Regional vs. National Accreditation - There's a Huge Difference

The vast number of options available for students heading off to college or even thinking about heading to college can be rather daunting. While your educational experience will be what you make of it, wherever you go there is one key thing you need to consider: is the institution accredited?

In the United States, accreditation signifies that an independent agency routinely evaluates the quality of education offered by the higher education institution you intend to attend. There are two forms of accreditation the first is institutional accreditation which pertains to the overall establishment. The second is program based and relates to individual programs of study within the institution.

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Institutional accreditation is a process that a college or university voluntarily goes through. The institution requests that an accreditation agency assess its programs, its faculty, and its students’ success to determine if these meet the standards for higher education. If the standards are met, the institution is accredited and regularly reassessed to make certain that the entire institution continues to meet that standard.

Within an accredited institution individual programs may be accredited separately from the overall institution. Depending on what career field you want to enter this may be more important than institutional accreditation. Psychology, education, medical specialties, engineering, and social work, are fields that often require that a student’s program be accredited separately from the institution. Program-based accreditation is conducted by professional associations linked to that field of study, such as the American Psychological Association for Psychology. This accreditation makes certain that the program of study meets the standards of the field for the education and experiences that will result in the student having the background that will lead to success in their field.

Should you continue to have doubts regarding the accreditation status of the institution or program that piques your interest, having meticulously examined its website and printed materials, the U.S. Department of Education keeps a user friendly database of accredited institutions and programs available on their website:

http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

Regional Vs National Accreditation

Simply put, regional accreditation is distinct from national accreditation. The main difference between the two is that credits earned from institutions that are regionally accredited are more widely accepted and thus more easily transferable.

Earning credits in college is like getting points in a game. Students who earn enough points in a game level up. Leveling up in this game of college credits is earning different degrees. Whereas points in a game don’t usually transfer to another game, they do transfer to other colleges. Students pursuing online college degrees should recognize the influence of accreditation on their educational path.

While national accreditation might seem more authoritative than regional accreditation, this isn’t always the case. Regional accreditation is older and more prestigious than national, except in a few cases. The majority of non-profit colleges possess regional accreditation rather than national accreditation.

Understand the Differences

Regional Accreditation

As implied in the name, regional accrediting organizations operate in specific regions of the country. These organizations grant accreditation to schools, colleges, and universities showing that their credits and degrees meet minimum standards. This is a voluntary process that self-regulates the higher education industry.

Regionally accredited colleges are mostly academically oriented, non-profit, or state-owned institutions. Regionally accredited institutions are reluctant to accept transfer credits from nationally accredited institutions, mainly because the latter hasn’t met the stringent standards of faculty qualifications and library resources.

Regional accrediting agencies each serve a certain geographic region of the United States, and some of them serve international regions. They accredit post secondary institutions and primary and secondary schools. These agencies predominantly focus on accrediting academically driven, non-profit institutions rather than technical or vocational schools. For example, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities has accredited institutions like the University of Washington and Pacific Lutheran University. This type of accreditation granted by regional agencies is known as institutional accreditation. It acknowledges that all components of an institution are functioning and working towards specific goals. Six regional accrediting agencies are operational within the United States:

Before transferring from a national to a regional institution, make sure that the institution will accept the credits you’ve earned.

Regionally Accredited Online Schools That Might Interest You

National Accreditation

Nationally accredited schools are generally for-profit and offer vocational, career, or technical programs. National accreditation generally offers accreditation to schools that focus on career or religious education.

Nationally accredited schools will generally accept credits from other nationally accredited schools and from regionally accredited schools.

National accrediting agencies have a slightly different function. As their name suggests, national agencies accredit schools across the entire country. They typically accredit vocational, technical, or career-based, for-profit schools. Certain organizations, such as the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, predominantly focus on institutional accreditation, while others, including the American Academy for Liberal Education, offer both institutional and specialized accreditation.

