subject: College And University Accreditation [print this page] At present more than ever, it's very important for you to ensure that the chosen institution of higher education whether campus-based or online is accredited. Actually, it can mean a difference between pursuing your education, as well as having to begin all over. By means of checking your college's accreditation up front, you'll avoid discovering later that the credits cannot transfer to any other college or university, or that the employer doesn't recognize such a degree.
In fact, there are two types of accreditation: specialized as well as institutional. The institutional accreditation makes sure a particular college or university itself meets definite standards, when the specialized accreditation ensure a particular program meets the particular industry's standards.
Actually, accreditation is broken down into regional and national types. Typically national accreditation is utilized by colleges seeking to get the students began in their careers and jobs as soon as possible. In fact, these are technical, religious, correspondence, and vocational schools. Also, national accreditation transmit credits are not broadly recognized by the regionally accredited universities and colleges.
Then regional accreditation is the standard accepted by most traditional universities and colleges, and is more widely recognized. Both regional and national accreditation is accepted by the Department of Education of the United States of America, but regional accreditation can make it much easier to transfer your college credits to any other regionally accredited school.
According to the Department of Education of the United States of America, college accreditation is utilized by both universities and students to:
verify that a particular university or college meets the established standards.
assist students to identify acceptable universities or colleges.
assist universities and colleges to define the acceptability of your transfer credits.
set goals so that to raise the particular standards amid educational institutions.
set criteria for professional licensure and certification and for upgrading the courses providing such preparation.
