College Accreditation - Regional vs National Accreditation

Edited by Kelly Bray - Google

When choosing which school to attend, it's important to find a college or university that is accreditated. Accreditation means that a school has been evaluated by education authorities, to ensure it's offering high quality learning opportunities.

Accreditation is not a "one size fits all" concept. There are different types - including regional, national and specialized accreditation. Once you understand the different classifications, you'll be better equipped to make the college choice that's right for you!

• Regional Accreditation

  In the United States, there are six regional accrediting agencies that each cover a different section of the country. They include:

  Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools (Commission on Higher Education)

  Featured Accredited Schools:

  Bryant & Sratton College
  Duquesne University
  Gannon University
  Marist College
  New Jersey Institute of Technology
  Rochester Institute of Technology
  Saint Peter's University
  Syracuse University
  The Catholic University of America

  New England Association of Schools and Colleges (Commission on Technical and Career Institutions and Commission on Institutions of Higher Education)

  Featured Accredited Schools:

  Boston University
  New England College of Business
  Northeastern University
  Post University Online
  Southern New Hampshire University
  UMASS Online
  University of New England
  Vermont Law School

  North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (The Higher Learning Commission)

  Featured Accredited Schools:

  Benedictine University
  Creighton University
  Purdue University
  Rasmussen College
  Capella University
  Kaplan University
  Walden University
  New England College
  Norwich University
  Western Governors University

  Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges

  Featured Accredited Schools:

  Gonzaga University
  Marylhurst University
  Portland State University
  Boise State University
  Concordia University -- Portland
  Western Governors University
  
  
  
  
  
   

  Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (Commission on Colleges)

  Featured Accredited Schools:

  University of North Carolina
  Loyola University -- New Orleans
  Abilene Christian University
  Our Lady of the Lake University
  Bush School of Government -- Texas A&M University
  Victory University
  Eastern Kentucky University
  University of Alabama at Birmingham

  Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities)

  Featured Accredited Schools:

  Argosy University
  University of San Franciscoo
  University of Southern California
  Golden Gate University
  Pepperdine University
  The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

  
  
  

   

  If an online college chooses to apply for regional accreditation, it is evaluated by the regional agency that presides over its home state. These are the only six bodies that can award regional accreditation, and they're all recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). You can learn more about these regional accrediting agencies, including which schools they accredit, by visiting their individual Web sites.

• National Accreditation

  National accreditation is not based on geography, rather it was designed to evaluate specific types of schools and colleges. For example, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT) evaluates career schools and technology programs, while the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) accredits colleges that offer distance education.

  Often, schools apply for national accreditation when their model of instruction or their course content is different from most "traditional" degree programs. Regional accrediting agencies may not be able to compare a career school with a liberal arts college, because the modes of study are so dissimilar. However, national accreditation allows nontraditional colleges (trade schools, religious schools, certain online schools) to be compared against similarly designed institutions. Different standards and categories are measured, depending on the type of school in question.

• Specialized Accreditation

  Specialized accreditation, also known as program-based accreditation, is awarded to specific programs or departments within a college or university. Specialized accreditation is offered by agencies that represent specific fields of study or profesional organizations. These agencies do not accredit entire colleges. Instead, they accredit the programs within certain colleges that prepare students for their industry.

  Professionals should also investigate specialized accreditation -- including students who study medicine, engineering, dentistry, nursing, or law as they generally need to graduate from a program with specialized accreditation:

  • American Medical Association (AMA) accredits medical programs
  • Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredits engineering programs
  • American Dental Association (ADA) accredits dentistry programs.
  • National Nursing League (NLN) accredits nursing programs
  • American Bar Association (ABA) accredits law school programs
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accredits business and accounting programs

• Issues to Consider

  Transferability of Credits

  While nationally accredited institutions will usually accept credit from regionally or nationally accredited institutions, regionally accredited schools often do not accept credit from nationally accredited institutions.Considering that state colleges and universities are all regionally accredited, and that state schools are an inexpensive local option for many students, this is definitely something to keep in mind.

  Cost

  Another important issue is cost. There are a few nationally accredited schools that may be inexpensive, and low tuition rates can be enticing. However, if you're eligible for financial aid and scholarships, you may be able minimize the cost difference that comes with a regionally accredited school.

   Acceptability by Prospective Employers

  Realistically speaking, most employersmay not know the difference between the two types of accreditation. However, if you do run into concerns about your school or its accreditation, you may want to direct your employer to the U.S. Department of Education's Web page on accreditation issues.

  If you have a specific employer in mind, you might want to ask a Human Resources employee about the school(s) you are considering.