One of the key issues concerning regional and national accrediting agencies is the transfer of credits earned. Many regionally accredited institutes will not accept credits from nationally accredited institutes and vice versa. Schools will, however, generally accept transfer credits from schools with similar types of accreditation, because that shows that they have comparable curriculums and standards.

Programmatic, or specialized, accrediting agencies concentrate on programs, departments, and schools within larger universities. Institutions that receive accreditation from programmatic agencies generally also have institutional accreditation. While some programmatic agencies offer both programmatic and institutional accreditation, many institutes pursue institutional accreditation from a regional agency. A distinguished programmatic accreditation body, the National Architectural Accrediting Board, possesses the unique power to endorse all architectural programs throughout the United States.

Just as institutions apply to these different agencies for accreditation, the agencies apply to the U.S. Department of Education for federal recognition. The process is similar: the Department of Education establishes standards that recognized agencies should meet, and teams evaluate the agencies to see if they satisfy those criteria. An agency recognized by the government is analogous to an educational institution accredited by an agency. Universities and colleges can trust that such an agency is a valid, reputable source for accreditation.

When you are browsing colleges, don’t just check if a school is accredited. Ensure that the accrediting organization is acknowledged by the Department of Education. If the organization lacks recognition, the school should be bypassed, as though it possessed no accreditation whatsoever. The Department of Education keeps a roster of approved accrediting bodies on its website.

Why Your School Should Be Accredited

Within the United States, educational establishments enjoy considerable autonomy. Accreditation is granted to schools that fulfill fundamental criteria of academic excellence. These standards are determined and developed by private organizations.

Numerous sizable, regional accrediting groups exist, like the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, which endorse institutions in specific regions of the United States. These groups generally award accreditation to an entire university. There are also, however, smaller, specialized accreditation agencies. These agencies typically accredit smaller components of an institution, such as a nursing program or a psychology department.

How Schools Get Accredited

The process of obtaining accreditation has several steps. Initially, an accreditation body collaborates with an educational establishment to define attainable standards that must be fulfilled in order to obtain accreditation. A school then conducts a self evaluation with these criteria in mind. If the school determines that it meets the criteria, then it hosts an outside evaluation team sent by the accrediting agency. Once the team is satisfied that the proper standards have been met, the agency officially grants accreditation to the institution. After the accreditation is conferred, the organization persistently oversees the institution and, at times, initiates a comprehensive reassessment to ascertain that it consistently adheres to the established criteria.

Why Some Schools Are Not Accredited

Some schools choose not to seek accreditation. This determination could be influenced by multiple aspects. The accreditation process is costly and accredited schools typically charge a higher tuition rate. A school might offer a non-traditional learning format that, while it may provide an otherwise complete and comprehensive education, does not adhere to accreditation standards.

Conversely, certain schools opt not to pursue accreditation due to their poorly structured and inadequate educational programs. A school without accreditation has neither the credibility nor the reputation of an accredited school. Future employers, and graduate school interviewers, might not consider a diploma valid if it is granted by a school without accreditation. There is no way to tell if the diploma results from an intensive course of study or a subpar, perhaps even fraudulent, program.

Accreditation ensures not only the quality of program content but also the quality of teaching at an institution. Faculty are held to high professional standards in terms of qualifications and teaching ability. Instructors at schools without accreditation may not possess the degree or the experience necessary to teach effectively.

Accreditation and Transferring Credits

Regarding students who desire to transfer from one institution to another, nearly all endorsed establishments solely recognize credits from other accredited institutions. Courses taken at a school without accreditation will need to be repeated, costing more time and money.

Don’t be fooled by the low costs of schools without accreditation. The long-term price of attending such an institution is much greater than the tuition of any accredited school. Institutions undergo the accreditation process to offer their students a valuable education that will be acknowledged by potential employers and other academic establishments. It’s worth taking advantage of this.

