", "By studying at UoPeople, I have more control over my schedule. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency. Regional Accreditation: An Overview. Part of the reason you should look for regionally accredited schools instead of nationally accredited schools is because of the standards a college must meet to achieve ac… Students should refer to the WASC website to learn more about the implications if and when UoPeople is to be accredited. Regional and national accredited colleges both have their pros and cons, so it’s essential to consider all options before making an informed choice. The US Department of Education recently decided that starting July 1, 2020, colleges and universities will no longer be distinguished by regional and national accreditation because all accrediting agencies are held to the same standards. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained on the ECPI.edu domain; however, no warranty of accuracy is made. That means that while we already have accreditation by the DEAC, as an American university, we receive many requests from our students to additionally apply for regional accreditation. Courses at colleges and universities that achieve regional accreditation are usually instructor-led, have certain components that are focused on the liberal arts, and designed to lead to bachelor and advanced degrees. While there is a clear difference between regional and national accreditation, it does not necessarily mean that one is better than the other. There are two types of accreditation—regional and national—and both are designed to let students and prospective students know that they are attending a reputable college or university. It is important that an accrediting body be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Regional Vs National Accreditation. Regional accreditation is granted to each institution by one of six organizations that focus mainly on academia and research-related areas of study. Three agencies are recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation that award schools national accreditation. One of University of the People’s ambitions is to be known as one of the best online universities in the world — and because we are well known for standing strong by the saying “for the people, by the people,” we also try to accommodate the wishes of our students as much as possible. Maryville University is regionally accredited by the HLC. It’s important to remember that here at University of the People, we are committed to our mission to break the barriers that stop students from pursuing a higher education. It is a preliminary finding that the institution is potentially accreditable and can proceed within five years of its Eligibility determination to be reviewed for Candidacy or Initial Accreditation status with the Commission. There are the professional credentials of the professors. Where accreditation gets a little confusing is when it comes to deciding which type—regional or national—is more important. Accreditation is a process that ensures colleges and universities meet standards related to everything from an educational institution's mission, strategic plan, academic program, faculty, buildings, technological resources finances and more. National accreditation is most often sought by colleges and educational programs that have academic programs focused on specific careers, vocations, and trades. Accreditation is a process under which an independent body evaluates a college or university to determine whether it meets academic and ethical standards. There's the quality of the curriculum. That’s why researching a school’s accreditation before enrolling is essential. Do Employers Care About GPA? To learn more about the role accreditation can play in your academic career, contact the admissions professionals at ECPI University. The university complies with the requirements of each state and reports to each state annually as required by law. Public and private four-year institutions are accredited by seven regional bodies, each of which maintains standards for a specific geographical area. To sum it up, accreditation is a verification process, done by third parties, through which higher education institutions can show that they are providing quality education. As the Education Revolution, University of the People offers affordable, tuition-free, online, degree-granting educational programs to any qualified student worldwide. University of the People has applied for Eligibility from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). National accreditation is granted by agencies that accredit schools nationwide. In 2014, University of the People received national accreditation by the DEAC. The standards for national accreditation are less rigorous than regional accreditation, and national accreditation is considerably less useful when transferring schools. ", "UoPeople opened an opportunity for me that didn’t otherwise exist. Copyright © University of the People 2020, Giuseppe Zerilli, UK, Computer Science Graduate, Rie Sakurai, Business Administration, Japan, Regional vs National Accreditation: What’s The Difference, Simone Biles, Olympic Champion, Business Administration. Additionally, most non-profit institutions are regionally accredited while most for-profit colleges and universities are nationally accredited. Here is a look at regional accreditation and national accreditation as well as what each means to you and your educational career. schools. That's pretty straight forward and easy to understand. WSCUC has reviewed the application and determined that the institution is eligible to proceed with an Application for Accreditation. University of the People is also approved by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). Nurses Nursing. Accreditation ensures that the degree programs offered by an institution will be recognized by both employers as well as other colleges and universities. We exist to open the gates to higher education no matter where you’re from, what’s your background, or what you own. These schools typically have fewer liberal arts requirements than those that seek regional accreditation and often, they provide more self-study courses. On the other hand, if you are more interested in a vocational or technical program, a nationally accredited institution may be the better fit. Sometimes we are programmed to think that something with “national” in the title is automatically bigger and/or better, but in this instance, this isn’t true. What is national accreditation? Regional vs. National Accreditation. Sponsored6 Programs Available . Accreditation is a voluntary process by which colleges demonstrate to each other, and sometimes to employers and licensing agencies, that their credits and degrees meet minimum standards. College Accreditation - Regional vs National Accreditation: A Guide. Earning credits in college is like