Programmatic Accreditation Agencies
Programmatic accrediting agencies, which are also known as specialized agencies, accredit post-secondary educational programs across the United States. Some of these agencies also accredit an entire school if the only subject-matter taught is within the scope of the agency. Each agency has a specific type of program they accredit. Recognition by the U.S. Secretary of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is validation that they are reliable authorities on the quality of the programs they accredit. Answers to some most frequently asked questions about programmatic agencies are discussed below. To learn more about accreditation in general, see BrainTrack's accredition articles.
What role do programmatic accrediting agencies play?
These accrediting agencies specialize in one area of study and are therefore able to assess a program or school's quality against specific criteria that are relevant to the area of study. For professions that require licensing such as doctor, nurse, teacher, lawyer and others the student's school must be accredited by the appropriate programmatic agency as a requirement of licensing.
What are the benefits of this type of accreditation?
- Highly valued - Employers in various fields place a higher value on an education from an appropriately accredited school.
- Quality - Students will know that their school meets quality standards set by professionals knowledgeable in their specific field of study.
- Credit Transfers - Transferring credits between schools that share the same or similar programmatic accreditation is likely to be easier.
- Financial Aid - Although uncommon, if the school is not already recognized by a regional or national agency, programmatic accreditation will make them eligible to offer federal financial aid if the agency is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
What are examples of major programmatic accrediting agencies?
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
NCATE accredits over 650 teacher education programs and schools. Their scope includes any program that prepares P – 12 teachers and administrators. Candidates for a teacher's license must usually have completed their teacher education at a school accredited by either NCATE or the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC), which accredits less than 100 schools.
American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar
This organization accredits law schools and programs and includes over 170 accredited institutions. All but five states require candidates for the bar exam to have graduated from a school accredited by the American Bar Association.
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
CCNE accredits nursing schools that grant baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees. There are over 530 nursing programs accredited by the CCNE. State licensing boards require that nurses have graduated from a school accredited by the CCNE or the NLNAC (see next agency).
National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)
The NLNAC accredits all nursing programs including non-degree granting and degree-granting programs. There are over 1000 schools that are actively accredited. Nursing license requirements include graduation from a NLNAC or CCNE accredited school.
American Dental Association (ADA)
The ADA's Commission on Dental Accreditation accredits over 1000 dental schools and programs which provide training and degrees in dental medicine. Their scope covers schools and programs that provide doctoral training as well as those that provide dental assisting, dental hygiene and dental laboratory technician training.Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)
The LCME accredits medical schools in the U.S. and Canada that lead to a MD degree. The committee is sponsored jointly by the Association of American Medical Colleges and the American Medical Association. Most state licensing boards require that candidates graduate from a LCME accredited program or school. The U.S. Medical Licensing Exam can only be taken by students who graduated from a LCME accredited school. There are currently over 130 LCME accredited MD programs in the U.S.
Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
The CEPH accredits schools and programs that prepare students for careers in public health with the primary degree earned being the Master of Public Health (MPH). The CEPH currently accredits over 100 schools and programs.
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
The AVMA accredits schools that offer Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine degrees as well as veterinary technology education programs. Most state licensing boards require Veterinarian candidates have earned their degree at an AVMA accredited school or program. The AVMA accredits about 150 doctorate schools and programs and about 160 veterinary technology programs.
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
The AACSB provides accreditation to degree-granting programs of business or management. This agency is not recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education but is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Over 590 programs are accredited by the AACSB and about 175 programs have additional specialized accreditation for accounting.
ABET accredits degree-granting engineering and technology programs including engineering, computing and applied science programs. There are about 2,900 programs at over 600 schools accredited by ABET. ABET is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) but not the U.S. Secretary of Education.
National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
Over 290 schools are accredited by the NASAD. This commission accredits schools offering undergraduate and/or graduate degrees as well as non-degree granting schools that teach visual arts disciplines. These disciplines include, but are not limited to, fine arts, graphic design, interior design, fashion design and photography.
Resources
U.S. Department of Education: Specialized Accrediting Agencies.
Council for Higher Education Accreditation: Programmatic Accrediting Organizations
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