Despite their for-profit nature, nationally accredited schools tend to be less expensive, which could mean lower loan obligations for students. Regional accreditation is state-owned and highly prestigious, focusing on the degree programs in either public state universities or private colleges and universities. The term regional refers to the area where the accrediting body operates, and there are seven regional agencies that review the schools in their area.
When most people talk about an accredited university, this is usually the type they mean. Regionally accredited schools have the most widely accepted credit transfer, which gives students the flexibility to transfer community college credits to a university or to relocate if necessary.
Regionally accredited schools also include those eligible for corporate tuition reimbursement programs , which can be an important consideration for students studying to obtain a degree program in the industry in which they work. Accreditation is better than non-accreditation, so look for an accredited school when researching colleges. Non-accredited schools are sometimes looked at askance, as they may simply be diploma mills, issuing degrees to anyone who pays the tuition.
When choosing between regional and national accreditation, keep in mind that the standards for regional accreditation are the most rigorous and respected. Checking the accreditation of any college is simple. Just visit the U. Students who attend nonaccredited schools may not get as good an education as those in a regionally accredited school or a nationally accredited one because the standards for teaching and learning may not be as high as those for accredited schools.
Global Network. Career Development. Life After Graduation. Student Life. Program Advising. Virtual Tour. Transfer Credits. English Proficiency. How to Apply. Prepare for University. Foundation Courses. First Courses Prep.
The American Education System. University Documents. Essential Documents. UoPeople Policies. Ask a Student. What is Tuition-Free? Our Scholarships. About UoPeople. In Brief. Fact Sheet. President's Council. Board of Trustees.
Our Academic Team. Academic Partners. UN Partners. Corporate Partners. Foundation Partners. Worldwide Recognition. UoPeople in the Media. Contact Us. What is Accreditation Exactly? Regional vs. National Accreditation: The Differences While they both serve the same ultimate goal, when it comes to regional vs national accreditation, there are still crucial differences that need to be understood.
What Is Regional Accreditation? Should Schools Be Accredited? How Colleges are Accredited In order to become accredited, an educational institution must take several steps, starting out with the agency and institution establishing which criteria must be met. Some Schools Are Not Accredited Not all schools choose to become accredited, regardless of regional vs.
Financial Aid Students who study at an accredited institution can be given financial aid, with no difference between regional and national accreditation. How Transferring Affects Financial Aid Transfering schools from one accredited school to another, with no difference whether they are regionally or nationally accredited, should have no effect on financial aid.
Free Tools There are a variety of free online tools that can help you check. Agencies You can also check to see if a school is accredited through the accreditation agencies themselves. Photo by Kaboompics. Transferring Credits Between Schools with Different Accreditation Transferring credits between schools with different accreditation tends to be problematic.
As the name implies, regional accrediting organizations operate in specific areas of the country. Regional accreditation bodies accredit a diverse range of schools that offer any or all of these degrees:. National accreditation organizations usually accredit schools that focus on career or religious education. Changes in plans or circumstances often make it impossible for students to graduate from the same school where they started. Transferring earned credits to another institution is easier if they were granted by a regional accreditation organization.
Thinking of the credit transfer process in terms of money helps to understand the difference between the negotiability of the two kinds of accreditation. Regionally accredited colleges usually accept credits from other schools that hold similar credentials. Schools that have a national accreditation usually accept credits only from other institutions in their network. The money illustration is helpful, because some types of currency are not as negotiable as others.
In America, the dollar is the standard form of currency for trade, and it is accepted everywhere. To spend Chinese yen or Indian rupees in the United States, a person has to go to stores that accept them.
0コメント