The Importance of Accreditation

Accreditation: the certification or approval by an official review board of an educational institution that maintains the appropriate standards and meets the specific requirements set forth by that board.

Accreditation is an important aspect to consider when choosing a college or degree program. In order for a college to become accredited, it must be reviewed and evaluated by a qualified third-party and must meet or surpass the standards set by that committee. Since the U.S. has no central authority governing educational institutions, it falls on the individual state, and sometimes even the individual community to ensure that a quality education is being provided. For this reason, education accreditation has become a standard in the U.S. as a means of evaluating institutions. Typically, all programs strive to be accredited, so if you are thinking about a school or training program that has not yet achieved that status, you may want to reconsider.

Most employers are aware of the accreditation status of the schools and programs in their area and will not hesitate to verify that a school is accredited when reviewing the resumes of potential employees. If an employer finds that the school you attended is not accredited, he/she will likely assume that the program is sub-par and, by extension, so are you. Ensuring that the program or school you are attending is accredited can have a long-reaching impact on your education, career, and life. Be sure to factor the accreditation status of the institution you are interested in into your decision before making it final. If you are choosing a school from this site, however, you can rest easy because almost all the institutions and programs we have listed ARE accredited.

Schools to consider: