Accredited Schools

Is Your School Accredited?

Is your college, school, or university an accredited institution? The ultimate value of your degree in the workplace, or in your acceptance to advanced degree program, may hinge on the accreditation of the school that you’re in now or planning to attend. It’s important to know whether your school is accredited and, if so, has been accredited by a legitimate agency.

Accreditation Simplified

Basically, accreditation is made by a non-partisan agency comprised of experts in higher education that evaluate your school’s performance. If your school does not open itself up to regularly scheduled accreditations, it may be a warning sign that the college is not confident in its own the level of instruction and curriculum competency. Most accredited schools welcome the systematic evaluation as a means of providing quality learning and improvement in areas that may need help.

Measuring Up

The main categories for accreditation review include the school’s long and short-term educational goals, financial resources, academic resources (libraries, computers, etc.), fair treatment of all students, rigor of academic standards, faculty training and effectiveness, and ethical practices.

Are Online Degrees Valid?

In 19 states, colleges and universities rely upon accreditation from The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, founded in 1895. Other reputable accreditation agencies include The Higher Learning Commission and The Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. If you’re taking coursework from an online institution, it’s equally important to know if it is an accredited school. The Distance Education and Training Council evaluates many online schools. It’s good to know what you’re getting for your education dollar.