Online and Distance Learning.com

Why are the accreditation of an online school and taking accredited online programs so important for an online student or a distance learner?

What are "accredited online programs"?

This page explains more about "accreditation" and why it is important to take an accredited program.  If you want to find an accredited program in a particular subject, click on the link for "Online Programs" or the link for "On Campus Programs" depending on which you are interested in.

Increasingly, learners can get their online degrees and other qualifications from anywhere in the world. But care must be taken or else the quality of the education and qualification received will be worthless. To ensure quality, take an accredited online program from an accredited online school or university.

Accreditation is provided by governmental, nongovernmental and private agencies that usually report to departments or ministries of education. Accrediting bodies typically look at the qualifications of instructors, the school's recruiting practices, admissions procedures, course content and quality, and equal opportunity employment. They regularly review the schools to make sure that their accredited online programs meet minimum quality standards.

Why should you care about accredited online programs?

Enrolling in an accredited program at institution will affect at least three important things:

1. Qualification for financial aid from your government or employer;
2. Transferring credit to another institution, or advancing to another degree;
3. Your qualifications and credibility to your employer.

Checking accredited online programs

Before you enroll in a program, be sure is it accredited by a real accrediting body (many diploma mills will claim to be accredited by a fake body).

•  In the USA, make sure that it is accredited by

1. One of the six regional accreditation boards; OR
2. The Distance Education Training Council (DETC); OR
3. If you are enrolling in an associate degree program, the school may be accredited by a career-focused accrediting association such as the Accreditation Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology. Check with licensing boards and professional associations under which the school claims to offer programs. Make sure that the association is acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education.

Note: Only accreditation by one of the six regional accreditation boards will guarantee transfer of credits from one program to another if you should choose to change school or to take another program.

Check the US Department of Education and Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) for lists of accredited institutions and programs

• In Canada, check if it is:

1. An Authorized Postsecondary Institution that has been given the authority to grant academic credentials by the provincial or territorial government through charters or legislation that ensures or enables mechanisms for institutional and program quality; OR
2. A Career College and Vocational/Technical School that isregistered or licensed, under provincial or territorial legislation, to offer private occupational and vocational training program; OR
3. A Second Language School offering programs that meet the quality assurance standards of Languages Canada (LC).

Note: Here are online directories of all postsecondary institutions that are recognized by the competent jurisdictional authorities in Canada, are maintained by the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) in consultation with the provincial/territorial ministries and departments responsible for education.