By Fatskills Exam Guides Team — a small group of teachers, exam mentors, and ex-students who write about study habits, stress, admissions, and what actually helps in real student life.
Choosing an accredited online program is crucial to ensure your degree is recognized by employers, universities, and licensing boards. Here’s how accreditation works, why it matters, and how to check if your online program is legitimate.
Accreditation is a quality assurance process where colleges and universities are reviewed by independent agencies to ensure they meet academic and institutional standards.
✔ Why Accreditation Matters: ✅ Ensures high-quality education and faculty standards. ✅ Required for federal financial aid (FAFSA eligibility). ✅ Makes transferring credits to other universities easier. ✅ Employers prefer degrees from accredited schools.
✔ Considered the gold standard in the U.S. ✔ Accepted by most employers, universities, and grad schools. ✔ Easier to transfer credits between schools.
Regional Accrediting Agencies: - Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) - New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) - Higher Learning Commission (HLC) - Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) - Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) - Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Example of Regionally Accredited Schools: - Arizona State University Online (HLC) - University of Florida Online (SACSCOC) - Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) Online (NECHE)
✔ Less strict than regional accreditation. ✔ Common for for-profit, vocational, and trade schools. ❌ Not always accepted by employers or grad schools. ❌ Credits may not transfer to regionally accredited universities.
National Accrediting Agencies: - Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) - Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
Example of Nationally Accredited Schools: - University of the People (DEAC) - Penn Foster College (DEAC)
Some degree programs (especially in business, healthcare, law, and education) require specialized accreditation for licensing or professional certification.
✔ Common Accrediting Bodies: - Business Degrees: AACSB, ACBSP - Engineering Degrees: ABET - Nursing Degrees: CCNE, ACEN - Teaching Degrees: CAEP - Law Degrees: ABA
Example: A Bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN) should be CCNE or ACEN accredited for licensing.
Check Here: College Scorecard ✔ Enter the college name to see if it’s accredited. ✔ Look for regional accreditation for best recognition.
CHEA Database - Find Accredited Schools ✔ Lists all regionally & nationally accredited schools.
✔ Most universities list accreditation under “About Us” or “Accreditation”. ✔ Be cautious of fake accreditations from unrecognized agencies.
✔ If unsure, visit the accrediting body’s official website and search their list of accredited institutions.
Diploma Mills (Fake Degrees) – Schools that sell degrees with no real coursework. Unrecognized Accreditation – Fake agencies claiming accreditation status. Extremely Fast Degrees – If a school offers a Bachelor’s or Master’s in months, it’s a scam. Lack of Contact Information – No clear faculty, address, or phone number.
Example of Fake Accreditation: - “Accredited by the Global Higher Education Commission” (Not a real agency)
Check Legitimate Accrediting Agencies Here: U.S. Department of Education
✔ Only enroll in regionally accredited schools for best degree recognition. ✔ For professional fields, check for programmatic accreditation (AACSB for business, CCNE for nursing, etc.). ✔ Verify the school on official databases before applying. ✔ Be wary of online schools that promise degrees with little work.
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