Understanding Accreditation of Schools in the United States Mobile AL

Understanding Accreditation of Schools in the United States

With the way the American education system is structured, it's possible to end up at a less-than-desirable school if you don't know what to look for. One of the best ways to ensure that you are applying to a school that will give you a good education is by exploring whether or not it is accredited. Accreditation is a form of endorsement that schools use to let potential students know that their program offers a valid education that is officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

How schools get accredited
Earning an accreditation in the United States is a voluntary, nongovernmental process. Schools request to be evaluated and/or have their programs evaluated by an independent accrediting agency. The agency sets its own standards that the school must meet in order to earn their accreditation, and since accrediting agencies vary in their quality standards, some are considered more prestigious than others. Which one a school pursues depends on what standard of quality the school hopes to achieve and to maintain.

Schools usually familiarize themselves with the agency's standards well ahead of time and spend several months preparing for their accreditation review. If they pass the review and earn accreditation, it is an endorsement of their school as a legitimate institution of higher education that meets an acceptable level of quality.

Author: Amy Ambler

2009 Peterson's, A Nelnet Company. All Rights Reserved

Click here to read more from Petersons