How to Tell If an Online University Is Accredited
The tragedy that can befall a fresh graduate is to know that despite the fact that he/she has gotten his/her academic paper from a university that is not accredited, the chances of him/her getting a job is nil. Kindly don’t take this as other people’s problem, because it’s happening frequently due to the mushrooming of institution of higher learning lacking proper accreditation. It’s even get trickier when it comes to universities offering online programs. When we talk of accreditation, we simply refer to the validation process that evaluates the institutions against set benchmarks to ensure uniform programs and uphold quality education programs across the board.
Getting the information which can prove invariable as you navigate the tedious process of uncovering the accreditation status is not very hard because, for instance, the government of the US as a requirement to the effect that all universities should provide ample information on prospective and present students about their accreditation. The information we are talking about is usually contained in a particular document provided by the accrediting agencies.
Other than the date of accreditation, the accrediting agency –the US for instance as several independent accrediting agencies vetted by the federal government -, is another vital information which should be checked out because there are some dubious accrediting agencies pretend to be evaluated and qualified by the government, while other university use terms that suggest wrongly that they are accredited. Such terms include phrases like “chartered”, “recognized”, “pursuing accreditation”, “Approved”, “registered and licensed” among other, all this phrases require somebody who is familiar with the accreditation process because there are no two words for instance, in the list with the same meaning, therefore, you can seek advise on the same instead of ignoring the fine print. As for the reputability of the accrediting agencies, it is better when you confirm from council for higher education accreditation (CHEA) database on their web or the listing of the national and regional accrediting agencies.
The greatest solace for prospective online student is that accreditation for distance learning institutions are almost the same as the other kinds of institutions.