National Accreditation Agencies
National accrediting agencies accredit post-secondary institutions across the United States and are recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as reliable authorities on the quality of the institutions they accredit. Some are also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about national accrediting agencies. Read the articles in BrainTrack's College Accreditation 101 section to learn more about accreditation in general.
What is the role of these agencies?
National accrediting agencies accredit educational institutions that focus on career-oriented programs rather than academically-oriented programs or are faith-based schools which have curriculums that differ from traditional academic schools. In some cases, a school will obtain both a regional and a national accreditation as is the case for some online schools that offer academic programs and other schools that offer both career and academic programs.
What are the benefits of national accreditation?
- Financial Aid - Schools accredited by national accreditation agencies that are recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education are eligible to offer federal financial aid.
- Highly valued - Employers value an education at an accredited school more than that of an unaccredited school.
- Quality - Students will know that the program has been reviewed by outside experts and meet quality standards defined by the accrediting agency.
What is the scope of the schools they accredit?
National accrediting agencies usually accredit an entire institution although some agencies are considered hybrids in that they also provide accreditation to individual programs as well. Each agency has a defined scope as described below; these overlap considerably across agencies. Many of these agencies also accredit schools overseas that meet specific criteria but these accreditations are not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
What are examples of well-known national accrediting agencies?
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
Over 850 schools who educate 250,000 students annually are accredited by the ACCSC. This commission accredits private post-secondary career schools and colleges. This includes schools that grant degrees through the master's level and non-degree granting institutions which provide career, vocational, technical and trade education.
Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
The ACICS accredits about 700 institutions who educate about 650,000 students annually. Their scope includes private post-secondary schools and colleges that educate students for professional, technical or occupational careers, including online schools. The schools may be degree-granting up through the master's level or non-degree granting colleges and schools. This agency is also recognized by the CHEA.
Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)
The DETC accredits post-secondary schools that provide education primarily through distance education methods. These schools may offer degrees up through the professional doctoral level or be non degree-granting. Many academic DETC accredited schools are also regionally accredited. This council currently has about 100 accredited schools and is recognized by the CHEA.
Council on Occupational Education (COE)
This accrediting organization has about 475 accredited vocational, technical and trade schools nationally. Their scope encompasses occupational education institutions that are non-degree granting and/or grant applied associate's degrees. Accredited schools include public and private, profit and non-profit, military, department of defense and Job Corps training centers.
Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) Commission on Accreditation
The ABHE accredits over 100 postsecondary institutions that have enrollment of over 35,000 students each year. They accredit faith-based schools specializing in education for Christian church or church-related vocations. They also provide programmatic accreditation to programs within a school that holds accreditation by another recognized agency. This agency is recognized by the CHEA.
Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET)
The scope of educational institutions the ACCET accredits includes any type of non-collegiate training or educational program or any organization that offers education. This includes primarily private career schools and training organizations but also includes corporate training departments, trade associations, labor union training programs and intensive English programs.
Resources
Council for Higher Education Accreditation
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