Distance Learning Accreditation

You've probably heard that it's important to make sure the distance learning program you select is accredited.

But do you know why? For that matter, do you even understand what accreditation involves?

If you don't then that's okay. Read on to learn all you need to know about distance learning and accreditation.

What does accreditation mean?

Accreditation can mean the difference between obtaining a diploma that is worthy or one that is worthless.

 Accreditation is actually a formal review of a distance learning program to ensure that it meets all of the criteria that has been outlined by the agencies that grant accreditation.

Right now there are 6 accrediting agencies that are recognized by the National Board of Education. These 6 agencies include:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

North Central Association of Schools and Colleges (NCASC)

Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSASC)

Southern Association of Schools and Colleges (SACS)

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WACS)

Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges (NWCCU)

Why is accreditation important?

Accreditation is a way to ensure that all students learn the same types of information regardless of the individual institution he or she attends. 

Accreditation is also a way of assuring potential employers that the student has received a quality education and has learned skills that are relevant in today's marketplace.

Other types of accreditation

In addition to institutional accreditation, there is another type of accreditation called 'specialized accreditation'. Specialized accreditation is usually awarded to an individual department or educational program within a larger school or college.

This could be, for example, a College of Medicine which is part of a larger university, or simply a particular specialized course of study within the school such as a teacher certification program that's taught by a school.

Typically, a school that carries a specialized accreditation also carries an institutional accreditation by one of the aforementioned six accreditation agencies.

If you're considering pursuing a career in one of the fields that commonly have specialized accreditation programs available, which include many health and medicine programs, commercial art and design, theology, engineering, culinary arts, accounting and law, check to see if the distance learning program you're considering participates in this type of accreditation. That way you'll have a better chance of landing a high-paying job when you graduate.

How to check a distance learning program's accreditation

It might surprise you to learn there is an accreditation organization whose job it is to accreditate all other accreditation organizations.

That's the education industry's way of ensuring that no bogus accreditation organizations spring up to support diploma mills and low-quality schools.

This organization is called the Council on Higher Education Accreditation and they operate a web site at www.chea.org. Only recognized accreditors and accredited schools are permitted to be listed on this web site.

If the distance learning school in which you're considering enrolling claims to be accredited and either that school or the agency that accreditates it is not listed on the CHEA.org web site, you should investigate further as something is definitely wrong. 

Distance Learning