The Value of Accreditation

Accreditation:

• Encourages confidence that an institution’s or program’s presentation of the education it provides is fair and accurate, including the description of services available to students and the accomplishments of its graduates.
• Assures that a neutral, external party (the accrediting organization) has reviewed the quality of education provided and has found it to be satisfactory, based upon appropriate peer expertise.
• Confirms that institutions and programs have processes in place to meet changes in thinking within the academy and in the public’s expectations.
• Provides for eligible students to have access to federal financial aid if they attend institutions accredited by accreditors that are “recognized” or scrutinized for quality by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE).
• Assists with transfer of credits among institutions or admission to graduate school, with student mobility more likely to be successful among accredited institutions as compared to unaccredited institutions.
• Aids with entrance to a profession, when a particular field may require graduation from an accredited program or institution.
• Signals prospective employers that an educational program has met widely accepted educational standards (NCATE, 2011).