Accreditation Of Online Schools And Programs

Understanding Accreditation of Online Education Programs

One of the things that a prospective student should look at when evaluating on-line education programs is the accreditation of the institution and, potentially, accreditation of the program of study itself. Accreditation is an important indicator of quality for programs and educational institutions. Accreditation by an accrediting agency that is nationally recognized by U.S. Department of Education (USDE) is also one of the eligibility requirements for an institution to be eligible to participate in the Federal student financial assistance programs that are administered by the United States Department of Education under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (1). Because of this, it is important for a prospective student to have some knowledge of accreditation and how to evaluate the accreditation status of schools offering on-line programs of study.

A Brief Overview of Accreditation

Accreditation is a process of peer-review of educational institutions and programs against established quality criteria. This review is performed by non-governmental, private educational associations known as accrediting agencies. Accrediting agencies are either regional or national in scope. They are also either institutional accreditors or specialized or programmatic in nature. Institutional accreditors provide accreditation for an entire educational institution. Specialized or programmatic accreditors provide accreditation for specific schools or programs within a larger institution. In some instances, in the case professional or vocational schools dedicated to a single discipline, the specialized accreditation may serve as the de facto institutional accreditor.

Accrediting agencies are in turn reviewed by the U.S. Department of Education to insure that they are "...reliable authorities as to the quality of education or training provided..." (2) In addition, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is a non-governmental, private and independent organization that "provides scrutiny and certification of the quality of regional, faith-based, private career and programmatic accrediting organizations." (3)

The 6 regional accrediting agencies, and their 8 commissions involved with accrediting post-secondary educational institutions, are generally believed to be the highest form of accreditation among the education community. (4) However, any school accredited by a regional, national, or specialized accrediting agency that is recognized by the USDE and/or the CHEA can be considered to provide a quality education. It should, however, again be noted that USDE recognition is necessary and one of the criteria for an educational institution to participate in the Federal student financial assistance programs.

Accreditation and On-Line Learning

According to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, 17 of the 19 "recognized" (5) institutional accreditors actively scrutinize distance learning, of which on-line learning is a part. (6) "Scrutiny" means that they are applying their quality criteria to distance learning offerings and degrees. All 17 of the accrediting organizations performing this function with regard to distance learning are recognized by both the USDE and CHEA. On-line offerings from institutions accredited by one of these 17 organizations can be deemed to have met certain quality standards. These organizations include:

• Regional Accreditation Organizations - These organizations are adopting common criteria for evaluating distance learning offerings. (7)
• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Technical and Career Institutions
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
• Northwest Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities; Commission on Colleges and Universities
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities
• National Accreditation Organizations - These organizations have independent standards for evaluating distance learning.
• Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology
• Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
• Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training
• Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
• Association for Biblical higher Education
• Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, Commission on Accrediting
• Council on Occupational Education
• Distance Education and Training Council
• Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools Accrediting Commission

In addition to these institutional accrediting organizations, the following specialized or programmatic agencies are recognized by the USDE for distance education:

• American College of Nurse-Midwives, Division of Accreditation
• American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation
• American Dietetic Association, Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education
• American Occupational Therapy Association, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
• American Physical Therapy Association, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
• American Podiatric Medical Association, Council on Podiatric Medical Education
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
• Council on Education for Public Health
• Midwifery Education Accreditation Council
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

Verify Accreditation Status

The status of an accrediting agency can change with the USDE and CHEA, calling into question the quality of institutions accredited by that agency. In addition, accreditation agencies monitor and periodically reevaluate accredited schools. Based on these actions the accreditation status of a school or institution can change. Unscrupulous institutions can also make false claims about their accreditation. For these reasons it is important for a prospective student to verify the accreditation status of any educational institution that they are thinking of attending as well as the organizations providing that accreditation. See the resources that follow for listings of recognized accreditors and accredited schools.

Accreditation Resources

• Accreditation in the United States, U.S. Department of Education
• CHEA and USDE Recognized Accreditors, Council for Higher Education Accreditation
• Database of Accredited Programs and Institutions, U.S. Department of Education
• FACT SHEET #1, OVERVIEW OF ACCREDITATION, Council for Higher Education Accreditation, September 2001
• FACT SHEET #2, THE ROLE OF ACCREDITATION AND ASSURING QUALITY IN ELECTRONICALLY DELIVERED DISTANCE LEARNING, Council for Higher Education Accreditation, September 2001
• FACT SHEET #6, Important Questions about “Diploma Mills” and “Accreditation Mills”, Council for Higher Education Accreditation, May 2003
• Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies, U.S. Department of Education

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Notes:

1. Overview of Accreditation, U.S. Department of Education
2. Overview of Accreditation, U.S. Department of Education
3. Council for Higher Education Accreditation… Accreditation Serving the Public Interest, Council for Higher Education Accreditation
4. Accreditation: A Detailed Explanation of Why it Matters, University Continuing Education Association
5. "Recognized" means the the accreditation agency is recognized by the USDE and/or the CHEA
6. FACT SHEET #2, THE ROLE OF ACCREDITATION AND ASSURING QUALITY IN ELECTRONICALLY DELIVERED DISTANCE LEARNING, Council for Higher Education Accreditation, September 2001
7. Statement of Commitment by the Regional Accrediting Commissions for the Evaluation of Electronically Offered Degree and Certificate Programs