Paying attention to the type of accreditation your school has is especially important if there is any chance you may want to transfer to a different school during your degree or study elsewhere for further qualification. If your first school is not accredited, then your new school is unlikely to accept the credits you have accumulated from your studies there. Even if an institution possesses accreditation, your credits will only be transferrable if it is also accredited by the same accrediting body as your prospective new school. The best way to ensure you will be free to transfer credits is to attend only schools listed on the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

Related: Cheapest Accredited Online Colleges and Universities

Financial Aid and Accreditation

If an institution is neither regionally nor nationally accredited, no federal aid is available.

A large proportion of college attendees depend on various forms of financial assistance to fund their education. Numerous students are qualified to receive loans and grants from the federal government. Federal aid is only offered, however to students attending an accredited institution. The United States Department of Education maintains a database of federally recognized accrediting bodies and recognized accredited institutions at their website. While schools without accreditation can often offer lower rates of tuition, students usually end up paying more money out of pocket.

regional-vs-national-accreditation

Registration at an endorsed institution can also mean the disparity between acquiring financial support and bearing the full expense yourself. Schools that hold accreditation from the U.S. Department of Education furnish financial aid to numerous qualifying students through grants or loans. Institutions without accreditation are not authorized to extend financial assistance to their attendees.

Plan Ahead for Transferring

As per the latest figures by The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center more than one third of college students switch to another educational institution within a six year time frame. Approximately 54 percent of students shifted from four-year establishments to two-year community colleges.

Changes in one’s college plans are often unforeseen. Roughly 67 percent of college students graduate from the school they first started. Thus, the importance of choosing a regionally accredited institution right off the bat. Regionally accredited institutions typically accept credits from schools that hold similar credentials. Nationally accredited schools typically accept credits from other national institutions.

Registering at an endorsed educational institution can be the deciding factor in obtaining financial aid as opposed to bearing the full expense on your own. Educational establishments that obtain accreditation from the U.S. Department of Education can offer financial assistance in the form of grants or loans to numerous qualifying students whereas institutions without accreditation are not authorized to provide any financial aid to their students.

By choosing a regionally accredited college, students open up their pool of potential universities that will accept their hard-earned credits, especially for online college students.

Plan Ahead for Transferring

Based on recent information provided by The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center over 33% of college attendees relocate to different institution within 6 years. About 54% of students who transferred, did from a four year college to a two year community college.

Changes in one’s college plans are often unforeseen. Roughly 67 percent of college students graduate from the school they first started. Thus, the importance of choosing a regionally accredited institution right off the bat. Regionally accredited institutions typically accept credits from schools that hold similar credentials. Nationally accredited schools typically accept credits from other national institutions.

Enrolling in a sanctioned educational institution may be the pivotal factor in obtaining monetary assistance, as opposed to depleting one's personal finances. Schools endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education confer pecuniary support to a plethora of pupils who fulfill the criteria for bursaries or advances. Unaccredited academies, conversely, lack the eligibility to proffer financial succor to their attendees.

By choosing a regionally accredited college, students open up their pool of potential universities that will accept their hard-earned credits, especially for online college students.

How to Know a College’s Accreditation

Qualifying for regional accreditation is a rigorous process. The U.S. Department of Education offers a free tool that allows you to search for accreditation. The U.S. Dept of Education recognizes seven regional accrediting bodies that meet the standards of the Council of Higher Education.

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Schools in New York, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are accredited by MSCHE.

New England Association of Schools and Colleges
Commission on Institution of Higher Education (NEASC-CHE)
Schools in Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut and Massachusetts are accredited by NEASC-CHE.

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
The Higher Learning Commission (NCA-HLC)
Schools in Wyoming, Arizona, North Dakota, West Virginia, Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, New Mexico, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Illinois, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Michigan and Kansas are accredited by NCA-HLC.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Commission on Colleges
Schools in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia, Virginia, Mississippi and South Carolina are accredited by SACS.

Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC-WASC)
Schools in California and Hawaii in addition to those in American Samoa, the Territories of Guam, the Republic of Palau, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia are accredited by ACCJC-WASC.

