With so many online colleges to choose from, finding the one that's right for you is often easier said than done. As you narrow down your options, there's a lot to keep in mind — from program cost and credit-hour requirements to learning format and rigor. One thing you won't want to overlook is accreditation.
If you've spent any amount of time researching online schools, there's a good chance you've come across the term "accreditation." But what does it mean, why does it matter, and how can you determine whether a college you're considering is properly accredited?
We're diving into this and more in the sections below, so read on to learn all about college accreditation. And if you explore Bay Path University as an option, you can rest assured that our school is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
What Is Accreditation — and Why It Matters
What is college accreditation, exactly?
Accreditation refers to a voluntary process that institutions of higher learning may complete to certify that individual degree programs or entire schools meet certain quality standards set forth by an authorized, independent agency.
In the words of the United States Department of Education (DOE), "accreditation ensures that institutions of higher education meet acceptable levels of quality."
Why Accreditation Should Be a Top Priority
Finding accredited online colleges is important in your school search for a number of reasons. For starters, potential employers may review your credentials to ensure that your degrees and/or certificates have come from an accredited school — which could impact your future job search. The same concept applies if you have plans to attend graduate school or further your education down the road; if your previous degree doesn't come from an accredited school, you may not be eligible for admission to a more advanced program.
In the short term, while you are enrolled in college, you may not be eligible for federal financial aid (including subsidized/unsubsidized student loans and grants) if the program in which you've enrolled isn't accredited.
How Accreditation Works in Higher Education
Accreditation can be somewhat confusing, especially since there are different types and different entities that can grant those types of accreditations.
Institutional Accreditation vs. Programmatic Accreditation
The two main types of accreditation are institutional and programmatic. When a college is institutionally accredited, this means that the entire school has been accredited.
In some cases, individual programs or departments within a college may also seek out programmatic accreditation. This is a more specialized type of accreditation that ensures individual programs meet certain requirements for quality and often workforce/license preparation.
Who Grants Accreditation
The entity that grants accreditation can vary depending on the type of accreditation being pursued, among other factors. Typically, institutional accreditation is granted by a state or regional organization. Programmatic accreditation, on the other hand, is more likely to be handled by professional organizations. Healthcare programs, for example, may be accredited by:
● MABORN
● Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling
● ARC-PA
The Accreditation Review Process
Even once a school or program has been accredited, it must demonstrate a continuous commitment to meeting or exceeding quality standards. In most cases, this includes undergoing a review process once every five to ten years for re-evaluation. For some types of accreditation, annual reporting must also be completed to maintain the accreditation status of a school or program.
Types of Accreditation You Should Know
We already touched briefly on the different types of accreditation to look for as you explore online colleges — but if you want to know more, we're going into the specifics below.
The two main types of accreditation you might come across in your research include:
- Institutional - Formerly known as regional accreditation, this refers to the general accreditation of an entire school, college, or university. In order to be eligible for federal financial aid, an institution must be accredited by an accreditor recognized by the US Department of Education.
- Programmatic - A more specialized type of accreditation that may apply to individual departments or degree programs. While not all programs require accreditation, many fields (including nursing and education) require students to earn a degree from an accredited program to be formally licensed.
Accreditation and Online Degrees: What’s Different?
Online degree accreditation (and online school accreditation) can differ slightly from accreditation at a school that offers on-campus programs.
Online vs. On-Campus Degrees
While the standards for institutional accreditation remain more or less the same between online and on-campus schools, the type of accreditation may differ.
Attending an Out-of-State Online Program
If you'll be attending an online program for a college that also has a physical campus out-of-state, you'll want to check whether the school is accredited by an accreditor recognized by the US Department of Education.
State Authorization and Online Learning
Depending on the field or industry you want to enter, you should consider specific accreditation requirements for earning any relevant licenses or certifications in your state of practice. In fields like healthcare and education, it’s common for programmatic accreditation to be required in a degree program. If your program doesn't have the appropriate accreditation, you may be ineligible to sit for your state licensing exam (or equivalent).
Why Accreditation Impacts Your Future
No matter your program of study, choosing an accredited online college could impact your future in a number of ways.
Financial Aid Eligibility
At the very least, selecting an accredited online college means you could be eligible for federal financial aid under Title IV. Specifically, the DOE requires that a college participating in Title IV has been institutionally accredited and authorized to operate by the state in which it is located.
Credit Transferability
If you plan to transfer any of your college credits at some point, having credits from an accredited school makes them more likely to be accepted for transfer. On the other hand, if your credits are from a non-accredited college, you may be required to re-take them, costing you both time and money.
Graduate School and Career Advancement
Is graduate school on your long-term radar? If so, keep in mind that grad schools will check to see if your undergraduate degree came from an accredited college. If not, then you may not meet their admission criteria. The same applies if you're in a field that requires licensing; a degree from a non-accredited program may not be applicable to earning your state license or certification.
Employer Perception and Degree Credibility
When it comes time to apply for jobs in your field, having a degree from an accredited school could help boost your professional credibility. It is not uncommon for employers to research applicants' colleges and degree programs, so this is an important factor to keep in mind.
How to Verify University or College Accreditation
Not sure where to begin when determining whether a college or program is accredited? Here are some steps you can take to figure it all out.
Review the School’s Website Carefully
Schools and programs that have gone through the accreditation process often advertise this fact clearly on their website. Some schools may even have an entire "accreditation" page where they list their institutional and programmatic accreditations for prospective students. This information may be found on individual program pages as well.
Ask Admissions Questions
If you have any trouble finding a school's accreditation information or have additional questions, don't hesitate to reach out to the admissions team for clarification.
Red Flags to Watch For
As you research online schools and degree programs, there are a few "red flags" worth watching out for.
Unrecognized Accrediting Agencies
Make sure that a school that claims to be accredited has actually been accredited by a reputable and legitimate entity, such as a state/commission of higher learning or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. If the accrediting agency listed doesn't seem legitimate, or if you can't find good information about it online, you may want to seek your online degree elsewhere.
Vague or Missing Accreditation Information
A school that has been accredited will specify not just the type of accreditation but also the agency that issued it. If this information is missing or if it seems vaguely written, this should be viewed as a major red flag.
Promises That Sound Too Good to Be True
Last but not least, be on the lookout for promissory language that sounds too good to be true — not just around accreditation, but about program outcomes in general.
Accreditation vs. Overall Online Degree Credibility
There's no denying the importance of accreditation as you explore your online schooling options. However, this is far from the only factor you should be thinking about.
Accreditation Is the Foundation — But Not the Only Factor
In addition to choosing a reputable and accredited school, other factors to consider include:
- Available learning formats (synchronous, asynchronous, hybrid, etc.)
- Student support services and resources available (such as online tutoring and virtual office hours)
- Experiential learning opportunities
Choosing a Program That Aligns With Your Goals
Remember to keep your long-term career goals in mind as you choose an online degree or certificate program. For some, an online degree could be a means to an end. For others, it may be the first step in a longer academic journey that includes graduate school and/or a terminal degree. By choosing a program that aligns with your big-picture goals, you can set yourself up for greater success.
Find Accredited Online Programs at Bay Path
When choosing an online college, accreditation may not be the only criteria that matters — but it's something you certainly won't want to overlook. Now that you have a better understanding of why accreditation matters, how to check college accreditation, and the different types of accreditation available, you can continue your college search with a greater degree of confidence.
At Bay Path University, we take pride in our institutional accreditation by the NECHE and the fact that our school meets or exceeds the criteria for assessment through a peer review process. Request information to learn more about our accreditation or any of our online programs offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
