- What Is Accreditation?
- What Is Regional (Institutional) Accreditation?
- What Is National Accreditation?
- Regional vs. National Accreditation: Key Differences
- Regional vs. National Accreditation: Key Similarities
- Why Accreditation Type Matters for Online Master's Students
- What Is Programmatic Accreditation?
- How to Verify a School's Accreditation Status
- Choosing an Accredited Online Master's Program
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Edited By Jeevan D'Souza
- Expert Reviewed By Soumen Chatterjee
What Is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a quality assurance process in which an independent organization evaluates a college or university against established academic standards. In the United States, accreditation serves as the primary mechanism for verifying that an institution provides education that meets a recognized threshold of quality. It is voluntary—schools choose to pursue accreditation—but the consequences of attending an unaccredited institution are significant enough that accreditation has become a practical necessity for students.
Two bodies oversee the accreditation system in the United States. The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) maintains a list of recognized accrediting agencies and ensures that these agencies apply rigorous, consistent standards. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is a nonprofit that also recognizes accrediting organizations and advocates for academic quality. An accrediting agency may be recognized by one or both of these bodies, and that recognition is what separates legitimate accreditation from the meaningless stamps of approval offered by diploma mills.
For online master’s students, accreditation determines whether your degree will be accepted by employers, whether credits can transfer to another institution, whether you qualify for federal financial aid, and whether your graduate degree will be recognized if you pursue doctoral studies. None of these outcomes is guaranteed without proper accreditation.
For a comprehensive overview of how accreditation works across the higher education landscape, see our full accreditation guide. This page focuses specifically on the distinction between regional (institutional) and national accreditation—a distinction that has direct consequences for online master’s students.
What Is Regional (Institutional) Accreditation?
Regional accreditation has historically been the gold standard for academic institutions in the United States. This form of accreditation covers the institution as a whole—evaluating governance, financial stability, faculty qualifications, student services, and academic rigor across all programs.
The term “regional” comes from the fact that the United States was divided into geographic regions, each served by a different accrediting body. For over a century, these regional accreditors evaluated colleges and universities within their territories. Most traditional nonprofit universities, state university systems, and well-known private institutions hold regional accreditation.
In 2020, the USDE and CHEA began phasing out the term “regional accreditation” in favor of “institutional accreditation.” The change reflected the reality that many of these accreditors now evaluate schools well beyond their original geographic boundaries, particularly as online education has erased the relevance of regional distinctions. Despite the official terminology shift, the term “regional accreditation” remains widely used by students, employers, and institutions themselves. Both terms refer to the same type of accreditation, and this guide uses them interchangeably.
Regional (institutional) accreditation is considered the gold standard because these accrediting agencies apply the most rigorous academic standards, and credits from regionally accredited schools are almost universally accepted for transfer. When employers, licensing boards, and doctoral programs require an accredited degree, they typically mean regional/institutional accreditation specifically.
Schools that hold institutional accreditation include major research universities like Arizona State University and Penn State World Campus , large online-focused institutions like Southern New Hampshire University and Western Governors University , and private nonprofit universities. Notably, National University —despite having “national” in its name—holds institutional (regional) accreditation through WASC, not national accreditation. This is a common source of confusion.
The Seven Institutional Accrediting Agencies
Seven accrediting agencies — formerly known as the regional accreditors — evaluate and accredit degree-granting institutions across the United States. Each originally covered a specific geographic region, though their scope has expanded significantly:
Institutional Accrediting Agencies
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC) — North Central region (19 states including Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Arizona, Colorado)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) — Mid-Atlantic region (New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, D.C.)
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) — New England region (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) — Pacific Northwest (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) — Southern states (11 states including Texas, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina)
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) — Western states (California, Hawaii, and Pacific territories)
- Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) — Primarily two-year institutions in the Western region
When checking a school’s accreditation, identifying which of these seven agencies accredits the institution confirms that it holds institutional (regional) accreditation.
What Is National Accreditation?
National accreditation is a separate category of institutional accreditation administered by agencies that are not tied to a geographic region. Instead, national accreditors typically evaluate schools based on institutional type or mission — career-focused schools, vocational and technical institutions, faith-based colleges, and some distance education providers.