Regional and National Institutional Accrediting Agencies

“The following regional and national accrediting agencies are recognized by the Secretary as reliable authorities concerning the quality of education or training offered by the institutions of higher education or higher education programs they accredit.” - Ed.Gov

Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
1967/2011/S2016
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of postsecondary, none degree granting institutions and degree granting institutions in the United States including those granting associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degrees. Those that are predominantly organized to educate students for occupational, trade and technical careers, and including institutions that offer programs via distance education.

Michale McComis, Executive Director
2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 302
Arlington, Virginia 22201
Tel. (703) 247-4212, Fax (703) 247-4533
E-mail address: [email protected]
Web address: www.accsc.org

Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training
1978/2013/S2018
Scope of recognition: the accreditation throughout the United States of institutions of higher education that offer continuing education and vocational programs that confer certificates or occupational associate degrees, including those programs offered via distance education.
Title IV Note: Only those institutions classified by this agency as “vocational “ may use accreditation by the agency to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs.

William V. Larkin, Executive Director
1722 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 955-1113, Fax (202) 955-1118
E-mail address: [email protected]
Web address: www.accet.org

Council on Occupational Education
1969/2013/S2016
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation (“Candidacy Status”) throughout the United States of postsecondary occupational education institutions offering non-degree and applied associate degree programs in specific career and technical education fields, including institutions that offer programs via distance education.

Gary Puckett, Executive Director
7840 Roswell Road, Building 300, Suite 325
Atlanta, Georgia 30350
Tel. (770) 396-3898, (800) 917-2081, Fax (770) 396-3790
E-mail address: [email protected]
Web address: www.council.org

Distance Education Accrediting Commission
1959/2012/S2017
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of postsecondary institutions in the United States that offer degree or none degree programs primarily by the distance or correspondence education method up to and including the professional doctoral degree including those institutions that are specifically certified by the agency as accredited for Title IV purposes. Title IV Note: Only accredited institutions that are certified by the agency as accredited for Title IV purposes may use accreditation by this agency to establish eligibility of its degree and/or non-degree programs to participate in Title IV programs.

Leah K. Matthews, Executive Director
1101 17th Street NW, Suite 808
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 234-5100, Fax (202) 332-1386
E-mail address: [email protected]
Web address:www.deac.org

Middle States Commission on Higher Education
1952/2012/F2017
Extent of acknowledgment: the endorsement and preliminary endorsement ("Candidacy status") encompass higher learning establishments within Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This also includes remote and correspondence academic initiatives provided by these institutions.

Elizabeth H. Sibolski, President
3624 Market Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
Tel. (267) 284-5000, Fax (215) 662-5950
E-mail address: [email protected]
Web address: www.msche.org

Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools
2004/2014/S2017
Extent of acknowledgment: the endorsement and preliminary endorsement ("Candidacy status") encompass higher learning establishments within Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This additionally involves the validation of postsecondary, non-degree-providing establishments delivering entire or partial scholastic programs through online education techniques.
Title IV National those vocational/technical schools accredited by this agency that offer non-degree, postsecondary education may use that accreditation to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs. Henry Cram, President
3624 Market Street, 2 West
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-2680
Tel. (267) 284-5000, Fax (215) 662-0957
E-mail address: [email protected]
Web address: www.msa-cess.org

New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
1952/2015/F2017
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and pre-accreditation (“Candidacy status”) of institutions of higher education in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont that award bachelor’s, master’s, and/or doctoral degrees and associate degree-granting institutions in those states that include degrees in liberal arts or general studies among their offerings, including the accreditation of programs offered via distance education within these institutions.

Barbara E. Brittingham, President
3 Burlington Woods Drive, Suite 100
Burlington, Massachusetts 01803-4514
Tel. (781) 425-7700, Fax (781) 425-1001
E-mail address: [email protected]
Web address: https://cihe.neasc.org

New York State Board of Regents, and the Commissioner of Education
1952/2012/F2017
Scope of recognition: the accreditation of those degree granting institutions of higher education in New York including distance education offered by those institutions, that designate the agency as their sole or primary nationally recognized accrediting agency for establishing eligibility to take part in HEA programs.

