Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Accreditation

Many colleges and universities claim to be accredited. But students don't often know exactly what that means. And, more importantly, students may not realize that not all accreditations were made equal.

Generally speaking, colleges and universities need accreditation to make the grade. But the word 'accredited' offers no guarantees. Students have to dig a bit to ensure that they choose a sound school.

What does accredited mean?
Accredited means that an organization has been given an official stamp of approval to operate based on having met the professional standards of practice. Begun over a hundred years ago, the goal of the accreditation process in education is to make certain that institutions of higher learning provide an acceptable standard of education.

What is an accredited college?
An accredited college is a post-secondary institution of higher learning that upholds acceptable educational standards. Degrees should be recognized across the board, so graduates can be admitted to other respected institutions of higher learning or earn professional credentials. According to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, accreditation currently provides the following for the public good:

• Academic quality
• Value for tuition money
• Efficient and effective use of public and private resources
• Student protection against fraud
• Transparency with respect to institutional operation and results

How are schools accredited?
A college, university, or other institution is accredited when it has successfully passed through a process of evaluation by a peer review board from an accrediting agency. Faculty from accredited colleges and universities make up the board, fleshing out the evaluation criteria. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes regional, faith-based, private career, and specialized accreditors.

What is an accrediting agency?
An accrediting agency is a private, nongovernmental organization created for the primary purpose of assessing the quality of higher education institutions and educational programs. Approximately 60 such organizations have been reviewed and are recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the United States Department of Education. Eight of these are regional, four faith-based, and the remainder are specialized and professional accrediting associations. Any accrediting agency not listed by the CHEA should be inspected carefully for legitimacy.

What are diploma and accreditation mills?
A diploma mill is a dubious and bogus provider of educational services. An accreditation mill is similarly disreputable, providing accreditation to institutions of higher education. Both are to be avoided. According to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, a few states have laws regulating accrediting agencies, but most do not. For this reason, students must arduously apply their research skills to avoid fraudulent organizations.

Why is accreditation important?
Students should always take care to assess a college or university's accreditation, assuring the legitimacy of the degrees granted by the institution. A degree from an institution with dubious accreditation can lead to the loss of job and reputation. For example, according to Diploma Mill News, Dallas City Secretary Shari Kuykendall received her international certification as a municipal clerk and then got a nice hefty pay raise. But Kuykendall was forced to resign after it became all too clear to Kuykendall and her employer that the university from which she got her credential was a sham.

How can I assess my college's accreditation?
By carefully examining the accrediting agency, students can verify the quality of the institution in which they enrol. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation suggests posing the following questions to evaluate a college's accreditation.

• What are the standards of quality for reviewing the institution?
• Is there a summary of the last review available?
• If accreditation is lacking, does some other certification for quality exist?
• How can the accrediting organization or other quality assessment organization be contacted?
• Will other institutions of higher education accept for transfer the credits and courses earned?
• Will other institutions of higher education count towards a degree the credits and courses earned?
• Will graduate schools accept for admission the credits and courses earned?
• Who can be contacted to ask which credits and courses will be recognized by other institutions?
• Will employers accept the credits and courses earned?
• Will employers recognize the credits and courses when promoting employees, retraining employees, or assigning raises to employees?
• Who can be contacted to ask which credits and courses will be recognized by employers?

Accreditation is a complex matter. But armed with knowledge, students can track down the excellent education they deserve.

Sources:
Council for Higher Education Accreditation
Diploma Mill News