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(EMAILWIRE.COM, June 12, 2009 ) June 12, 2009 New York, NY
Earning online degrees is becoming popular day by day which is bringing more and more students interested in distance learning towards such programs. Unfortunately, most of the students donÂ’t have proper research and information regarding this topic, resulting in the loss of their precious time and skills. So, it is very important for all to understand all facts and figures before the registration in any institute.
There are so many online study programs that it’s really tough to make the right choice. Some one has rightly said, “All “All that glitters isn’t gold”. You should not believe on the claims and promises of any university unless you’re sure that it is accredited one. Yes, only accredited universities and colleges can secure your future. Choosing an unaccredited institution for your degree would certainly be unwise and insecure.
Here is all you need to know about accreditation in the United States. Mainly, there are two sorts of US government recognized accreditation i.e. National Accreditation and Regional Accreditation. Specialized Accreditation is yet another type but is less common. Both regional and national accreditation are fully valid, but what is the difference?
Regional accreditation is confined to a specific section of the U.S. with supervising agencies that are approved by the U.S. Department of Education or Council for Higher Education Accreditation. North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, New England Association of Schools and Colleges are some of the accreditation agencies at the regional level.
National accreditation agencies grant certification to any interested institution. There are various national accreditation agencies in the US like Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT), Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) and Association of Biblical Higher Education to name a few.
Specialized Accreditation is the accreditation granted by certain accredited institutions, usually at the professional level. For example, certain medical universities support specialized accreditation for providing license to practice as doctors or pharmacists.
There are a few things in common between regional and national accreditation. Both of these are similar processes through which institutes that seek accreditation have to go. Once the agencies have conducted a deep analysis of all the educational factors of the institutes, the accreditation is granted to them. Both of the agencies are non profit organizations. Moreover, both of the types of accreditation institutes have facility of giving financial aid to students by means of loans or other sources.
As far as the difference between the two is concerned, a very significant difference is that regional accreditation is held at the regional level and thus regional agencies supervise traditional schools and colleges confined to a specific section. On the other hand, national accreditation agencies certify all interested institutes that have common objectives and themes.
Understand that both national and regional accreditation will suits your needs. The approval of former degrees or qualifications when applying for admission in an institute is another issue to be considered. Lastly, remember that most of the employers will readily hire you just because of the fact that you have an accredited study background i.e. they are not concerned whether your accreditation is regional or national. So, make the right choice and brighten your future.
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