College Shopping and the Importance of Accreditation

The most wonderful time of year is upon us once again and, if you’re like me, you’ve got shopping on the brain. Gone are the days of hitting every big-box store in four surrounding counties looking for the must-have gift of the year. With the power of the internet, you can easily compare inventory and prices among different stores and have that item on your doorstep in two business days. All of the information you need to make the best purchase as a consumer is literally at your fingertips—you just have to take the time to do your research and find it. 

The same is true for higher education. If you’ve decided to return to college, either full or part-time, your first step is likely a Google search. Then, you start comparing your options. In addition to the obvious comparisons you’ll make on tuition, online options, and degrees available, one of the most important things you should compare is an institution’s accreditation. Sounds simple enough, right? Actually, there are a lot of different types of accreditation out there, and knowing the difference is important when choosing to go back to school online. Here are the most frequently asked questions that we receive about accreditation and the answers that will help you make an informed decision.

What does it mean for a school to be “accredited”?

Being “accredited” means that a school or program has been voluntarily evaluated by a third- party, independent accrediting agency to ensure that it meets a set standard of quality. Accreditation is an important way to uphold the integrity of the higher education industry and protect students against low quality (and often very expensive) “diploma mills.” Think of accrediting organizations as the Better Business Bureaus of Higher Education. However, not all accreditations are created equal, which is the most important takeaway from this article. 

What type of accreditation should I look for, or what is the “best” accreditation to have?

Although there is no technical hierarchy of accreditations, there are some that are more widely recognized than others. In the United States, the most recognized and accepted type of accreditation is Regional Accreditation. Recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), there are several different legitimate regional accrediting organizations in the United States. A school’s accrediting body is generally determined by the region of the country in which it is located.  Within the University System of Georgia, our schools are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). A full list of regional accrediting organizations is available on the CHEA website. It’s always a good idea to check that the school you are considering is included on this list. 

What is a “specialized” accreditation? 

In addition to a college or university’s regional accreditation, individual programs may seek additional specialized accreditations. These are common in areas such as education, healthcare, and business. For example, the School of Business Administration at Georgia Southwestern State University holds specialized accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), which is the most prestigious accrediting agency for business schools worldwide. This additional accreditation  means that, in addition to the institution’s quality standards mandated by their regional accrediting body (SACSCOC), the School of Business at GSW has voluntarily been reviewed by and met even higher standards set by the longest standing, most recognized form of professional accreditation an institution and its business programs can earn.

Why is a school’s accreditation so important?

A school’s accreditation is important for many reasons. Regionally accredited institutions generally qualify for federal and state financial aid, their credits are transferable to other regionally accredited schools, and a degree from a regionally accredited school is required for admission to most graduate schools. 

All in all–accreditation is something that you definitely want to confirm before you enroll in a higher education program. During my many years in higher education, some of the most difficult conversations I’ve had were with students whose courses were non-transferrable due to their previous institution’s accreditation (or lack thereof). 

eCore and eMajor programs are offered through public, SACSCOC accredited institutions within the University System of Georgia. As regionally accredited institutional credit, these courses are eligible for financial aid, employer assistance programs, etc, and are widely accepted as transfer credit among other regionally accredited schools. Please visit our eCore affiliate and eMajor affiliate institution pages for more information on accreditation at these colleges and universities.