with the Standards for Accreditation, which resulted in an institutional Self-Study. In March 2026, Bay Path will welcome a Visiting Team of colleagues from peer institutions, who will review the Self-Study and meet with members of our community to gain a deeper understanding of our institution. The visit will conclude with a report from the team on the strengths and areas of concern resulting in a formal recommendation to NECHE.

Bay Path University’s most recent Self-Study for reaccreditation in 2016 resulted in continued accreditation by NECHE.