St. John Fisher University Receives Reaccreditation from Middle States Commission

July 27, 2025

St. John Fisher University has received reaccreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), affirmation of Fisher’s commitment to delivering transformational educational experiences in a collaborative and inclusive learning community. The Commission reaffirmed Fisher’s accreditation at its June 2025 meeting.

An aerial view of St. John Fisher University in the fall.

“Accreditation serves as confirmation that the University is actively living out its mission to prepare graduates who lead both their professional and personal lives with purpose and integrity, and have a meaningful impact in their communities. It also reflects our significant achievements as an institution, driven by the dedication of our faculty and staff and the success of our students and alumni,” said Dr. Gerard J. Rooney, president of the University. “This is a milestone accomplishment for our University.”

Fisher’s reaccreditation efforts began in fall 2022. Over the course of a year, a steering committee and seven working groups led by and comprised of nearly 80 members of the campus community developed a comprehensive self-study report. This past spring, Fisher hosted a Middle States Peer Evaluation Team visit, the culminating phase of the accreditation process.

In addition to the Middle States Commission, several of Fisher’s Schools and academic programs have also achieved professional accreditation in their respective disciplines. Most recently, the Wegmans School of Nursing, Wegmans School of Pharmacy, and School of Business have each achieved reaccreditation. The School of Nursing earned a full 10-year reaccreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and its newly launched Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia and Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner earned full five-year accreditation through the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. The Wegmans School of Pharmacy received re-accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education for a full eight years. The School of Business earned reaccreditation from the Accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business; less than six percent of business schools hold this accreditation globally.

Fisher’s Middle States reaccreditation comes on the heels of a decade of forward momentum as an institution. In 2022, Fisher was recognized by New York State as a university in recognition of its continued programmatic development and achievement. This fall, the University will mark the successful completion of the largest fundraising campaign in its history, raising more than $130 million, well-exceeding its original goal of $75 million. Fisher will also celebrate the grand re-opening of the newly renovated and modernized Lavery Library, which at $38 million, is the largest capital project in scope and investment in the institution’s history.

Fisher’s personalized learning experience—the student to faculty ratio is 11:1—and strong alumni base create a network of support for students, from their first year and beyond. Across the University, a student-centered focus and emphasis on engaged classroom learning are bolstered by internship opportunities, experiential learning, international experiences, and a suite of academic and career planning resources that develop students into graduates who lead with purpose, integrity, and impact.

Fisher’s next Middle States self-study evaluation will take place during the 2032-2033 academic year.