When students are looking for a college, one important consideration is whether it is accredited. Students who attend an accredited institution are eligible to receive federal (and sometimes state) grants and loans. They also find it easier to transfer credits, to seek admission into graduate schools, to receive grant tuition reimbursement from employers, and to be recognized by parents’ health insurance.
Colleges and universities are awarded accreditation after successfully undergoing a voluntary external review by a private accrediting agency to evaluate the quality of their institution and how effectively they are meeting their stated mission. While the evaluation criteria among accrediting agencies tend to be similar—measuring such areas as
expected student achievement, curriculum, and faculty—not all forms of accreditation are equal. Most accredited colleges and universities are divided into two basic types: regional or national accreditation. What’s the difference?
National
National accrediting organizations operate throughout the country and usually accredit single-purpose institutions focused on a specific mission, such as business. About 35 percent of this type are degree-granting and 65 percent are non-degree-granting. Four faith-based accrediting organizations—such as the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) and the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation (ABHE)—accredit about 400 faith-based institutions. According to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), students who attend a nationally accredited institution sometimes have difficulty transferring and getting their credits accepted by regionally accredited schools. Because decisions about transfer of credit are made at the local level by colleges and universities, reasons for denying credits may vary widely.
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Accredited colleges and universities accept degrees earned at Maranatha as a foundation for graduate studies and accept credits earned for transfer. |
Regional
In terms of sheer numbers and status, the most recognized type of accreditation in the United States is regional accreditation. Of the approximately 20 million students enrolled in accredited colleges and universities, 17 million are in nearly 3,000 regionally accredited institutions. The institutions are accredited by one of six regional accrediting agencies covering different geographical regions (Middle States, New England, North Central, Northwest, Southern, and Western). The agencies are in turn recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and CHEA, a private organization.
Since 1993, Maranatha has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, part of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org. Ph: 312-263-0456). This regional accrediting organization focuses on quality improvement and encourages Maranatha to accomplish its mission. Accredited public, private, and Christian colleges and universities accept degrees earned at Maranatha as a foundation for graduate studies and accept credits earned for transfer. Maranatha chose regional over national accreditation for two reasons. First, national accreditation tends to be very prescriptive; there are specific requirements concerning curriculum, faculty standards, etc. North Central is more flexible and allows the schools to establish and maintain their own identity. Second, the faith-based accrediting agencies routinely interject "faith" exercises into their meetings and expectations, something the regional agencies do not do. Maranatha has no desire to participate in religious activities with the non-Baptist, nonfundamentalist schools in the faith-based accrediting agencies. (Note: Although this has not been the case, if at any point we would have to compromise our mission to maintain accreditation, we certainly would give up our regional accreditation. While accreditation is valuable for our students, maintaining our mission is paramount.)
Recently a number of fundamental Christian colleges have pursued accreditation. We believe this is a good thing and rejoice in the successes of these sister institutions and believe their decisions will benefits both their current students and graduates. Each college or university makes these important choices guided by their history and values. We respect their choices and value their friendship.
Programmatic Accreditation
Programs, departments, or schools within an institution can also be accredited. Most programmatic accrediting agencies review units within a college or university that is accredited by one of the regional accrediting commissions. In addition to North Central Association accreditation, for example, Maranatha is pursuing nursing accreditation with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), an autonomous accrediting agency that ensures the quality and integrity of education programs preparing effective nurses. Some programmatic accrediting agencies accredit vocational institutions and educational programs within non-educational settings, such as hospitals.
No Accreditation
Just because a college is not accredited does not mean it is necessarily poor in quality. Some institutions are new and have not met minimum requirements for review, or they may have chosen not to pursue accreditation for other reasons, which they should be willing to articulate. If your child is considering an unaccredited college, find out whether the college has a different form of review to evaluate and improve its quality. Also, check with potential graduate schools and employers to see whether they would accept degrees from the institution.
Fake Accreditors
With the advent of distance learning, in which legitimate colleges and universities let students earn degrees by taking classes online, "diploma mills" are also on the rise. These bogus schools issue fake diplomas and transcripts, usually in exchange for money and minimal (or no) coursework. Fake accrediting organizations are also proliferating (there were 260 in 2003), lending an air of legitimacy to the dubious degree mills. To ensure that your child enrolls in an institution accredited by a U.S.-recognized accrediting organization, check the list at this website: www.chea.org/pdf/CHEA_USDE_AllAccred.pdf.
Accreditation is a multi-faceted issue. If accreditation is an important factor in your college choice, you should carefully ask questions of independent sources regarding types and effectiveness of various accrediting organizations.