Accreditation is essential to consider when finding the right college or program. But what is accreditation, and why should you care? This guide examines accreditation and lists the programs and schools offering accredited master’s degree programs while looking at different accrediting bodies and explaining why choosing an accredited school or program is essential.
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To put it succinctly, accreditation is a process that evaluates colleges and programs to ensure they meet specific quality standards. It is a way to ensure that students are getting the best education possible. When you attend an accredited school or program, you can be sure that the institution has been thoroughly evaluated and meets established quality standards recognized by other institutions and employers nationwide.
Why Is Accreditation Important?
There are several reasons why accreditation is crucial, chief among them being:
To know about accreditation in detail, read the Accreditation Guide.
There are two types of accreditation: institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditation is granted to colleges and universities. In contrast, programmatic accreditation is awarded to specific programs within a college or university.
Institutional accreditation may be national or regional, with the latter being most popular and common for colleges offering master’s degree programs. The six regional accrediting bodies in the United States are:
The second type of accreditation is national, found chiefly at vocational institutions. Such colleges may be less expensive and have fewer entrance requirements than regionally approved schools. Here are six main national accrediting bodies in the United States:
Programmatic accreditation applies to a specific master’s program, not the college offering it. This type of accreditation is subject or industry-specific. For example, business programs such as a Master’s in Business Administration may be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) or the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Similarly, psychology programs may be accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), and so on.
Accreditation can be applied to the educational institution as a whole or a specific degree program. Either way, choosing an accredited college or program is vital to ensure that one’s awarded degree is recognized. Here are some of the top accredited online master’s programs across various disciplines:
Several significant elements play a role in an institution being accredited. The criteria used by accrediting agencies to decide whether an institution deserves accreditation or reaffirmation of accreditation are known as the Criteria for Accreditation. Instead of defining minimal requirements, the Criteria have been created to look for evidence of ongoing development by member institutions. Some of the standard Criteria for Accreditation include:
Extracted from a list of the top universities in the U.S. offering accredited online masters programs are the following:
Accreditation is an essential factor to consider when choosing a college or program. It is a sign that the school or program meets specific standards of quality and can make it easier to transfer credits and qualify for financial aid. Therefore, choosing a school or program accredited by a reputable organization is critical.
Here are some additional resources prospective master students can tap into to location accredited online master programs in a field and location of their choice:
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