Military Personnel

FYI: Online Accredited Degrees

With all the online computer schools and online computer degree programs literally "popping up" on the Internet lately, it's become even more important to check for online accredited degrees. We encourage you to research the accreditation credentials of online schools and online degree programs. Also make sure the accrediting agency is legitimate and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Accreditation.

Our sister sites, Accredited Online Universities and Accredited Online Degrees are great places to start your search for the right online accredited degree program.

What is Accreditation? Accreditation relies on voluntary reviews by thousands of educators across the U.S. each year and is a major signal about the character and quality of an online degree program.

Accreditation is a means of self-regulation and peer review adopted by the educational community. The accrediting process is intended to strengthen and sustain the quality and integrity of higher education, making it worthy of public confidence. Source: Middle States Commission on Higher Education

What are Regional Accreditation Agencies: Regional accrediting agencies, or associations, are the most widely known institutional accrediting organizations. They accredit the entire institution, and their accrediting process is very thorough, involving reports on all key educational programs as well as such areas as student services, financial condition, and administrative effectiveness. Full accreditation and membership in the association can take up to five years. The following regional accreditation agencies have been recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Accreditation:

• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• Northwest Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Specialized accrediting organizations, which are national in scope, accredit particular programs within a college or university. Newer, online degree programs are frequently accredited by specialized accrediting organizations, whose processes are thorough, but generally take less time than the regional agencies.