1. The first stage in obtaining accreditation is determining which accreditation credential to pursue. Some accrediting agencies certified by the CHEA or the US Department of Education are more prestigious than others due to more stringent certifying standards. In general, the more renowned the accreditation, the higher the standards that the school must meet. Then there’s the reality that a school can obtain programmatic accreditation for certain programs even if the school as a whole is already accredited.
2. Once a school has decided on which accreditation to pursue; it must identify and meet the qualifying standards. It may be in candidacy status at this moment. This signifies that the school is not yet certified, but it is on its way to meeting the accreditation requirements.
3. During the candidacy period, the school will submit a substantial amount of paperwork and documents to demonstrate that it meets the criteria for accreditation. This will include information about the faculty, the school’s financial viability, class syllabi, graduation criteria, degree requirements, and student work samples.
4. The evaluation follows, with commission members reviewing the school’s accomplishments and characteristics to determine whether accreditation is warranted. This will normally entail a study of documents and an on-site tour of the school’s campus and facilities.
Finally, a choice is reached. Until a decision is made, the institution will be required to provide regular updates on its academic and financial health. If the school is accredited, it will have to renew its accreditation regularly, usually every few years.
Accreditation Recognition
Even if a school has the financial resources to operate without federal funding, it cannot thrive as an educational institution unless it also has the funds to give nearly free education to its students. Unfortunately, few students can afford to pay the full cost of education with cash. As a result, many students will rely on financial aid, which will come from the federal government. Even students who can secure large scholarships should avoid attending unaccredited colleges; this is because most financial assistance programs, including private scholarships or grants, are contingent on the students enrolling in an accredited university.
It’s no surprise that schools seek to be accredited, with accreditation being so crucial. However, not all schools can earn this credential. Therefore they hunt for alternatives. One of the most common methods is to seek certification from an organization with the least stringent requirements. While not every accrediting organization is expected to set accreditation requirements that only a few schools can fulfill, they cannot set requirements so simple that any institution can meet them. That is why accrediting organizations must be “accredited” by either the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
The Department of Education considers accreditation when determining whether a school provides a high-quality education worthy of federal funding. Therefore, only schools with current accreditation are eligible for government funds.
If a school is accredited by a non-CHEA or US Department of Education recognized entity, it is virtual as if the school is not accredited at all. Recognition assures that an accrediting organization is not an accreditation mill, just as accreditation ensures that a school is not a degree mill. These layers of safeguards for students help to ensure that their degree is more than just a piece of paper.
Understanding the Different Types of Accreditation
Post-secondary accreditation is classified into two groups. The first is institutional accreditation, which refers to a school or institution as a whole meeting minimal academic quality standards. The majority of colleges and universities in the United States are accredited by one of the six regional accrediting bodies. Even if a school is recognized, its programs might also be accredited. Programmatic accreditation is the name given to the second form of accreditation. Not all programs at a school will have their accrediting organization, but many professional programs will, including engineering, nursing, law, medicine, and business. Prospective students considering enrolling in one of these professional programs should ensure that their respective certifying bodies accredit both the program and the school.
Why Is Accreditation Important?
Accreditation indicates that the educational institution provides a high-quality education by adhering to certain academic requirements. These standards are typically concerned with the school’s ability to provide academic support to its students, the rate at which students are expected to grow, how well students are prepared upon graduation, instructor quality, and curricular requirements. Accreditation assures that all colleges in that region or area that earn accreditation can compete on a level playing field; for example, a student will not necessarily receive a better education at one college over another. A student knows that attending an accredited institution or program will gain a specific level of knowledge and expertise. Accreditation also enhances the possibility that an external party, such as another institution or employment, will recognize the academic certificate earned by the students. Without accreditation, an employer, government agency, or other school has no means of knowing that the student did not buy a college degree from a degree mill over the weekend. Though it may seem far-fetched, it was a very feasible scenario before certification.