Why You Need to Check the Accreditation of Your Online Learning Institution

Online learning and training are valuable educational tools for both personal and professional growth. When you take advantage of the convenience it offers for both academic and professional advancement, you want to be absolutely sure the institution you choose has the accreditation that will be accepted by other schools and employers when it comes time for them to consider your credentials.

Accreditation is the process by which institutions of higher learning, online and bricks-and-mortar, are evaluated against established standards to ensure a high level of educational quality. Accreditation is a validation process that is usually accomplished via peer-review in which faculty members from other accredited institutions help conduct reviews of either new non-accredited institutions or accredited institutions seeking renewal. The accreditation standards used in these evaluations can vary, but in general, they assess the institution’s mission, goals and objectives, resources, student admission requirements, student support services and the quality of the faculty and educational offerings.

The governments of other countries usually grant accreditation to their academic institutions, but in the U.S. accreditation is granted by private, non-governmental agencies. Right now, there are regional as well as national accreditation agencies responsible for the process. Those agencies are vetted by the government as “reliable authorities”, but that’s where the government’s involvement ends. That is a contributing factor to why there is so much distrust of online education at the present time.

Online students should care about accreditation because it will give you valuable insight into quality of the education you will receive. If you take courses or pursue a degree from a non-accredited institution, you might find that the degree is not recognized by some employers or that your course credits will not be accepted if you transfer to another institution.
Understanding why accreditation is important can also help you avoid diploma mills that are nothing more than dubious fronts issuing fake diplomas.

Two resources that are invaluable to all students, but especially to those who are looking to further their education via online learning are the U.S. Department of Education’s Web site, where you will be able to find a complete listing of all the regional and national accrediting agencies. Alternatively, it is worth it to check your institution at the Web site of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CHEA is a non-governmental agency that recognizes U.S. accrediting agencies and assists them with coordinating policy and research.

As online learning gains popularity, accreditation becomes even more important. Right now, online and distance learning institutions are subjected to the same accreditation process as bricks-and-mortar institutions. All agencies, both regional and national, hold distance learning institutions to the same high standards as traditional colleges and universities. Moreover, there is extra attention paid to the quality of support given to students by online institutions, given the fact that they have to make up for the unique circumstances associated with distance learning. Instruction has to be just as effective as it is when offered in a traditional classroom.

Accreditation is not something any online student should ignore, especially when a degree is at stake. If you are simply looking for piecemeal vocational training, accreditation is not as crucial. But, when it comes to earning an undergraduate or graduate degree, the issuing institution’s accreditation is mandatory.