Matters for Your Education
When you’re choosing a college, you might have a few high-priority items on your checklist: location, programs, cost. But what about accreditation?
It might seem like a small detail, but accreditation can make a huge difference in the quality of education you receive. Accreditation means a college has met strict standards for quality and accountability. Without accreditation, there’s no independent assurance that a school offers a valid education that holds up to industry expectations.
If you’re comparing accredited versus non-accredited schools, understanding the differences can help you make the best choice for your education.
What Is Accreditation?
Accreditation is an official recognition that a school or program meets educational standards for quality. Independent accrediting agencies make this determination by considering different factors, like the curriculum, faculty qualifications, facilities, and student success rates.
There are two main types of accreditation:
- Institutional accreditation: This means the entire school meets standards for delivering consistent, quality education.
- Programmatic accreditation: This applies to a specific program within a school, such as respiratory therapy or surgical technology.
How Do Colleges Get Accredited?
In the United States, there’s no federal agency responsible for accrediting schools. Instead, the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) officially recognize accrediting agencies that set the standards for educational quality.
There’s no law requiring colleges to be accredited. Schools request this review voluntarily. Once they make this request, here’s how the process works:
- The school or program does a self-evaluation to see if it meets the accrediting agency’s criteria.
- A team from the accrediting agency visits the school or program for an official assessment.
- The agency makes a decision and grants accreditation to schools and programs that meet the criteria.
- The agency reevaluates the school or program periodically to decide whether to extend or revoke accreditation.
What Is a Non-Accredited School?
A non-accredited school is an institution that either hasn’t gone through the review process or hasn’t met an accrediting agency’s standards. While these schools may offer similar programs and classes as accredited institutions, they don’t have the same independent verification of quality.
Biggest Differences Between Accredited vs. Non-Accredited Colleges
The choice between going to an accredited versus a non-accredited school may impact your education, financial aid, and even your future career opportunities. It can feel overwhelming, but taking the time to weigh your options can help you make the right decision. Consider these factors as you make your choice:
Quality of Education
Accreditation involves a thorough review of a school’s curriculum, faculty, and resources. When you choose an accredited school, you can feel confident that the instructors who teach you and the material you learn have met academic standards. A non-accredited school may still offer a solid education, but it's not reviewed by a set of standards as an accredited institution.
Financial Aid
Only accredited colleges and universities are eligible for federal financial aid, including grants and loans. If you go to an accredited school, you can apply for this assistance to help offset your tuition. You won’t qualify for federal financial aid if you go to a non-accredited school, and you may miss out on some state funding as well.
Transfer Options
If you decide to transfer schools or continue your education down the road, your credits from an accredited institution will be likely to transfer to another school. Unfortunately, credits from a non-accredited school often don’t transfer to other institutions. You may need to repeat classes or start from the beginning.
Future Employment
The school you attend may affect your future career opportunities. If you want to work in a field that requires licensure or certification, like many healthcare careers, you need the right training.
That’s why many licensing and certification boards require applicants to graduate from an accredited school or program. In California, for instance, you must graduate from an accredited occupational therapy assistant program to sit for the certification exam.
Additionally, some employers don’t recognize degrees or diplomas from non-accredited colleges. Graduating from an accredited school tells an employer that you’ve completed coursework that meets educational and professional standards.
How to Check If a School Is Accredited
As you research colleges, here are the steps you can take to see if a school is accredited:
- Use official resources. Both the Department of Education and CHEA have databases you can use to search for a school or program and check its accreditation status.
- Check programmatic approval. In addition to accreditation, some programs have separate recognition through boards or agencies, often known as approvals. Check to see if the program you’re interested in has programmatic accreditation or approval.
- Ask questions. If you’re in doubt about a school or program’s accreditation status, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask about it. Credible schools will be more than happy to share this information with you.
Get a Quality Education at an Accredited Healthcare College
Accreditation should be at the top of your checklist when you’re deciding between accredited versus non-accredited schools. Attending an accredited school matters, both for your education and your future career path.
American Career College is proud to have institutional accreditation through the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). ACC has also earned over a dozen major accreditations and approvals for our healthcare programs, all to make sure you get the education you deserve.
To learn more about ACC, reach out for information!
