College and University Accreditation; Is it Important?

Accreditation can be a tricky subject, especially as it relates to distance education and online degree programs. One of the first things to remember is that a school or college that is licensed is not necessarily accredited.

State licensure allows a school or college to operate legally. But, the standards a school or college must meet to be state licensed are often pretty low. The criteria for accreditation are far higher. So, be wary of a school or college that talks about licensure but not accreditation.

It is also important to understand that some colleges and universities...most often online colleges and universities...claim accreditation from agencies which are not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Although a few unrecognized agencies may make an honest attempt to evaluate colleges, accreditation by such organizations is effectively meaningless as far as most employers and accredited colleges are concerned.

For example, in their help wanted announcements, schools, colleges, and universities virtually always require that applicants hold degrees from institutions accredited by U.S. Department of Education recognized agencies.

Almost never will a legitimately accredited college or university accept credits from an institution that is not accredited by an agency recognized by the federal Department of Education. And generally speaking, the better the college to which a student is transferring, the less likely it is to accept credits from a college or university which is not fully accredited.

Even if your educational and career goals are such that accreditation is not a priority for you now, attending a college or university that is not fully accredited could turn out to be a big mistake for several reasons. An accredited school is much more likely to offer you a high quality academic program staffed by qualified faculty. And, if your situation or your goals change, a degree from an accredited college or university will give you far more options. Your safest bet is to visit the U.S. Department of Education website, get a list of recognized accrediting agencies, and select only a college or university accredited by one or more of them.

Accreditation will not guarantee that you will be completely satisfied with a particular college or degree program. But, it does mean that some standards of quality are in place, that you may be able to transfer credits if you are so inclined, and that most employers will recognize the validity of your coursework and/or degree. In addition, appropriate coursework or an appropriate degree from an accredited institution of higher education can help qualify you for admission to other degree programs.

Article Source: http://publisherscloninghouse.com

Daniel Kane has worked as a school counselor and university dean. He authored and maintains one website on online degrees another on online colleges and scholarships, more than a dozen similarly themed websites.
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