The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools is a regional accrediting agency of schools, colleges, and universities, and serves the states of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Canal Zone, and some overseas locations. In this publication are included its policy statements and procedures for higher education institutions, along with some advisory papers. The policy statements cover the matters of: characteristics of excellence; candidacy for accreditation; code of good practice in accrediting; institutional responsibilities; institutional integrity; special programs and off-campus activities; substantive change; specialized institutions and programs; U.S. institutions outside the U.S.; contractual relations with non-regionally-accredited institutions; study abroad; programs on military bases; liaison with the commission; institutional disruption; and dues and fees for membership. Evaluation procedures and administrative and functional procedures are detailed. Advisory papers are appended on: the master's degree; accreditation of graduate work; functions of boards of trustees; conditions and responsibilities of professional employment; teacher education in the liberal arts colleges; the Middle States evaluation and accreditation process, in both English and Spanish; how to use an evaluation report; suggestions for preparing a followup report; consultants for employment by institutions; and transfer students. (MSE)