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Accreditation
| Publish date | 2007-09-14 |
| Available Articles | Full articles without membership |
For your doctoral degree to be recognized by employers and universities, and for your credits to be transferable to another accredited institution, accreditation is virtually a necessity.
There are two kinds of accreditation:
- Regional accreditation of the university
- Specialized or professional accreditation of certain programs
Regional Accreditation
Regional accreditation ensures that the university meets established standards of quality. To be eligible for federal student loans, a student must attend an accredited institution.
Six regional accrediting bodies are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education:
- The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
- Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, New England Association of Schools and Colleges
- Northwest Association of Accredited Schools
- Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities, Western Association of Schools and Colleges
To research accredited institutions, see the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.
Professional Accreditation
Certain degree programs require accreditation by specialized accreditation bodies to be recognized by state-regulated professions. (Not all programs are eligible for specialized accreditation.) Without the appropriate professional accreditation, you may not be able to practice in that field or be hired by the federal government.
Source: DiscoverPhD.com
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