The word “national” in this context is misleading. It does not mean that national accreditation is superior to or broader than regional accreditation. In fact, the opposite is generally true in terms of academic recognition and credit transferability. National accreditation applies a different set of standards—often more focused on career outcomes and vocational competency than on traditional academic research and liberal arts benchmarks.
Nationally accredited schools are recognized by the USDE, which means they are legitimate accredited institutions. Students at nationally accredited schools are typically eligible for federal financial aid. However, nationally accredited programs face significant limitations when it comes to credit transfer, employer recognition, and graduate school admission — limitations that matter considerably for anyone pursuing a master’s degree.
Schools that commonly hold national accreditation include for-profit career colleges, trade and technical schools, some religious institutions, and certain distance learning providers. Some well-known institutions, including Liberty University and Grand Canyon University , hold institutional (regional) accreditation despite being faith-based, which distinguishes them from faith-based schools that hold only national accreditation.
Common National Accrediting Agencies
Several national accrediting agencies are recognized by the USDE and/or CHEA. Understanding which agencies fall into this category helps students distinguish between institutional (regional) and national accreditation when evaluating a school:
- Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) — Accredits institutions that offer programs primarily through distance education. DEAC is recognized by both USDE and CHEA and is the most established national accreditor for online learning.
- Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) — Focuses on career-oriented and technical schools offering certificates, diplomas, and degrees.
- Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) — Accredits institutions focused on biblical and theological education.
- Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) — Accredits Christian colleges and universities.
A notable historical case is the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) , which lost its USDE recognition in 2016 amid widespread quality concerns at schools it had accredited. ACICS briefly regained recognition before losing it again, serving as a cautionary example of why students should verify not only that a school is accredited but also that its accreditor is currently recognized.
The key distinction is not that national accreditors are illegitimate — most are recognized by the USDE — but that the academic community, employers, and other institutions treat nationally accredited degrees differently than regionally accredited ones in practice.
Regional vs. National Accreditation: Key Differences
The practical differences between regional and national accreditation are substantial, and they directly affect online master’s students in ways that range from credit transfer to long-term career outcomes. The comparison below covers the most decision-relevant factors.
| Factor | Regional (Institutional) Accreditation | National Accreditation |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Transferability | Credits are widely accepted by other regionally accredited institutions | Credits are rarely accepted by regionally accredited institutions; transfer is largely limited to other nationally accredited schools |
| Employer Recognition | Broadly recognized by employers, government agencies, and licensing boards | Recognized by some employers, but many HR systems and hiring filters require degrees from regionally accredited institutions |
| Financial Aid Eligibility | Eligible for federal financial aid (Pell Grants, federal student loans, GI Bill) | Also eligible for federal financial aid in most cases, but institutional scholarships may be more limited |
| Graduate School Acceptance | Accepted by virtually all graduate and doctoral programs | Many graduate programs — especially at regionally accredited universities — do not accept nationally accredited bachelor’s or master’s degrees as qualifying credentials |
| Typical School Types | Public universities, private nonprofit universities, major research institutions, established online universities | Career-focused schools, vocational institutions, some faith-based colleges, some distance learning providers |
| Academic Rigor Perception | Considered the gold standard for academic quality | Perceived as less rigorous by the broader academic community, though quality varies by institution |
| Tuition Range Patterns | Wide range — from affordable public universities to expensive private institutions | Often lower sticker price, but total cost of ownership may be higher when factoring in limited credit transfer and credential recognition |
The most consequential difference for online master’s students is credit transferability . Regionally accredited schools generally accept transfer credits from other regionally accredited institutions, but most will not accept credits from nationally accredited schools. This creates a one-way door: students who begin coursework at a nationally accredited school may find they cannot transfer those credits if they later decide to complete their degree at a regionally accredited university.
Employer recognition is the second critical gap. While no law prevents employers from hiring graduates of nationally accredited schools, many large employers, federal agencies, and state licensing boards specifically require degrees from regionally accredited institutions. For master’s-level careers in fields like education, healthcare, social work, and engineering, this distinction can determine whether a degree meets licensure requirements.
The financial aid equivalence between the two types can also be misleading. Both types of accreditation can make students eligible for federal aid, but institutional merit scholarships, employer tuition reimbursement programs, and state-based aid programs often restrict eligibility to regionally accredited schools.
