subject: Important Facts You Should Know About Accreditation [print this page] Important Facts You Should Know About Accreditation
Now that you've finally decided that you are going to go through with your education online, the next step is for you to look for accredited universities and colleges that are reputable as well as certified institutes. By accreditation it is meant that the school meets all the standards in providing quality education. Accrediting agencies are independent bodies that give unbiased opinions and rulings and provide for a specific and strict regulation and procedure in accrediting schools. The process is tough and expensive, although considered a measure of integrity. When seeking online education, it is wise to know the accreditation status of the school to want to go to.
Another important reason why you should choose a university or college that is accredited is because employers are picky with the people they hire. When hiring, they will only accept those who have graduated from reputable and accredited schools. The primary online accreditation organization in the United States is the Universal Council for Online Education Accreditation or the UCOEA.
How Does Accreditation Work
First, the standards are set. The agency works with different educational institutions in order to provide the standard. The institution is then given a time frame within which they come up with self-evaluation standards in order to determine their weak points. Once they determine this, they are able to make some organization changes in time for the accreditation period. The accreditation period is actually an onsite examination of the school premises and the organizational structure, the teaching facilities as well as the methods of teaching. If the university or school meets the accreditation standards, it will be monitored from time to time in order to maintain the standard that was set. Reevaluation is made periodically sometimes every five years wherein the process is again repeated.
Private Accrediting Agencies
These are the accrediting agencies in the United States, unlike other countries where the accrediting agency is the government. The United States Department of Education defines the agency as an educational association that is of a regional or national scope that is responsible for developing evaluation criteria and later conducts evaluations in order to assess whether or not the criteria's were met.
It is important that you get the utmost quality education from universities and colleges that are both reputable and accredited. This is not just for now but for your future as well because the training you will derive from these institutions are guaranteed to meet the high standards set in the working world.
