When looking at an online higher educational institution, you may notice a lot of talk about accreditation. Many Universities and Colleges have accredited online higher education programs, while others do not. This is an essential piece of information to pay attention to, as it may affect your future career or college eligibility.

What is Accreditation?

An accreditation is essentially a quality award. This means that the educational institution has gone through a lengthy process to pass certain testing criteria that show that it meets the qualifications and standards required by the accrediting party. 

Who Can Accredit Universities and Colleges?

There are over 60 qualified and accepted accrediting agencies in the United States. Each of these agencies will accredit a University based on its programs, features, and quality. Some of these accrediting parties only provide accreditation to certain fields, while others will accredit the entire school. Research the accrediting entity before applying and confirming enrollment with the school.

National Accreditations Vs. Regional Accreditations

When doing your research, you may find references to regional and national accreditations. These accreditations are important to pay attention to, as they hold different weights and meanings when it comes to other schools and employers.

Regional Accreditations

Regional accreditations come from one of six generalized territories within the US. These locations are:

• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• Northwest Accreditation Commission
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges

If a school holds one of these accreditations, it is considered a high-tier school, as regional accreditation is the highest type of accreditation within the US.

National Accreditations

National accreditations are more focused on trades and some nursing programs. Currently, four different agencies are recognized for national accreditation in the United States. These four agencies are:

• Higher Learning Commission
• Distance Education & Training Council 
• Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges & Schools
• Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges 

Each of these agencies provides accreditations to Universities and is highly recognized by most employers and Universities nationwide. This is beneficial because it proves a student has the skills they need for a job and allows students to transfer credits to another institution if they so choose.

What If My Educational Institution Is Not Accredited?

If you have selected a higher education institution that is not accredited, all hope is not lost. Some of these institutions still provide quality education. While this is true, it is important to keep the following risks in mind:

1. You are not eligible for Federal Financial Aid through the FASFA process.
2. Class credits are non-transferable
3. If your profession requires a license, you may not be eligible to receive it.

This can be detrimental to your career if you want to become a lawyer, nurse, or other professions requiring rigid documentation and licensure.

If you are not planning on switching schools and are looking at a general degree, this option may fit your needs. Beware, though, companies may also reject applicants from non-accredited schools, as there is no third-party verifying the proper skills and training are being acquired for the degree.

Look For Accreditation

When selecting an online higher education institution, it is of the utmost importance to look for its accreditation. This is key because it will provide students with the proper pathway to excel in their profession and acquire a job at a later date.