Regional vs. National Accreditation: Key Similarities
Despite the significant practical differences, regional and national accreditation share an important common foundation. Understanding these similarities prevents the misconception that national accreditation is inherently fraudulent or meaningless — it is not.
Both are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The USDE recognizes both regional (institutional) and national accrediting agencies as legitimate gatekeepers of educational quality. Recognition means the accrediting agency has demonstrated that it applies consistent standards and conducts meaningful institutional reviews.
Both can qualify schools for federal financial aid. Students at schools accredited by either type of recognized accreditor are generally eligible for federal student loans, Pell Grants, and GI Bill benefits. This is one of the primary reasons students sometimes conflate the two types — from a financial aid perspective, the eligibility is often comparable.
Both require periodic institutional review. Accreditation is not a one-time stamp. Both regional and national accreditors require institutions to undergo regular reaffirmation reviews, typically on cycles of five to ten years. Schools must demonstrate ongoing compliance with standards related to governance, financial health, faculty qualifications, student outcomes, and institutional mission.
Both enforce accountability mechanisms. If an institution falls below standards, both types of accreditors can issue sanctions, place schools on probation, require corrective action plans, or ultimately revoke accreditation. Both systems include processes for students to file complaints about institutional quality.
Both are voluntary. No U.S. law requires a college or university to be accredited. Both regional and national accreditation are pursued voluntarily by institutions that want the benefits of recognized status—particularly eligibility for federal financial aid programs.
The shared foundation matters because it means nationally accredited schools are not scams by definition. The distinction is about the scope of recognition, transferability, and how other institutions and employers treat the credentials—not about whether the accreditation itself is legitimate.
Why Accreditation Type Matters for Online Master’s Students
The regional vs. national distinction is not abstract—it creates real decision points for anyone pursuing an online master’s degree. The following scenarios illustrate where accreditation type has the most impact.
Credit Transfer Between Programs. Online master’s students frequently transfer between programs — life circumstances change, career goals shift, or a student realizes a different program is a better fit. If you complete coursework at a nationally accredited institution, most regionally accredited universities will not accept those credits. You may need to repeat coursework entirely. This is one of the most expensive consequences of choosing the wrong accreditation type. Conversely, students at regionally accredited schools like the University of Maryland Global Campus or Western Governors University typically find their credits transfer smoothly to other regionally accredited institutions.
Employer Hiring and Credential Verification. Many employers — particularly federal agencies, large corporations, and healthcare systems — use automated credential verification systems that filter for degrees from regionally accredited institutions. A nationally accredited master’s degree may not pass these filters, regardless of the quality of the education you received. In fields where a master’s degree is a hiring requirement (education administration, clinical mental health, and public health), this filter can effectively disqualify candidates.
Professional Licensure and Certification. For online master’s students in fields like education, social work, counseling, nursing, and engineering, state licensing boards often require degrees from regionally accredited institutions—and sometimes require specific programmatic accreditation on top of that. A nationally accredited degree may not meet licensure requirements, meaning the degree cannot be used for its intended career purpose.
Doctoral Program Admission. Students who may eventually pursue a doctoral degree should pay particular attention. Most doctoral programs at regionally accredited universities require applicants to hold master’s degrees from regionally accredited institutions. A nationally accredited master’s degree may not qualify you for doctoral admission, effectively closing that pathway.
Employer Tuition Reimbursement. Many employer tuition assistance programs specify that reimbursement is available only for courses or degrees from regionally accredited institutions. Students who choose nationally accredited programs may not qualify for employer funding.
Institutionally (regionally) accredited online programs at schools like Arizona State University and Penn State World Campus carry the same accreditation weight as their on-campus counterparts, which means online delivery does not diminish the credential, as long as the accreditation type is right.
What Is Programmatic Accreditation?
Beyond institutional accreditation (whether regional or national), a third type of accreditation applies to specific programs or departments within a university: programmatic accreditation , also called specialized accreditation.
Programmatic accreditation evaluates whether a particular academic program meets the standards set by the relevant professional or disciplinary organization. While institutional accreditation covers the university as a whole, programmatic accreditation zooms in on individual programs — an MBA program, a social work program, a nursing program, or an engineering program.
Programmatic accreditation does not replace institutional accreditation. Instead, it layers on top of it. A school can be regionally accredited without any of its individual programs holding programmatic accreditation. Conversely, a professional accrediting body would rarely accredit a program at an institutionally unaccredited school.
