Answer 1: In Pennsylvania. Here's the full address, from its website:

Penn Foster Career School

925 Oak Street

Scranton, PA 18515 USA

1-800-275-4410 (phone)

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia

No it is not. Liberty University has the preferred regional accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is a College Board member. Therefore, the course work and degree completed through this institution will be recognized by all other colleges and universities as well as employers.

For the source and more detailed information concerning your request, click on the related links section (College Board) indicated directly below this answer section.

You can obtain this information by going to the collegeboard website and using the sites College MatchMaker search engine, or you can also click on the related links section (College Board) indicated below this answer box, which will take you directly to the site. You can research colleges and universities by name, or by programs of study, or by geographical location, size, or combinations of part or all of them etc. The site will provide you with a list of institutions based on your request. It will give you the schools background, accreditation, degree offerings, programs of study, entrance requirements, tuition and fees, financial assistance, room and board, athletic programs etc. and a link to each institutions official web page. Make sure the college or university has a regional accreditation (most important). Practice navigating this site. It will be well worth the time and effort.

When you think of an MBA degree program, you need to take several factors into consideration before making a decision about which college to choose. An MBA involves a great deal of dedication and commitment but the pay offs after graduation more than make up for all the effort. That said, it might not be the wisest idea to narrow down your field of options only on the basis of expense. No doubt an MBA program is expensive but the cheapest university may end up not being recognized in the job market and all your time would have been wasted. You can check out the online MBA degree offered by Independence University. With an online degree you can continue to work and earn while you study. Online degrees are also cheaper than traditional programs. The college also has a very active financial aid office that will guide you through the process of applying for aid in case you need the help.

If you referring to the institutions stability, it looks like it's in good shape. It has the preferred regional accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Therefore the coursework and degree you complete there will be recognized by all other colleges and universities as well as employers. In addition the following.

In March 2008, Capella Education Co., longtime occupant the 225 South Sixth skyscraper in downtown Minneapolis, signed a new lease that expands its offices and will rename the building Capella Tower in March 2009. The building will house all of the company's 1,150 downtown Minneapolis administrative staff. (Wikipedia)

For the source and more detailed information concerning your request, click on the related links section (Answers.com) indicated below this answer box.

If you referring to the institutions stability, it looks like it's in good shape. It has the preferred regional accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Therefore the coursework and degree you complete there will be recognized by all other colleges and universities as well as employers. In addition the following.

In March 2008, Capella Education Co., longtime occupant the 225 South Sixth skyscraper in downtown Minneapolis, signed a new lease that expands its offices and will rename the building Capella Tower in March 2009. The building will house all of the company's 1,150 downtown Minneapolis administrative staff. (Wikipedia)

For the source and more detailed information concerning your request, click on the related links section (Answers.com) indicated below this answer box.

If you referring to the institutions stability, it looks like it's in good shape. It has the preferred regional accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Therefore the coursework and degree you complete there will be recognized by all other colleges and universities as well as employers. In addition the following.

In March 2008, Capella Education Co., longtime occupant the 225 South Sixth skyscraper in downtown Minneapolis, signed a new lease that expands its offices and will rename the building Capella Tower in March 2009. The building will house all of the company's 1,150 downtown Minneapolis administrative staff. (Wikipedia)

For the source and more detailed information concerning your request, click on the related links section (Answers.com) indicated below this answer box.

If you referring to the institutions stability, it looks like it's in good shape. It has the preferred regional accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Therefore the coursework and degree you complete there will be recognized by all other colleges and universities as well as employers. In addition the following.

In March 2008, Capella Education Co., longtime occupant the 225 South Sixth skyscraper in downtown Minneapolis, signed a new lease that expands its offices and will rename the building Capella Tower in March 2009. The building will house all of the company's 1,150 downtown Minneapolis administrative staff. (Wikipedia)

For the source and more detailed information concerning your request, click on the related links section (Answers.com) indicated below this answer box.

If you referring to the institutions stability, it looks like it's in good shape. It has the preferred regional accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Therefore the coursework and degree you complete there will be recognized by all other colleges and universities as well as employers. In addition the following.

In March 2008, Capella Education Co., longtime occupant the 225 South Sixth skyscraper in downtown Minneapolis, signed a new lease that expands its offices and will rename the building Capella Tower in March 2009. The building will house all of the company's 1,150 downtown Minneapolis administrative staff. (Wikipedia)

For the source and more detailed information concerning your request, click on the related links section (Answers.com) indicated below this answer box.

