Does College Accreditation Really Matter?

Students considering colleges, career schools and online degree programs are often confused by the concept and meaning of accreditation. And, they frequently confuse it with state licensure, which is very different.

State licensure allows a school or college to operate legally. But, the standards a school or college must meet to be state licensed are often pretty low. The criteria for accreditation are far higher. So, be wary of a school or college that talks about licensure but not accreditation.

It is even more important to realize that many colleges and universities, especially online colleges and universities (those with no traditional, campus-based degree programs), claim accreditation from agencies which are not recognized by the United States Department of Education. While some of these unrecognized accrediting agencies may make a legitimate attempt to evaluate and insist on some measure of quality from the colleges and universities they accredit, their stamp of approval is generally meaningless in the professional world and in the world of fully accredited (online and traditional) colleges and universities.

For example, in their help wanted announcements, schools, colleges, and universities virtually always require that applicants hold degrees from institutions accredited by U.S. Department of Education recognized agencies.

Accredited colleges and universities will almost never accept transfer credit for courses completed at unaccredited colleges or colleges. And, they do not differentiate between colleges with no accreditation at all and those with so-called accreditation offered by unrecognized agencies.

Of course, students who want a degree only for personal satisfaction may initially not think accreditation is of much importance. But, if they reconsider, even those students should want to earn a degree that is viewed as a valuable credential; a degree that demonstrates that they have completed a rigorous academic program; a degree from a college or university that has proven that it meets the highest educational standards. That is why students should always find out which agency accredits a college they are considering, and go to the U.S. Department of Education website to be sure that the agency is government recognized.

Nobody can promise that, just because it's accredited, you'll be happy at an individual college or university. But accreditation does virtually guarantee you the advantages of qualified instructors and a well conceived curriculum. And, it means that employers are likely to recognize your degree as a meaningful credential which demonstrates motivation and expertise.

Article Source: http://www.articlesboard.com

Daniel Kane has worked as a school counselor and university dean. He authored and maintains one website on online degrees another on online colleges and scholarships, and more than a half dozen additional education sites.
This article is available as a unique content article with free reprint rights.

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