Mary Ellen Elia, Commissioner of Education
State Education Department
The University of the State of New York
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12234
Tel. (518) 474-5844 Fax (518) 473-4909
E-Mail address: [email protected]
Web address: www.nysed.gov

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
1952/2015/F2017
Scope of acknowledgment the approval and initial approval ("Candidate status"), of degree granting higher education institution's across the states of, Arizona, and Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Wisconsin and Wyoming.This encompasses the tribal institutions and the ratification of programs presented through remote and correspondence education modalities within these entities. This recognition extends to the Institutional Actions Council jointly with the Board of Trustees of the Commission for decisions on cases for continued accreditation or reaffirmation and continued candidacy and to the Appeals Body jointly with the Board of Trustees of the Commission for decisions related to initial candidacy or accreditation or reaffirmation of accreditation.

Barbara Gellman-Danley, President
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois 60604-1413
Tel. (312) 263-0456, (800) 621-7440, Fax (312) 263-7462
E-mail address: [email protected]
Web address: www.hlcommission.org

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
1952/2015/S2016-C
Scope of recognition the accreditation and pre accreditation (“Candidacy status”) of postsecondary degree granting educational institution's in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington and the accreditation of programs offered via distance education within these institutions.

Sandra E. Elman, President
8060 165th Avenue, NE, Suite 100
Redmond, Washington 98052
Tel. (425) 558-4224, Fax (425) 376-0596
E-mail address: [email protected]
Web address: www.nwccu.org

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
1952/2014/S2017
Scope of recognition: the accreditation and pre accreditation (“Candidate for Accreditation”) of degree granting institutions of higher education in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia including the accreditation of programs offered via distance and correspondence education within these institution's. This recognition extends to the SACSCOC Board of Trustees and the Appeals Committee of the College Delegate Assembly on cases of initial candidacy or initial accreditation and for continued accreditation or candidacy.

Belle S. Wheelan, President
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097
Tel. (404) 679-4512, Fax (404) 994-6592
E-mail address: [email protected]
Web address: www.sacscoc.org

Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission
1991/2013/S2016
Scope of recognition the accreditation and pre accreditation (“Candidate status") of Christian postsecondary institutions in the United States that offer certificates, diplomas and associate, baccalaureate and graduate degrees including institutions that offer distance education.

Timothy W. Eaton, President
15935 Forest Road
Forest, Virginia 24551
Tel. (434) 525-9539, Fax (434) 525-9538
E-mail address: [email protected]
Web address: www.tracs.org

Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
1952/2015/S2017-C
Scope of recognition the accreditation and pre accreditation (“Candidate for Accreditation”) of community and other colleges with a primarily pre baccalaureate mission in California, Hawaii, the US territories of Guam and American Samoa, the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, which offer certificates and associate degrees and the first baccalaureate degree by a substantive change review offered by institutions that are already accredited by the agency and such programs offered via distance education and correspondence education at these colleges. This recognition also extends to the Committee on Substantive Change of the Commission for decisions on substantive changes and the Appeals Panel.

Barbara A. Beno, President
10 Commercial Boulevard, Suite 204
Novato, California 94949
Tel. (415) 506-0234, Fax (415) 506-0238
E-mail address: [email protected]
Web address: www.accjc.org

Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior Colleges and University Commission
1952/2012/F2017

Sphere of recognition the accreditation and pre accreditation ("Candidate for Accreditation") for senior colleges and universities in:

  • California
  • Hawaii
  • the U.S. territories of Guam and American Samoa
  • the Republic of Palau
  • Federated states of Micronesia and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
  • the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Mary Ellen Petrisko
President
985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100
Alameda, California 94501
Tel. (510) 748-9001, Fax (510) 748-9797
E-mail address: [email protected]
Web address: www.wascsenior.org

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