How Can I Know If an Online Certificate Program is Accredited?

Online certificate programs strive to become accredited for the same reason all other degree programs and institutions do. They undergo the same academic evaluations as traditional, campus-based degree programs, in addition to analyzing a school’s delivery methods and student success. To truly comprehend the importance of accreditation, students must first understand what it means. Accreditation is the process in which institutions and all of their programs undergo strict evaluation to determine if they meet the minimum educational standards for measuring quality. Online and traditional colleges are accredited by nongovernmental entities and governmental accrediting agencies. These agencies are recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, as reliable authorities for evaluating the quality of education or training at higher education institutions. Once a school is accredited, it is subject to annual reviews of its teachers, coursework, facilities and equipment to verify that the school and its programs are upholding these standards.

In order to know if your online certificate program and school are accredited, you can check the U.S. Department of Education’s institutional database. Here, you’ll find a list of about 6,900 accredited online and traditional colleges, as well as their accredited online programs. You can also search by the accrediting agency that has granted accreditation to your school or program. Another reliable source for information on schools and their accreditation statuses is College Navigator. This search guide helps you target the right school for you, based on degree level, institution type and state.

Accreditation is not only important to the school’s repute and educational standards, but it also directly affects students. It is common for employers to not recognize a degree from an unaccredited school. They may question the legitimacy of the school and the degree program, if neither one was accredited. Another way accreditation affects students is the transfer of credits from an unaccredited school to an accredited school. Most accredited schools will not recognize unaccredited school credits, because they may not think your program adequately prepared you to continue your education, nor advance in any one field. Also, accreditation determines whether or not a school is eligible to participate in Federal student aid programs. This could be detrimental to many students, as thousands of undergraduates and graduates depend on financial assistance to pay for school. The best way to avoid being hurt by your school’s accreditation status is to attend a school that is accredited and continues to abide by the educational standards it agreed to.