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What does it mean when an online college says that it is 'nationally accredited'?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
In the US, all legitimate accreditors are approved by either or both of the US Department of Education (USDE) and/or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
USDE and CHEA group the accreditors into four types... generally they are "Regional" accreditors, and then "national faith-related" accreditors, and then "national career-related" accreditors, and then "programmatic" accreditors.
"Regional" accreditation is by far the most common type... and the one most universally useful. Most K-12 schools in most cities, and most state colleges/universities, and most large and reputable private colleges/universities... they're all "regionally" accredited.
However, "nationally" accredited schools (be they faith-related, or career-related) are every bit as good as "regionally" accredited schools. They're just as rigorous, and they had to jump through exactly the same kinds of hoops as "regionally" accredited schools. For on-line schools, the most common "national" accreditor is the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) (see the Related Link below) That's not to say that all distance learning (of which "online" is a part) schools are only DETC ("nationally") accredited. Many "regionally" accredited schools have fully on-line (or other forms of distance learning) programs.
As long as any on-line program is accredited by a USDE- and/or CHEA-approved agency (be it a "national" or "regional" accreditor), then, theoretically, it should all be the same... one no minimally better than another. However, the sad truth is that many "regionally" accredited schools turn up their noses at credentials from "nationally" accredited schools. They're not supposed to, mind you... and CHEA's "HETA" program. See the Related Link below. is intended specifically to get more and more CHEA-accredited institutions to take seriously the credentials from any CHEA- or USDE-accredited school, no matter whether it's "nationally" or "regionally" accredited.
The safest route is to always ensure that the on-line (or any other kind of) school in which one is interested is "regionally" accredited. That kind of accreditation is the most common and universally useful. However, I, personally, would not hesitate to get a "nationally" accredited degree...
...but then, again, I know how to argue the point (and win said argument) with an admissions officer or registrar who subsequently turns up his/her nose at it. If the degree seeker who's shopping around for a school doesn't want to ever have to do something like that, then s/he should just opt for a "regionally" accredited school, and leave it at that.
The easiest way to figure how what kind of accreditation any given school has (or if it's even accredited at all) is to look it up in either or both of the USDE and/or CHEA databases, in the Related Links below.
Beyond that, to know whether any given school's accreditor is "regional" or "national," one would simply need to so familiarize himself/herself with the names of the so-called "six big regional accreditors"( See the Related Link below.)... that s/he could easily recognize their names when seeing them listed as any given school's accreditor.
There are about 3 different types of accreditation out there, Nationally, Regionally and specifically (a class or curriculum that is accredited. A regional accredited school is your typical ground state colleges or universities, where a freshman usually takes their first year a lot of general education classes. This is good for the student out of high school that hasn't found exactly what they want to do for a degree. A nationally accredited school is for the more focused type of student, their curriculum is more of the major core type classes dealing with the particular degree the student is pursuing and less of the general education classes.
You can use the internet to check if a school is accredited by a legitimate organization at a database of accredited academic institutions, posted by the U.S. Department of Education (There are a few legitimate institutions that have not pursued accreditation.)
To find out if an accrediting agency is legitimate, check the list of recognized national and regional accrediting agencies maintained by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoNationally accredited means that it is recognized as meeting certain standards by a board that reviews colleges. All colleges that are accredited have to meet the same standards.
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Is belford high real?
It is an accredited online school and college. In the United States, accredited educational institutes are considered legitimate and recognized. It is an online school this does not mean that it is unreal. Online education is becoming popular and it is just as real as traditional schools/colleges.
Is Woodfield university real?
If by real you mean that it is accredited recognized university then yes, Woodfield is an accredited online university. An online university is just as real as a traditional university.
What does it mean to have a 4-year degree in social work that is non-accredited?
AnswerIf the college was Not accredited, the degree will not have as much value as if you had gone to an accredited college. Whenever selecting a college, make sure their accreditation is current and that they have standards that will assure YOU, the student, that they will keep their accreditation.Basically, do NOT go to a school that is not accredited. It will be a waste of your money and time. Everyone who went to an accredited school will have an advantage over you in the job market and most likely have a better education.
Is Argrosy University regionally or nationally accredited?
Argosy University is regionally accredited. They are accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and a member of the North Central Association. The same governing body that accredits Notre Dame, Michigan, and Northwestern.Do you mean "Argosy University"? If so, the business programs are not accredited by AACSB. I can't find anything about regional accreditation.
Is John Adams Virtual School that offers GED and tradition High School classes accredited?
According to their website, they're accredited "by a third party service." Basically, that doesn't mean squat! Their diploma is NOT accepted by any tech school in Georgia, & quite a few other places as I'm finding out now. (After paying over $300 for a useless "diploma.") Check with whatever agency or school you're planning to use this for before spending your money, to see if it's accepted there.
Is Hill University genuine?
If by genuine you mean recognized then you should know that accredited universities and colleges are considered genuine in the United States. Hill is an accredited college so it is legitimate.
Where are the accredited online high schools in the US?