For online master’s students, programmatic accreditation matters most in fields where professional practice is regulated. In many cases, holding a degree from a programmatically accredited program is a prerequisite for licensure, certification, or professional employment.
For example, a school like Northeastern University holds institutional accreditation through NECHE and also has AACSB accreditation for its business programs — this dual layer of accreditation signals that both the institution and the specific program meet rigorous quality standards. Students evaluating online MBA programs should look for this kind of layered accreditation.
Major Programmatic Accreditors by Field
The following programmatic accreditors are most relevant to online master’s students, organized by discipline:
- Business (MBA, MS in Management, Accounting): AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), ACBSP (Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs), IACBE (International Accreditation Council for Business Education). AACSB is considered the most selective, accrediting fewer than 6% of business schools worldwide.
- Education (M.Ed., MAT, Ed.S.): CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation), which merged the former NCATE and TEAC. State departments of education often require CAEP accreditation for teacher licensure pathways.
- Social Work (MSW): CSWE (Council on Social Work Education). CSWE accreditation is required in every U.S. state for clinical social work licensure.
- Engineering (MS Engineering, MS Computer Science): ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology). ABET accreditation is often required or strongly preferred for professional engineering licensure.
- Nursing (MSN, DNP): CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) and ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing). State boards of nursing typically require graduation from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited program.
- Public Health (MPH): CEPH (Council on Education for Public Health). CEPH accreditation is the standard for master’s in public health programs.
- Counseling and Psychology (MS Counseling, MA Psychology): CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs). Many states require CACREP accreditation for licensure as a professional counselor.
When programmatic accreditation is required — meaning state licensure or professional certification depends on it — choosing an unaccredited program in that field effectively renders the degree unusable for its intended purpose. When programmatic accreditation is preferred — meaning it enhances credential recognition but is not legally required — it still provides a meaningful quality signal to employers and graduate admissions committees.
How to Verify a School’s Accreditation Status
Verifying accreditation is straightforward if you know where to look. The process takes minutes and can prevent years of wasted time and money.
Use the USDE Database. The U.S. Department of Education maintains a searchable database of accredited postsecondary institutions and programs at ope.ed.gov/dapip. You can search by institution name, state, or accrediting agency. The database shows which accrediting agency covers the school and whether that agency is currently recognized by the USDE.
Use the CHEA Database. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation maintains a separate searchable database at chea.org/search-institutions. CHEA’s database includes institutions accredited by agencies recognized by CHEA, which partially overlaps with but is not identical to USDE recognition.
Check the School’s Website. Accredited institutions almost always display their accreditation status on their website — typically on an “About” page, an “Accreditation” page, or within individual program descriptions. Look for the specific name of the accrediting agency. If a school simply says “accredited” without naming the agency, treat that as a warning sign.
Cross-Reference the Accrediting Agency. Once you know which agency accredits a school, verify that the agency itself is recognized by checking it against the USDE and CHEA lists. An accreditation claim from an unrecognized accrediting agency is meaningless.
Diploma mills — entities that sell degrees with little or no legitimate academic work — often claim accreditation from agencies that are not recognized by the USDE or CHEA. These unrecognized accreditors exist specifically to provide a veneer of legitimacy to fraudulent or substandard institutions.
Watch for these red flags:
- The accrediting agency cannot be found in the USDE or CHEA databases. If the agency is not on either list, it is not a recognized accreditor , regardless of how professional its website looks.
- The school offers degrees with minimal or no coursework. Legitimate accredited master’s programs require 30–60 credit hours of graduate-level work. Schools that promise degrees based primarily on “life experience” or in unrealistically short timeframes are almost certainly not legitimately accredited.
- The school’s name closely mimics a well-known university. Some diploma mills deliberately adopt names that sound similar to established institutions to create confusion.
- Pressure to enroll immediately with no admissions process. Accredited institutions have application processes, even if they are streamlined. Schools that guarantee acceptance and push for immediate enrollment should be scrutinized carefully.
- No verifiable faculty information. Legitimate accredited institutions identify their faculty with credentials, academic backgrounds, and professional experience. Schools that provide no faculty information or list faculty without verifiable credentials raise serious concerns.
