The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) included Colby-Sawyer College’s online Master of Science in Exercise Science (MSES) program within the college’s accreditation in November 2024.
Professor Kerstin Stoedefalke is director of the nine-month asynchronous program that launched in 2023 and has two tracks: applied exercise science and strength and conditioning.
Graduates of the MSES program are currently working with collegiate sports teams and at Dartmouth Health, a long-standing Colby-Sawyer partner that provides world-class medical care.
In addition to granting accreditation to the MSES program, NECHE granted Colby-Sawyer general approval to offer master’s degrees within the scope of its mission because the college has demonstrated its capacity to offer high-quality master’s programs.
“We are delighted that the MSES program has been granted accreditation, a testament to our faculty and staff's hard work and commitment to excellence in education,” said Eden Wales, academic vice president and dean of faculty at Colby-Sawyer.
“This milestone, along with the general approval to launch additional master's level programs, reflects Colby-Sawyer's dedication to providing students with the highest-quality academic experience. We look forward to continuing to empower future leaders in their fields.”
In a letter to Laura Sykes, interim president at Colby-Sawyer, NECHE executive committee member Michaele Whalen wrote that the college has been “strategic and intentional in developing graduate and professional programs that fit with its mission.”
Part of Colby-Sawyer’s mission is to provide programs based in the liberal arts and health, social, and natural sciences, integrating vocational exploration and experiential learning so students are prepared to thrive and make a positive impact in the world.
Master’s degree programs at Colby-Sawyer include a Master of Science in Nursing in three tracks — clinical nurse leader, nursing education and nursing management and executive leadership; Master of Social Work; Master of Business Administration; and 4+1 Master of Business Administration.
NECHE accreditation is a voluntary, nongovernmental process of self-regulation of higher education to assure the public of quality and foster institutional improvement. An accredited institution of higher learning is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation.
Colby-Sawyer earned its initial NECHE accreditation in 1933; its next comprehensive evaluation visit is scheduled for this spring.