Answer 1: So far, I've only found one accredited school, Ashworth Career School, offers college prep diploma program and general high school diploma program.Answer 2: There are many accredited online high schools in the US. Ashworth's "James Madison High School" is but one! Ashworth College's direct competitor -- Penn Foster College -- also operates a high school; and it, too, is accredited.To be clear, "accredited," at the high school level, means accredited by an agency approved by the US Department of Education (USDE). But there's a caveat...USDE approves two kinds of accreditors:1) National accreditors2) Regional accreditorsThe six big USDE-approved "regional" accreditors are the ones that most people have heard about. Heck, some people don't even know that there's any other kind of accreditation. In fact, some people who know any better use the term "regionally accredited" or "regional accreditation" to mean just plain "accredited" or "accreditation." And that's because, again, they don't even realize that there's anything else; so they just use the two terms synonymously.However, among at least some of those who know anything at all about accreditation, there is a decided -- albeit insensible -- prejudice against schools that are "nationally" (rather than "regionally") accredited. This is true at both the high school (secondary) and college (post-secondary) levels; but it is especially true at the high school level!While a "nationally" accredited college, university, seminary or trade/career college's diploma may or may not be acceptable to employers, other colleges, or even governmental agencies......there is no question that a diploma from an only-"nationally" accredited high school will not be acceptable to most employers, most colleges/universities, and most governmental agencies which require a high school diploma for whatever reason.With most employers, colleges/universites, and governmental agencies which require a high school diploma for whatever reason, only one from a "regionally" accredited high school will do. Period.Again, both "national" and "regional" accreditation is, at the high school level, USDE approved; and at the college level, it's both USDE approved, and also approved by the USDE-sanctioned Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)! However, "national" accreditation, for whatever reason, seems not to be as accepted as "regional" accreditation. While it's arguable at the college level, though, it's positively true at the high school level.And so, then, whatever high school you choose, please make sure that it's at least "regionally" accredited, and not only "nationally" accredited. It can be both -- and that's okay because the "regional" accreditation trumps the "national" one -- but it must be at least "regionally" accredited if it's a high school. Please do not ignore that advice!Ashworth's James Madison High School is both "nationally" and "regionally" accredited; so that's perfect!Ashworth's career school, and its college are only "nationally" accredited; and while I believe that that's also perfect, there are, again, many employers, colleges/universities, and governmental agencies who disagree. So even at the college level, it make be safer to just stick with "regionally" accredited schools.Ashworth's most direct competitor -- Penn Foster College -- is in exactly the same situation: Its career programs and its college are "nationally" accredited; but it's high school is both "nationally" and "regionally" accredited.See the "sources and related links" section, below, to see a link I've placed there to CHEA's "Higher Education Transfer Alliance" (HETA) web page which argues that all accreditation -- both national and regional -- should be equally respected; and which encourages all employers, colleges/universities, and government agencies to equally accept both nationally and regionally accredited academic credentials.Ashworth and Penn Foster, though, are far from the only accredited online high schools in the US. There's nice fellow out there named TOM NIXON who has written the two definitive books on acquiring a high school diploma by other than traditional means; and he has a companion website on which he lists -- available to anyone, for free -- the US's best online high schools!There are many of them from which to choose! Some are expensive, some are inexpensive, and some are even free! That's right: FREE. Some state departments of education, and/or local school districts, have launched online high school programs for students who live in their states or districts so that those who get kicked-out of high school, or who quit, may circle back and still graduate by enrolling in the online program; andsome of those programs are free! Do check with your state department of education, and/or your local city/county school district to see if such a program exists.Whatever online high school in which you enroll, however, must be "regionally" accredited. Do not believe anyone who tells you otherwise! And be careful and and sure, even on Tom Nixon's excellent "Best Online High Schools" website, that any online high school you consider is "regionally" (and not "nationally") accredited. Do not accept any other kind of accreditation!See the "sources and related links," below.
What does the term home college mean for online students?
Home college is the second name of Online education/ E-Learning / Distance learning.
What colleges will accept a high school diploma from PennFord High School?
Answer 1: Penn-Foster High School is "regionally" accredited. Therefore, any and all colleges and universities in the US will happily accept its high school diploma, just exactly the same as if you had obtained the diploma from your local regionally-accredited neighborhood high school."Regional" accreditation, by an agency approved by the US Department of Education (USDE) (which is the kind of accreditation which both Penn-Foster High School, and your local neighborhood high school, have) ensures that alll colleges will view both high school diplomas exactly the same... and will accept either, equally.
What does NA after bank name mean?
I am taking a stab but an educated one when I say the NA after a bank name means "Nationally Accredited". If I were on who wants to be a millionaire that would be my final answer. AND I'D HAVE BEEN WRONG!! LOL! The NA means "National Association"
Is Universal Degrees accepted by federal education board?
I am not sure what you mean by authorities. In the United States we don't police our educational system. Department of Education and educational institutes maintain quality standards by taking part in a peer review process system called accreditation. An accredited educational institute is considered legitimate and recognized to reward degrees. Universal Degree is an affiliate institute of Corllins University which is an accredited online university.
Online stores for vitamins?
Personally, I would check and see if the online store selling these products is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This would help assure that these are legit and safe products. That doesn't mean that others who are not accredited by the BBB are not safe or legit but I recommend not take chances.
