The Importance Of Accreditation In Online Learning
One of the first things you need to consider in online learning is the reputation of the institute. The school also needs to be accredited by the right agencies or else you could waste a few years pursuing a degree or diploma that has no standing. Therefore, it is important to know the facts about accreditation before you choose an online school.
Accreditation ensures that the particular school meets requisite quality standards and is equipped to impart the right type of education. It protects students and enhances the credibility of the school. For the most part, accreditation is granted by an outside agency that reviews a school's programs to determine whether they conform to the criteria set by the agencies. These agencies are recognized bodies that only grant accreditation when a school meets the minimum criteria. Armed with a diploma or degree from an accredited institution, students are guaranteed that their qualifications will be accepted by employers. Similarly, the human resource departments of companies are assured that they recruit employees that have the right training.
While accreditation is essential, the school must be accredited by the right agency or else it would be similar to having no accreditation at all. The accrediting agency must be recognized by the USDE or United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). A list of accrediting agencies is available with these organizations. Therefore, it is important to select a school that has the necessary accreditation from one of the six regional accreditation agencies recognized by the CHEA and USDE. They are the same agencies that regulate accreditation of traditional schools as well.
Online schools accredited by the Distance Education Training Council (DETC) are also recognized by the USDE and CHEA. However, you will need to check since many DETC accredited programs are not accepted widely as a regional accreditation. Some schools do not accept transfer credits from DETC accredited schools. In addition, it is important to stay away from diploma mills. These schools do not have the requisite accreditation from the USDE and CHEA and require little or no effort to obtain an online diploma. Some acquire accreditation from unrecognized agencies which once again is as good as no accreditation at all. Acquiring a diploma or degree from this type of a school could land you in trouble with the potential danger of losing your job.
Choosing an unaccredited school can hamper your career prospects and potential employees will not consider your resume seriously. An added disadvantage is that an accredited school will not accept your credit hours. Therefore, if you seek a degree to enhance your career and further your education, it is essential to choose an accredited online learning institution. With hundreds of diploma mills doing brisk business it is prudent to check the accreditation status of a school on the United States Department of Education website. The website features a comprehensive database of legitimately accredited online learning institutions. When it is a question of your hard earned money and education, you need to make sure you are in the right hands.