Accredited Colleges

There is no Federal Ministry of Education in the United States or any other authority which has complete control over postsecondary institutions. Each state has its own somewhat limited control over education, but colleges and universities generally operate with a great deal of independence and autonomy. As a result, American institutions of higher learning can vary widely in character and quality.

The practice of accreditation arose from a desire to ensure at least a basic level of quality for all schools without government interference. Private educational associations, either regional or national in scope, have a list of criteria upon which they base an accreditation.

Following are some of the functions of accreditation which may help you to understand the process and goals of accreditation and also help you appreciate its importance.

• Helping to identify programs and institutions which may receive public and private investments of funds
• Assisting institutions in determining the validity of transfer credits
• Helping prospective students identify acceptable institutions of higher learning
• Verifying that a program or school meets or exceeds established standards
• Involving the faculty of an institution in evaluations and planning

By verifying the standards of an institution, you can be sure that an accredited college or university will offer quality degree programs. By helping you identify which institutions are accredited, you can be certain that the degree you are working on is worthy of the tuition costs and will also be of value when you enter the job market.

Why is Accreditation so Important?

When you make the decision to pursue an online education degree, it is in your best interest to thoroughly research the schools which you are considering. Accreditation is important because it ensures that, upon graduation, your degree will have the same value as one you would receive from a traditional college or university. Accreditation also provides you with the same benefits and rights that a traditional college student would have, such as admissions, registration, orientation, tutoring, placement and financial aid.

If an institution is not accredited, it is not eligible to participate in government student assistance programs. This means that you cannot receive any federal grants or student loans to help offset the cost of your education. Most businesses which offer tuition assistance to their employees who pursue higher education will not reimburse tuition expenses if the institution which they attend is unaccredited.

Finally, if you ever intend to transfer credits from one school to another, this can only be done if you are enrolled in an accredited college or university. If, for any reason, you change schools and all of your credits are from an unaccredited institution, you will be required to take all of the courses again. This can be an enormous expense.

Some Common Misconceptions about Accreditation

Many prospective students think it really doesn't matter whether a college or university is accredited or not. But they are sadly mistaken. Attending an accredited institution ensures that you will get a quality education. It guarantees that you will be able to transfer credits to another school, if the need arises. Choosing an accredited school allows you to receive financial aid and also increases your chances of finding a better job, upon graduation.

Unfortunately, not all accreditations are equal and it is up to you, the prospective student, to investigate all the schools and programs which you are considering. Common scams are the accreditation mills which have very low standards for accreditation and actually sell the accreditations to institutions rather than verifying any information about the schools or their programs.

Another myth surrounding accreditation is that non-accredited schools cost less than accredited institutions. At first glance, you may think that non-accredited schools will save you money. But the truth is they can end up costing you much more. If you enroll in an unaccredited school, you will not be eligible for any federal financial aid. This means no loans or grants to help you pay for the cost of your education. Many employers will not even consider hiring a person whose degree comes from a non-accredited institution. So the degree that you worked so long and hard to earn has little, if any, value in the job market.

Researching Accreditation

It isn't difficult to research a school's accreditation status. Most institutions list their accreditation information on their websites. You can then investigate the organization directly by going to the U.S. Department of Education website or visiting the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) site. It is very important that you thoroughly research the actual accrediting council. Just seeing a notice of accreditation on a school's website does not guarantee its authenticity. There are many institutions which fake their accreditation status by using “diploma mills”. This means that they literally buy their accreditation. Consequently, the degrees they offer have no value.

There are six regional accrediting councils and they are highly respected within the education community. They include the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the Middle States Association, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Another nationally recognized accrediting group is The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) which specializes in distance and online education programs.