What is College Accreditation?

By Celeste Stewart

As you explore career paths and research colleges, the term accreditation may have you wondering: What is school accreditation? Is it important? Is it just a meaningless marketing term? New and returning students alike have questions about college accreditation – and we have answers.

What is Accreditation?

College accreditation in the United States is a voluntary, peer-review process that colleges and post-secondary education facilities undergo to assure the quality of education. It is a quality assurance system, not a ranking system.

There are two main types of school accreditation programs: institutional and specialized. An institutional accreditation measures overall quality of the educational institution while specialized accreditation measures the quality of specific programs of study such as engineering, nursing, or law.

Why is School Accreditation Important?

Whether or not a school is accredited can impact students in many ways from limiting access to federal funds to qualifying for a state license after graduation. According to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), college accreditation serves four primary roles:

• Assuring quality
• Enabling access to federal and state funds such as student aid and federal grants
• Easing the transfer of courses and credits among colleges and universities
• Engendering confidence in the private sector

Who Determines College Accreditation?

In the United States, dozens of private non-profit organizations are responsible for accrediting schools and their programs. It’s important to note that while both federal and state governments rely on accreditations as a measure of quality, the government is not involved in accrediting schools.

Depending on the type of college or degree program, different accreditations may be sought. Accrediting organizations typically fall into one of the following four categories:

• Regional – For example, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities accredits schools in the Northwest region of the United States.
• Faith-based – For example, the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation accredits faith-based programs.
• Career-related – For example, the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools accredits professional, technical, and occupational programs.
• Programmatic – For example, the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education accredits veterinary medical programs.

Is an Accrediting Organization Legitimate?

With multiple organizations accrediting colleges, it’s vital that these organizations are held accountable. A process known as “recognition,” which is carried out by the United States Department of Education (USDE), the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or another private organization, recognizes accreditation organizations that have met specific standards developed by the USDE or CHEA. In addition, recognized organizations undergo periodic self-evaluations based on these standards.

Where Can I Find a List of Legitimate Accreditation Organizations?

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the United States Department of Education both maintain databases of recognized accreditation organizations along with accredited colleges and universities.

Are Online Colleges Accredited?

Whether a college exists online or maintains a physical campus, its administrators have a choice as to whether or not to seek accreditation. Understanding the importance of accreditation, many online colleges have chosen to seek accreditation just as their campus-based counterparts have done. When considering either an online degree program or a campus-based degree program, do your research to make sure that the program offers the right type of accreditation for your career track.

Which Accreditations are the Best?

Naturally, you’ll want the assurance of quality that accreditation brings. However, the best accreditation for any given degree program depends on a variety of factors. For example, in order to get your state license as a professional in your chosen field, your state may require that your degree comes from a school accredited by a specific accrediting organization. If you earned your degree at a non-accredited school, you may not qualify for a state license. To avoid this, do your research before enrolling and make sure the degree program is appropriately accredited.

Clearly, college accreditation plays a huge role in your ultimate academic and career success. As you refine your college search, make sure to give accreditation the attention it deserves.