Why is College Accreditation Important?

Not all colleges are accredited by agencies recognized by the federal government.
 
The most common type of accreditation of degree-granting colleges – from community colleges to large universities - is called “regional accreditation.” Each regional accreditor covers the colleges in one region of the U.S. Their websites list all colleges accredited by them and give other information such as the current status of the college’s accreditation and its degrees,students, and other locations.
 
The following are the 7 U.S. regional accreditors, with links to their websites:
 
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
http://www.msche.org/ 

New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
http://www.neasc.org/ 

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
http://www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org/ 

Northwest Association of Schools and of Colleges and Universities, Commission on Colleges and Universities
http://www.nwccu.org/ 

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
http://www.sacscoc.org/ 
 
Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities
http://www.wascsenior.org 

Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
http://www.accjc.org/ 

Specific programs within a college may also be accredited by“ specialized accreditors.”
(See link below.)
http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/accreditation_pg8.html#NationalInstitutional 

Accreditation assures you that:
 

• TEACHING includes analytical, communication, and other basic “lifelong learning” college skills, expertise in the“major” field, and additional courses needed for the type of education it offers. Students’ learning is assessed.
• FEDERAL FUNDS FOR STUDENTS are available to students of colleges accredited by federally recognized accreditors.
  http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/accreditation_pg7.html#RegionalInstitutions 
• RESOURCES, FUNDING AND SERVICES are available as needed, such as faculty, equipment, and student services.
• CREDIT TRANSFER AND DEGREE ACCEPTANCE BY EMPLOYERS and OTHER COLLEGES will probably be facilitated because a college’s accreditation is usually considered.
• MANAGEMENT is performed by appropriate staff.·EXPERTS are used in reviewing the college, such as professors and college presidents.

J:/Papers & Presentations/Why is College Accreditation Important.doc
 

More about Middle States 

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Middle States Trivia

A mere three years after opening its doors in 1971, LaGuardia received the highest accreditation possible by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association. 

Thanks to our legacy of collaborative cooperation, LaGuardia has since been accredited by Middle States for each successive five-year evaluation period. As LaGuardia’s current Middle States evaluation process moves forward, founding President Joseph Shenker’s recipe for success back then is a timeless one: “Since the College opened in the fall of 1971, members of the faculty, administration, and student body have joined hands and worked diligently toward creating diversified, challenging academic programs. Such an outstanding endeavor by all segments of our College has been richly rewarded by receipt of the highest level of Middle States accreditation possible.” 

To view more Trivia Questions click here.

To learn more about LaGuardia's Middle States accreditation process, contact Professor Gordon Tapper, Steering Committee Chair, at ext. 5669, or email gtapper@lagcc.cuny.edu.



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