Here are some very important facts regarding the Accreditation Question
Accreditation usually assures the basic instructional value of an institution
Accreditation is a form of peer review for academic institutions based on a initial self-assessment, then a Accreditating Association examination of that assessment, which is done on a fee basis and often includes a probationary period for schools under consideration before reaching 'Fully Accredited' status by the Accrediting body offering the accreditation.
Accreditation significantly increase tuition costs. For many degrees it is worth it, for others it is not. Careful consideration should be made of the goals of any prospective student. It is essential for some degrees, professions and ministry positions, not essential for other degrees and professions and unneccessary for most ministry positions.
Accreditation is never permanent. Institutions that have it can also lose it as it is never given on a permanent basis but only on a temporary basis and subject to re-evaluation and renewal.
Degrees granted at any level are NOT and can never BE accredited. Department of Education standards only allow for the institutions methods and manner of education to be qualitatively assessed and accredited.
Since the United States government plays no active role in accrediting institutions, they rather, APPROVE a limited number of Accrediting Associations who offer Regional accreditation TO a given School.
This accreditation is what is called USDE recognized accreditation and is such in regards to Title IV US Government Financial Aid status. Therefore, any non-USDE recognized accreditation is, in the strictest Department of Education related sense, not accreditation but only a form of peer evaluation, approval and acceptance given for purposes of comparing that particular institutions value, level or standard of quality in relation to those institutions of similar type.
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