If you referring to the institutions stability, it looks like it's in good shape. It has the preferred regional accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Therefore the coursework and degree you complete there will be recognized by all other colleges and universities as well as employers. In addition the following.

In March 2008, Capella Education Co., longtime occupant the 225 South Sixth skyscraper in downtown Minneapolis, signed a new lease that expands its offices and will rename the building Capella Tower in March 2009. The building will house all of the company's 1,150 downtown Minneapolis administrative staff. (Wikipedia)

For the source and more detailed information concerning your request, click on the related links section (Answers.com) indicated below this answer box.

Answer 1: According to their web site (see the link below), they have earned accreditation from the Commission on Secondary Schools and the Distance Education and Training Council.

Answer 2: First, regarding the first answerer's quoting what's on Penn Foster's website, never believe what any school claims on its website regarding accreditation. Diploma/degree mills lie on their websites, all the time, about their alleged accreditation. Always take the time to look-up schools on the website of the "regional" accreditor which covers the state in which the school is physically located, and verify that said school is "regionally" accredited.

The rest of the first answer is accurate, as far as it goes; but it doesn't really directly address the question... at least not in an obvious way; nor does it provide a sufficiently refined answer.

Let me see, then, if I can clarify...

Illinois does not accredit. Most states, in fact, do not accredit. All states do, usually, is approve (or disapprove) schools to be allowed (or not) to operate inside their states. That's it.

At the high school (secondary school) level, only agencies approved by the US Department of Education (USDE) may accredit high schools... or elementary schools, too, as long as we're at it.

At the college (post-secondary) level, only agencies approved by both USDE, and also the USDE-sanctioned Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), may accredit schools.

At the high school level, only schools which are accredited by one of the US's six big USDE-approved "regional" accreditors are of any value. High school diplomas awarded by unaccredited high schools, or even USDE-approved "national" (as opposed to "regional") accreditors have no value. Avoid them.

Only ever get a high school diploma from a "regionally" accredited high school. It matters not if the high school is of the online or in-classroom type. All that matters is the the high school is at least "regionally" accredited.

Regionally-accredited post-secondary schools -- be they in Illinois, or any other state -- will typically not accept a high school diploma which isn't from a "regionally" accredited high school. Certainly most employers will not; and most government agencies (including the military) will not accept high school diplomas which are not from "regionally" (as opposed to "nationally") accredited high schools for employment or any other purpose.

Penn Foster High School is "regionally" accredited. As it turns out, it's also "nationally" accredited, but that doesn't really matter as long as it's also "regionally" accredited. And Penn Foster High School is, indeed, "regionally" accredited.

And so, then, any "regionally" accredited college or university -- in Illinois or any other state -- will absolutely and unquestionably accept it.

What Illinois either wants or thinks matters not. Illinois's approval, or not, of at least Penn Foster High School plays no role in any of this because Penn Foster is in Pennsylvania; and it's approved there.

All colleges/universities care about is whether the high school diploma of any of its applicants is "regionally" accredited. It matters not whether it was earned online or in-classroom. All the college/university wants to see when it looks-up Penn Foster High School is that it's "regionally" accredited...

...and it is. So, then, the bottom line answer to the question is that, yes, Penn Foster High School is not only accredited, but it's "regionally" accredited (which, for high schools, is the only way to go); and what Illinois wants plays no role in it.

Woodfield High School is a diploma mill. The accrediting agency it claims by which to be accredited is one that is not recognized by the United States Department of Education. If you "earn" a high school diploma from this school it is unlikely that it will be recognized for admission to a college.

It claims accreditation, but the agency is questionable. See the Related Question below.
See the Related Question below for more information about its accreditation.
I was surprised to see that some high school is offering GED diploma, and just as I thought they are not offering GED diploma. Woodfield high school offers what they call GED alternative, but it is actually a high school diploma. In my opinion, a high school diploma is much better than a GED.

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For more information regarding the accreditation, see the Related Question below.

The school does not have a regional/national accreditation and is not recognized by the College Board. For colleges and universities within the United States and its territories, the critical issue is the schools accreditation. When choosing a college or university make sure the institution has a regional/national accreditation. With a regional/national accreditation, you can be assured the coursework and degree you complete will be recognized by most colleges and universities as well as employers. Below are listed the six regional accrediting agencies and their geographical areas of responsibility. For schools and colleges which offer distance education, make sure they are nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). Make sure the school is accredited by one of them. Regional Accreditation Agencies

· Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools - Educational institutions in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, as well as schools for American children in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

· New England Association of Schools and Colleges - Educational institutions in the six New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont).