The stakes for online students are particularly high because the geographic distance between student and institution makes it easier for fraudulent operations to appear legitimate. Always verify before enrolling.
Choosing an Accredited Online Master’s Program
Translating accreditation knowledge into program selection requires applying a clear decision framework. For online master’s students, the following priorities reflect how accreditation type should factor into your program search.
- Start with institutional (regional) accreditation. For the vast majority of online master’s students, institutional (regional) accreditation should be a non-negotiable filter. It ensures the broadest recognition by employers, the easiest credit transfer path, full eligibility for professional licensure, and acceptance by doctoral programs if you continue your education. Schools like Southern New Hampshire University , Arizona State University , and Liberty University all hold institutional accreditation and offer extensive online master’s program catalogs.
- Check for relevant programmatic accreditation in your field. If you are pursuing a master’s degree in a field where professional licensure or certification is the goal—education, social work, counseling, nursing, business, engineering, or public health—confirm that the specific program holds the appropriate programmatic accreditation. Institutional accreditation alone may not be sufficient for these fields.
- Understand that online delivery does not change accreditation status. A master’s degree earned online from a regionally accredited university carries the same accreditation as a degree earned on campus at the same school. Accreditation applies to the institution, not the delivery format. Transcripts and diplomas do not typically distinguish between online and on-campus completion.
- Use program comparison tools to narrow your search. Once you have confirmed accreditation, factors like cost, curriculum structure, faculty access, flexibility, and career outcomes become the primary differentiators. Our accreditation overview provides additional context for evaluating how accreditation fits into the broader program evaluation process.
- Consider nationally accredited programs only with full awareness of the limitations. There are specific situations—such as career-focused credentials where employer recognition is already established or faith-based ministry preparation—where a nationally accredited program may serve your goals. But go in with eyes open about the limitations on credit transfer, graduate school access, and broader employer recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Regional (institutional) accreditation is better for an online master’s degree in almost all cases. It provides broader employer recognition, smoother credit transfer to other accredited institutions, eligibility for professional licensure in regulated fields, and acceptance by doctoral programs. National accreditation is legitimate but carries practical limitations that can restrict how your degree is recognized and used.
In most cases, no. Regionally accredited institutions typically do not accept transfer credits from nationally accredited schools. The reverse is sometimes possible — nationally accredited schools may accept credits from regionally accredited institutions — but the one-way restriction makes this the most consequential difference between the two accreditation types. If there is any chance you may need to transfer programs, starting at a regionally accredited school protects your coursework investment.
There is no legal requirement for any degree program to be accredited. However, attending an unaccredited program means you will not qualify for federal financial aid, your degree may not be recognized by employers or licensing boards, and credits will not transfer to accredited institutions. For practical purposes, accreditation is essential for any degree you intend to use professionally. Online programs at accredited schools carry the same accreditation as their on-campus equivalents.
Yes. To qualify for federal financial aid—including Direct Loans, Pell Grants, and GI Bill benefits—a school must be accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Both regional (institutional) and national accreditors can meet this requirement, so accreditation type alone does not determine financial aid eligibility. However, some institutional scholarships and employer tuition reimbursement programs specifically require regional accreditation.
Programmatic (specialized) accreditation evaluates a specific academic program within an institution rather than the institution as a whole. You need it if your field requires it for professional licensure or certification. For example, MSW programs need CSWE accreditation for social work licensure, and many states require CAEP-accredited programs for teacher certification. In fields without licensure requirements, programmatic accreditation is a strong quality signal but not strictly necessary.
Yes. In 2020, the USDE and CHEA began shifting terminology from “regional accreditation” to “institutional accreditation” to reflect that the seven accrediting agencies formerly known as regional accreditors now evaluate schools beyond their original geographic territories. Both terms refer to the same type of accreditation and the same accrediting agencies. The term “regional accreditation” remains widely used in practice, and both terms are correct.
Search for the school in the U.S. Department of Education’s database (ope.ed.gov/dapip) or the CHEA database (chea.org/search-institutions). Both databases list accredited institutions and the recognized accrediting agencies that evaluated them. If a school claims accreditation from an agency that does not appear on either list, that accreditation is not recognized and should be treated as a red flag. You can also check the school’s website for the specific name of its accrediting agency and cross-reference it.