AUK First in Kuwait to Earn MSCHE Candidacy for Accreditation
The American University of Kuwait (AUK) was granted Candidate for Accreditation Status by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) on March 12, 2026, as announced by MSCHE. MSCHE is a leading accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, accrediting over 500 institutions, including prestigious universities like Princeton and NYU.
This candidacy affirms AUK’s commitment to high academic standards and indicates progress toward full accreditation, ensuring AUK students receive education meeting international standards. This follows a November 2025 evaluation where AUK met all seven accreditation standards with no requirements and received four commendations for transparency, institutional culture, general education quality, and student support.
AUK is the first in Kuwait to achieve MSCHE candidacy, joining 16 institutions outside the U.S. affiliated with MSCHE. It is the first new Middle East candidate in over two decades, alongside the American University in Cairo, Beirut, and Sharjah. AUK also holds six U.S. programmatic accreditations, including AACSB and ABET, enhancing its international accreditation portfolio.
Dr. Aseel Alawadhi, President of AUK, stated:
“This candidacy reflects what AUK has built over the past two decades: strong academic programs, dedicated faculty, and a genuine commitment to our students. As the first institution in Kuwait to reach this stage with MSCHE, we are proud of what this achievement says about the quality of our Liberal Arts education at AUK.”