· North Central Association of Colleges and Schools - Educational institutions in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, New Mexico, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

· Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities - Postsecondary institutions (colleges and universities) in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

· Western Association of Schools and Colleges - Educational institutions in California, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Micronesia, Palau, and Northern Marianas Islands.

· Southern Association of Colleges and Schools - Educational institutions in Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and Texas.

National Accreditation Agency:

Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)

I can tell you that no regionally accredited college or university will accept coursework from an unaccredited institution.

From what I could tell mostly case by case. Here are a few examples:

University of Hawaii at Manoa: "Degrees from unaccredited institutions will be evaluated on a case by case basis."

Phoenix Seminary: "Graduates of Unaccredited institutions, when accepted, are placed on academic probation for their first year of study at Phoenix Seminary........etc."

Ohio State University: "This classification is assigned for one or more of the following reasons. The applicant has: "1-A baccalaureate or professional degree from an unaccredited college or university."

Beacon University: "Graduates from unaccredited institutions may be accepted conditionally."

University of Idaho: "GRE general appitude scores if bachelor's degree is from an unaccredited institution."

Seattle Pacific University: "SPU will therefore, review credentials from unaccredited institutions at the students request."

Liberty University : "Applicants who hold a bachelor's degree from an unaccredited institution may be admitted to some master's degree programs on Academic Probation Status."

Arkansas State University : "Or whose baccalaureate degree is from an unaccredited institution, may be granted Conditional Admission Status after.....etc."

Florida State University: Unaccredited Undergraduate Degree: "If you have your undergraduate degree from an unaccredited institution, but your GRE scores meet the "Minimum" requirement, we can consider your application."

American Indian University: "Transfer of credit from non-accredited colleges will be awarded under the following conditions....etc."

University of Oregon: "A student from an unaccredited institution, or one that offers the equivalent of bachelor's degree instruction but not the degree itself, may be consdiered for admission under special procedures."

Auburn University: "Students transferring from an unaccredited institution may be granted provisional credit. When such credit is allowed, the final amount of credit will be determined upon completion by the student of one year of work at Auburn University....etc."

Eastern Oregon University: "Course work taken at a non-accredited institution will be evaluated but not applied until the completion pf 35 EOU credits."

Troy State University, Dothan AL.: "Students transferring from unaccredited institutions who have earned an overall grade point average of 2.0 (4.0 scale) or better may be granted provisional admission...etc." **Troy also said it will not accept DETC accredited degrees but would work with me on an unaccredited degree. (strange that)

Some of the schools don't say no--but say send the transcripts and and xxxx number of dollars and we will let you know. So who really knows--9% -- 15%-- 20%-- no way to know. Union Institute and University said they would have to see the details first.

I transferred credits from a state approved school to two DETC accredited schools. They asked no questions and I didn't argue with them. My wild guess?? maybe as many as 20% of accredited schools would consider the transfer--but that's just a guess. Many seem to be willing to listen--especially if you are serious--willing to pay and send them some signed papers. The final answer I don't know--but if you look long enough you can find one who will. And one is all you need. Liberty University

Liberty University

Liberty offers online degrees in the following subject areas: a huge selection of programs in Religious Studies (Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's), a Master's Degree in Human Services, Master of Science in Nursing, Business (Associate's, Bachelor's, and MBA), Education and Teaching (Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate), Liberal Arts (Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's), and Counseling (Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's).

Liberty has an outstanding reputation for the quality of its education and scholarship, though the strong Christian affiliation may be objectionable to some.

The school is regionally accredited, the most widely recognized accreditation.

Click Here

to receive FREE information on this school.

Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University

ARSU offers online degrees in the following: MSE in Curriculum and Instruction, MSE in Educational Theory and Practice, MSE in Special Ed/Instruction Specialist 4-12, and MSE in Special Ed/Instruction Specialist P-4.

The school is regionally accredited, the most widely accepted form of accreditation.

Click Here

to receive FREE information on this school.

Union Institute University

Union Institute

The Union Institute has a long history for quality and innovation in distance education, and its programs and degrees are highly respected.

UIU offers online Bachelor's Degrees in Art, Criminal Justice, Cultural Studies, Environmental Studies, Holistic Studies, Liberal Studies - Education, Literature & Writing, Psychology, Thematic Studies, and Women's/Gender Studies; and Master of Arts in Health & Wellness, History & Culture, Leadership, Public Policy, Social, Literature & Writing, Psychology, and Creativity.

The school is regionally accredited, the most widely recognized accreditation.

Click Here

to receive FREE information on this school.

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 accreditors

2) Regional accreditors

The 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.