what does school accreditation mean?
Schools and Steaks???
Let's say you're in a grocery store and looking for a fine steak to cook for dinner. You pick up two steaks, both look delicious, red and fresh. They weigh and cost the same. There's only one difference... one steak has a USDA seal of approval on the package and the other does not. Which one would you choose? Now replace those two similar steaks with two similar universities - imagine that one school has received its accreditation from a group of its peers and the other school has no such accreditation. As with the steak you'll likely choose the accredited school.
Accreditation Associations
So what exactly is accreditation and how do schools go about getting it? Nearly all educational institutions in the US that focus on academics (including elementary, middle and high schools, and public and private universities) receive their accreditation from one of six regional accreditation associations. These associations are made up of fellow academics, peers and other schools, and each institution must go through a rigorous review in order to be approved for accreditation. In addition to the regional accreditors there are also national accreditation bodies that focus on vocational, technical and career schools. As with the regional accreditors, these agencies accredit schools based on peer reviews and general standards that must be maintained.
Academic Self-Governence
Unlike many other countries around the world, the federal government has no responsibility for monitoring schools and ensuring that they maintain their school accreditation. The federal government, however, is responsible for recognizing the reputable accrediting agencies, and providing guidance and resources to assist these agencies. Accrediting associations are made up of industry veterans and educators at the top of their fields, holding their fellow schools up to acceptable and consistent standards; they are entirely self-governed and self-funded, and a fine example of a community self-regulating and upholding performance.
Why It's Important to You
So do you need to find an accredited school in order to get a good education? Well, no. There are schools that for one reason or another decide that accreditation is not important to them. But as a student (and eventual graduate!) it is very important to you. Having a degree from an accredited university rather than a non-accredited university will have benefits to you when you're asked about your degree. A degree from a non-accredited school can be called in to question much more easily by a potential employer, another school or clients. If you don't plan to use your degree to enhance your career, or you will never be in a position where your degree will make a difference to other people, than a non-accredited degree might be just fine. But if it's an even choice, always take the accreditation!
School accreditation is a standard by which a school's curriculum and operations are judged against their peer schools. It's vital for a school to attain and keep it's accreditation, as students have become increasingly hesitant to enroll in non-accredited institutions.
Let's say you're in a grocery store and looking for a fine steak to cook for dinner. You pick up two steaks, both look delicious, red and fresh. They weigh and cost the same. There's only one difference... one steak has a USDA seal of approval on the package and the other does not. Which one would you choose? Now replace those two similar steaks with two similar universities - imagine that one school has received its accreditation from a group of its peers and the other school has no such accreditation. As with the steak you'll likely choose the accredited school.
Accreditation Associations
So what exactly is accreditation and how do schools go about getting it? Nearly all educational institutions in the US that focus on academics (including elementary, middle and high schools, and public and private universities) receive their accreditation from one of six regional accreditation associations. These associations are made up of fellow academics, peers and other schools, and each institution must go through a rigorous review in order to be approved for accreditation. In addition to the regional accreditors there are also national accreditation bodies that focus on vocational, technical and career schools. As with the regional accreditors, these agencies accredit schools based on peer reviews and general standards that must be maintained.
Academic Self-Governence
Unlike many other countries around the world, the federal government has no responsibility for monitoring schools and ensuring that they maintain their school accreditation. The federal government, however, is responsible for recognizing the reputable accrediting agencies, and providing guidance and resources to assist these agencies. Accrediting associations are made up of industry veterans and educators at the top of their fields, holding their fellow schools up to acceptable and consistent standards; they are entirely self-governed and self-funded, and a fine example of a community self-regulating and upholding performance.
Why It's Important to You
So do you need to find an accredited school in order to get a good education? Well, no. There are schools that for one reason or another decide that accreditation is not important to them. But as a student (and eventual graduate!) it is very important to you. Having a degree from an accredited university rather than a non-accredited university will have benefits to you when you're asked about your degree. A degree from a non-accredited school can be called in to question much more easily by a potential employer, another school or clients. If you don't plan to use your degree to enhance your career, or you will never be in a position where your degree will make a difference to other people, than a non-accredited degree might be just fine. But if it's an even choice, always take the accreditation!
School accreditation is a standard by which a school's curriculum and operations are judged against their peer schools. It's vital for a school to attain and keep it's accreditation, as students have become increasingly hesitant to enroll in non-accredited institutions.