The Thomas More College of Liberal Arts has gained academic approval on the state, regional, and national levels.
The College is recognized and approved of by the New Hampshire Postsecondary Education Commission and the Department of Education. Through the Commission, the College has the authority to grant undergraduate and graduate degrees in the State of New Hampshire.
The Thomas More College of Liberal Arts is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. While comprehensive reviews of accredited institutions normally occur every decade, the Commission no longer specifies a term of accreditation.
The College is also a charter member and has maintained program accreditation with the American Academy for Liberal Education.
A Short Institutional History of the Programs, Accreditation, and Degree-granting Authority of Thomas More College of Liberal Arts
1974
The “Thomas More Collegiate Summer Program” is created by Peter Sampo to offer “an introduction to the principles of Catholic collegiate education.”
1977
Peter Sampo sketches an idea of a new college in a two-page document. The college envisioned includes a traditional undergraduate curriculum, a collegiate level high school summer program, and an advanced institute dedicated to understanding and preserving “Christian social structures.” The curriculum of the College has as its first purpose the “knowledge which results from contemplation. Knowledge of this type is necessary for truly human action.”
1978
The Secretary of State of New Hampshire recognizes and approves the “Articles of Agreement” for the Thomas More Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to offer “religious and educational programs designed to help young men and women.”
College-level operations begin with residential rooms in the historic district of Nashua New Hampshire, at 93 Concord St. The enterprise is named the Thomas More Institute of Liberal Arts. In 1980, the Thomas More Institute will accept an initial donation of a colonial farmhouse and barn with a few acres of the old Bowers-Blanchard farm. The farmhouse was restored to provide space for classes, offices, and a dining hall establishing the main the campus of TMI.
1979
The Secretary of State of New Hampshire recognizes and approves amendments to the Thomas More Foundation “Articles of Agreement” to allow “year-long instruction in the arts and sciences.”
1983
Thomas More Institute establishes its Rome program.
1985
The New Hampshire State Legislature allows Thomas More Institute (Thomas More Foundation) to identify itself as a college.
The United States Immigration and Naturalization Service approves Thomas More Institute for admitting foreign students.
1989
The New Hampshire State Legislature authorizes the Thomas More Institute with degree-granting status through HB 458 (1989). Postsecondary Education Commission, the State of New Hampshire (1989) further authorizes Thomas More Institute to “grant degrees, literary titles, honors, and distinctions.”
The Veterans Administration approves the Thomas More Institute for Veterans Benefits.
1990
The Thomas More Foundation changes its name to the Thomas More College of Liberal Arts. The administration and faculty submit Thomas More College’s first Self-Study for Candidacy Status to the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), the oldest accreditation agency in the United States of America.
1991
Thomas More College becomes formally affiliated with NEASC and is granted candidacy status.
1993
Thomas More College becomes Title IV eligible. Thomas More College becomes eligible for Federal Work-Study Programs and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG).
1996
Thomas More College undergoes its first Comprehensive Evaluation for accreditation by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE), NEASC.
1997
Thomas More College is granted accreditation by NEASC and recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
2011
The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) distinguishes Thomas More College with an “A” rating for its curriculum. The College has maintained this rating to the present day.
2018
NEASC (New England Association of Schools & Colleges) and CIHE (Commission for Institutions of Higher Educations) merge and become the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
2023
The Department of Education, New Hampshire approves authority to award an A.A. in Liberal Arts. One month later NECHE approves to accredit the A.A.L.A. degree.
2025
The Department of Education, New Hampshire approves authority to award an M.A. in Liberal Arts.
2026
Thomas More College receives notice of its continued comprehensive accreditation. Its next comprehensive evaluation is scheduled for 2035.
