How to Identify Legitimate Online Universities Through Accreditation

Guide to Accreditation for Choosing Reputable Online Colleges

With the rise of online education, more students and employers recognize the value of accredited online degrees. Many esteemed institutions now accept credits from accredited programs, and employers often consider online degrees from reputable universities as equivalent to traditional campus-based ones. To ensure the quality and recognition of your degree, selecting an accredited online university is essential.

Accurately understanding what accreditation means is key to making an informed decision.

Defining Accreditation

Accreditation is an official endorsement granted to universities and their programs by independent agencies.

This process is overseen by recognized accreditation bodies that ensure institutions meet high educational standards.

Different accreditation organizations include national, regional, and specialty agencies.

Types of Accreditation

Institutional accreditation: Grants overall recognition to the entire university or college.

Program accreditation: Focuses on specific degree programs, especially those requiring professional licensing or certification.

Accrediting Bodies Classification

Accreditation authorities can be categorized as regional, national, or specialized agencies. Many online schools now hold state-level accreditation, confirming they are authorized to operate within a specific jurisdiction.

National agencies: Examples include the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. These bodies validate the quality of institutions across the country.

Regional agencies: Prestigious universities like Harvard and the University of Maryland are accredited by regional bodies such as WASC or SACS. There are six recognized regional agencies.

Program-specific accreditation: Focuses on professional standards, granted by specific associations like the American Psychological Association or the American Bar Association.

Validity of Accrediting Agencies

Ensure that the accreditation agencies are recognized by authorities like the U.S. Department of Education (DoE) or CHEA. Verify their status on official websites to avoid false accreditation claims.

Only consider accreditation from agencies with official approval to guarantee credibility.

Steps in the Accreditation Procedure

Institutions conduct a self-assessment presenting evidence of quality standards in classrooms, facilities, faculty, and curricula.

An on-site review by experts evaluates the institution's compliance.

Accreditation is an ongoing process, involving regular reviews to ensure continuous adherence to standards.

Benefits of Accreditation

Degrees from accredited universities are highly valued and widely accepted.

Credits earned can often be transferred to other institutions for further studies.

Employment prospects improve with degrees from accredited online universities, as employers look for recognized credentials.

While national accreditation is good, regional accreditation is often more respected due to the comprehensive review process.

For career-specific degrees, professional accreditation provides additional validation.

Online programs offer flexibility for working individuals or those with family duties, making higher education more accessible.

Always verify that your chosen online university has valid accreditation to ensure your degree's value and recognition.