Why Is Accreditation So Important?

Accreditation is invaluable for online institutions and their students. According to the U.S. Department of Education, “The goal of accreditation is to ensure that the education provided by institutions of higher education meets acceptable levels of quality.” When deciding which online school to attend, prospective students should be wary of institutions that aren't accredited, and aim to take courses only from an online college that is regionally or nationally accredited. By doing so, students can be sure that they are receiving an education that is being held to a high standard of quality.

Earning Accredited Status

To become accredited, an online school must be reviewed by an impartial organization in order to verify the integrity of the school's academics. This process involves a combination of self-evaluation and critiques conducted by an accrediting commission, and it can take years to fully complete. In the end, if an online school is deemed worthy of accreditation, it then agrees to abide by the standards, policies, and criteria established by the accrediting commission. The possible loss of accreditation can serve as an external motivator for a school to continually self-improve.

According to e-Learning Frameworks for NCLB, an online institution is held to accreditation standards comparable to those used to evaluate traditional institutions, but the different educational methods are recognized and taken into account. The Universal Council for Online Education Accreditation (UCOEA), for instance, rigorously evaluates an institution's use of technology, its educational programs, its use of Internet resources, and how its strategies enhance the learning experience of its students. The UCOEA claims that the evaluation criteria it uses are intended to encourage online institutions to achieve higher levels of quality and greater efficiency while providing a “system for public trust.”

The Benefits of Accreditation

Accreditation brings recognition to online institutions for meeting the specific standards set by accrediting councils. It serves as an indicator of quality for governmental officials, educators, counselors, employees, and the general public. Several states even give accredited schools special status under legislation and regulations. Local, state, and federal agencies also give special recognition to accredited online schools by referring prospective students to them.

Accreditation benefits students, staff members, and the school itself in significant ways:

• Financial Aid: Students who attend non-accredited institutions are not eligible for federal financial aid, whereas those who attend accredited online programs are eligible candidates.
• Transfer Credits: Accreditation improves the likelihood (though it is not guaranteed) that the academic credits of a graduate or transfer student from an online school will be accepted at other academic institutions.
• Staff Recognition: An accredited school's staff members might be asked to serve on accreditation examining committees and evaluate other institutions, which is a valuable professional development opportunity. 
• Credibility: Most importantly, accreditation offers increased credibility to online schools. Earning the status of an accredited school means that an impartial accrediting commission believes the online institution's academic goals are well formed, its educational programs are designed to deliver high-quality education, and its objectives are being successfully met. The accreditation commission also confirms that the online school is staffed appropriately, is well-supported, and its programs are well-organized.

Not only does accreditation ensure the high quality of an institution's academics, but it also provides the school with an opportunity to improve the quality of its education. The accreditation commission provides resources with which an online institution can compare its offerings—e.g. courses, academic and extracurricular programs, facilities, and procedures—with other online institutions.

According to UCOEA, the greatest value of accreditation lies in the process itself. It encourages schools to self-evaluate, voluntarily monitor their own operations, and ensure that their programs are of the highest quality.

Article Resources:

Accreditation in the United States
Universal Council for Online Education Accreditation
World Online Education Accrediting Commission