What is an Accredited Degree Program

Accredited degree programs offered by academic institutions fulfill specific educational requirements set by a third party. An institution must prove to a higher learning association that their degree programs meet the national standards and requirements to receive accreditation. In the United States, these standards are set by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

 

Earning a nationally accredited degree lets employers know that you have met certain qualifications and, therefore, often helps in the job application process. Most universities offer some sort of accredited degree program.

While the accreditation process is different for every country, it is typically handled by the ministry of education. In the United States, however, accreditation is handled by private institutions, each with unique standards. The U.S. Department of Education holds no responsibility for the accreditation of schools.

 

The private accrediting institutions must follow a set of guidelines set forth by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. By law, the U.S. Secretary of Education is required to post a listing of all of the nation’s education accreditation agencies. These agencies are responsible for ensuring the quality of education that is provided to students is adequate.

Those who complete a nationally accredited degree program can be sure that they are receiving the highest quality of education available. If a school is not accredited, it may not be able to offer certain classes or may not attract the most talented teachers to fill its departments. With an accredited degree, you can prove to future employers that you have received a high quality of education, making you a valuable asset in the workforce.

There are also specialized programs that offer accreditation in fields such as dentistry and law. These specialized programs exist as a means for regulatory boards to decide whether a person has attained the proper skill sets.

 

In law, the American Bar Association offers the highest accreditation for degree programs. After passing some of the more rigorous tests set forth by the accrediting agency, students are more likely to be offered higher paying positions, as they have proven their skills and knowledge.

The U.S. Secretary of Education is responsible for providing a list of nationally recognized accreditation agencies each year. There are several Web sites that allow the user to search for accreditation via the name of the institution attended.

 

There are both regionally accredited colleges and nationally accredited colleges. Regionally accredited colleges are controlled by the state, and therefore the credits earned will transfer to other regional colleges. However, these regionally accredited degrees will not necessarily fulfill national requirements, and the credits might not transfer nationally.

 

Some of the major associations that are able to provide national accreditation include:

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