If you are planning on enrolling yourself in an undergraduate or postgraduate program, it is imperative to ensure the university is accredited. An accredited university is one where the academic programs offered meet a minimum quality standard. Whether you are searching for an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD program, you must find out if the university is accredited so that later when applying for a higher degree or when looking for a job, your degree is given the importance and acceptance it deserves.
The Process of Accreditation
If an educational institution is accredited you can assume that the quality of academic programs available there meet the requirements of employers and other universities. The US Department of Education authorizes accrediting bodies to set the minimum quality standards. Accrediting organizations then evaluate an academic program according to these standards and grant the university an accredited status if the program meets the requirements. A university or college can be accredited by one or more accrediting organizations. Particular programs in a certain field can be accredited by an accrediting body that specializes in programs of that subject.
Why Accreditation is Important
It is very important to attend an accredited university or college for a number of reasons. There are plenty of universities out there that are better known as ‘diploma mills’. These are non-accredited universities that hand out degrees to anyone willing to pay without ensuring any level of quality.
An accredited university program ensures that the degree you receive will be accepted and recognized by other universities if you wish to apply for another academic program later. Also an accredited university degree means that employers will accept and appreciate the quality of the academic program you attended. Employers will not give a non-accredited university degree the same level of importance they would do an accredited university degree.
You can find out whether a university or college is accredited by checking at the university itself. You need to be wary of fake accrediting bodies and organizations which a university may have set up itself in order to get an accreditation. A degree from such a university would be regarded the same way as one from a non-accredited university.
Online Accredited Universities
Online universities are becoming more and more popular with the prevalence of Internet usage around the world. An online university allows for a more flexible study schedule and allows those who cannot take time off from their careers or family responsibilities to educate themselves easily. An online university can be accredited the same way as a traditional university is. If you choose to do an online degree, then too you must make sure that the university you choose is an accredited one. You can then rest easy that you are not wasting your time or money on a degree which may turn out to be worthless.
An accredited university or college will ensure that the education you receive will be of an accepted quality. Don’t gamble with your future by pursuing a non-accredited university degree. Your accredited university degree will be the key to good further education options as well as to suitable career prospects.