| Since the US does not have a special cabinet or | | | | - Student affairs materials (distance learning) |
| department that monitors postsecondary education, | | | | - Evidence of adequate record keeping |
| accreditation was created so students could learn | | | | - Student surveys |
| more about the quality of education they would | | | | - Faculty and administration background information |
| receive when attending certain colleges and | | | | As you can see, becoming accredited by an |
| universities. | | | | accreditation agency is a rigorous process. Programs |
| Accreditation is awarded to postsecondary schools | | | | that become accredited have proven they are |
| by various agencies, both regional and national, that | | | | worthy teaching institutions. |
| have their own requirements schools must pass in | | | | Don't be fooled to choose a Non-Accredited Online |
| order to consider themselves accredited. A short list | | | | Program |
| of these agencies includes the following: | | | | If you decide to transfer to another college after |
| - Middle States Association of Colleges and | | | | completing your degree, most colleges and |
| Universities, Commission on Higher Education | | | | universities will only allow you to transfer credits from |
| - New England Association of Colleges and | | | | accredited schools. By choosing an accredited online |
| Universities, Commission Institutions on Higher | | | | degree program, you're choosing a program that is |
| Education | | | | recognized not only by one or more educational |
| - New England Association of Colleges and | | | | agencies, but also other colleges, universities and |
| Universities, Commission on Technical and Career | | | | employers. |
| Institutions | | | | If you try to seek employment after graduation |
| - Distance Learning and Training Council, Accrediting | | | | from a program that's not accredited, most |
| Commission | | | | employers will not want to hire you. This is because |
| When looking for an online degree program, one way | | | | they may feel the education you received was not |
| to judge the level of education you will receive is to | | | | of acceptable education standards for the positions |
| look for agencies that have accredited the institution | | | | they have available. Furthermore, they have no way |
| or the program and visit their websites to see which | | | | of qualifying if it's genuine. |
| criteria they've used to determine the program's | | | | When choosing an online program, look for |
| worth or if the institution is accredited at all. An | | | | accreditation symbols on the school's website. Most |
| accredited online degree can help employers and | | | | schools have a page devoted to accreditation. If |
| others validate the education you've received. | | | | you're still unsure, you can contact the issuing agency |
| How Does an Online Program Become Accredited? | | | | to find out when the accreditation was given and if it |
| According to the Distance Education and Training | | | | is legit. |
| Council 2008 accreditation handbook, institutions | | | | An online accredited degree is very important for |
| seeking accreditation from this agency must provide | | | | your future. Whether you transfer to another school |
| the following information in order to be considered: | | | | or you want to find a job, the school you attend can |
| - Clearly outlined mission statement | | | | have an impact. Even though accreditation may not |
| - Program curriculum, outlines and objectives | | | | seem like much of an indication of the school's |
| - Instructional materials and testing materials | | | | academic offerings, it's a good place to start when |
| - Curriculum for online study | | | | you want to find the best education investment of |
| - Study instructions | | | | your time and money. |
| - Learning resources | | | | |