Accreditation: What it is, and why it's important for institutions and you
In the United States nearly all colleges and universities participate in a voluntary process of accreditation to establish their academic bona fides. Accreditation, a process of peer review, is generally seen as the key in determining whether a degree program is legitimate and meets generally recognized academic standards.
Accreditation certifies by peer review that an institution's programs are legitimate and meet widely recognized academic standards.
In the U.S., accreditors are private non-governmental organizations created for the specific purpose of reviewing higher education institutions and programs for quality.
It is accepted practice that institutions cite their accreditation, and the bodies that accorded it, on all of their marketing material.
Absence of accreditation notice should alert prospective applicants to possible fraud and "diploma-mill" problems.
There is a simple way to check accreditation of institutions around the world. Visit a database maintained by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation at http://www.chea.org/intdb/quality-assurance.asp. This database contains information about quality assurance and accreditation organizations from 48 countries, including the U.S., and information about contacting each organization.
For additional information on accreditation, visit
http://www.educationusa.state.gov/home/accreditation-guide
Helpful Links on Accreditation and Regional Accrediting Bodies
Official U.S. Accreditation Directories
Council of Higher Education Accreditation
http://www.chea.org/intdb/quality-assurance.asp
U.S. Department of Education: Office of Post-Secondary Education
http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/
Regional Accrediting Bodies
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools/Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (MSACHE)
http://www.msache.org
Accredits institutions in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Site includes a directory of member institutions.
New England Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (NEASC)
http://www.neasc.org
Accredits institutions in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Site includes a directory of accredited institutions.
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
http://www.ncacihe.org/
Accredits institutions in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, New Mexico, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Site includes a directory of accredited institutions.
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NCCU)
http://www.nwccu.org/
Accredits institutions in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Site includes ordering information for a list of accredited institutions.
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSC)
http://www.sacscoc.org
Accredits institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Site includes a list of accredited institutions.
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
http://www.wascweb.org
The Western region covers institutions in California and Hawaii, the territories of Guam, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, the Pacific Basin, and East Asia, and areas of the Pacific and East Asia where American/International schools or colleges may apply to it for service. Site includes a list of accredited institutions.