getting points in a game. regional vs national accreditation. One of the reasons more colleges and universities seek regional accreditation is that it is widely considered to be the gold standard of college accreditation. It might sound like national accreditation would be more prestigious, but actually, the opposite is true. Different Accreditation Types. Regional accreditation typically is reserved for nonprofit, degree-granting colleges or universities with an academic focus that adhere to strict guidelines regarding their operations and educational offerings. Accreditation validates the high ethical and academic standards of our institution. The DEAC is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). When looking into what college or university you want to attend, one of the biggest influencers of your decision should be whether or not the institution in question is accredited. There is no single accredited type of educational facility. In fact, many schools that seek and achieve national accreditation offer exceptional graduation rates, lower tuition, and opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience through courses designed to provide practical coursework that mimics what students will find in the real world. Quick Links. In addition, it is important to look at whether a university has achieved state licensure, which means that the university meets both the high standards endorsed by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the states from which many of its students matriculate. LOCAL — Find Your Station — Fire Safety — Medical Emergencies — Evacuation Info — Disaster Readiness — Volunteer — Smoking Violation — Fire Stat LA — Los Angeles Community Resource Guide for Immigrant Angelenos. Because this “stamp of approval” reflects the high quality of our institution, this was a huge milestone for us. UoPeople is registered with and permitted to operate as an online university in all US states. National accreditation is granted by agencies that accredit schools nationwide. First, they prefer regional accreditation because the schools' credits are more portable; they are more widely accepted by other schools when students wish to transfer or to continue their education at another educational institution. PSU Regional vs National Accreditation. One college is both nationally and regionally accredited while the other is only regionally accredited. At the same time, we also prioritize the quality of our academics. But that doesn't mean they are necessarily of lesser quality. Generally speaking, regional accreditation is held in higher regard than national accreditation, though the United States federal government does recognize accrediting agencies of both kinds. Questions about Eligibility may be directed to the institution or to WSCUC at https://www.wscuc.org/contact or (510) 748-9001. When choosing which school to attend, it's important to find a college or university that is accredited. These schools are often less expensive and easier to get into than colleges and universities that are regionally accredited. Regional accreditation is the more common of the two types of accreditation for colleges and universities. Regional accreditation is more widely respected by the academic elite, employers, and the various magazines and websites that rank organizations in the education industry. Regional accreditation is granted by six different agencies who oversee institutions within a particular region of the US. In many instances, and especially where your concern is transfer-ability and financial assistance, you may be better off going to a college or university that has achieved regional accreditation. EducationDynamics maintains business relationships with the schools it features. Considered the most prestigious and widely-recognized type of accreditation, regionally-accredited schools are reviewed by their designated regional agency. Our students have requested that we apply for regional accreditation and, as a result, University of the People has applied for Eligibility from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Through the accreditation process, WSCUC helps institutions in developing and maintaining effective educational programs. There's academic rigor. I am currently looking into RN to BSN programs. National accreditation has nothing to do with location. No contractual rights, either expressed or implied, are created by its content. Many colleges that cater to non-traditional students seek national accreditation. The ECPI University website is published for informational purposes only. The answer depends on your educational goals. It is important to note that national accreditation is widely regarded as a less rigorous standard than regional accreditation. In fact, for most students and most situations, regional accreditation is better than national accreditation. College Accreditation – Regional vs National Accreditation. Standards for Accreditation. National accreditation is most often sought by colleges and educational programs that have academic programs focused on specific careers, vocations, and trades. "ECPI University is the best decision anyone can ever make. National accreditation agencies are more focused on providing accreditation for a variety of degrees and certifications. Regional vs. National Accreditation In the United States, accreditation is done by agencies that have both regional and national scopes. Elearners. Most have heard of regional accreditation, the most commonly recognized term. ", — Yann Chemali (@Yannothan) February 27, 2015. That’s why acquiring accreditation by prestigious accrediting agencies, recognized by the US education ministry, is one of our top priorities. What is the difference between national and regional accreditation? The term regional refers to the area where the accrediting body operates, and there are seven regional agencies that review the schools in their area. Second, students who attend regionally accredited institutions are typically eligible for all corporate and government financial aid programs. Plain and simple, regional accreditation is not the same as national accreditation. According to WASC’s formal message, the process of getting their accreditation can take up to 5 years until we receive a response. The main difference between the two is that credits earned from institutions that are regionally accredited are more widely accepted and thus more easily transferable. As such, the vast majority of regionally accredited colleges or universities will not accept transfer credits or recognize degrees earned … U.S. Students typically prefer to attend regionally accredited colleges and universities for two main reasons: To achieve regional accreditation, a college or university is evaluated by one of six organizations—each endorsed by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and responsible for a separate region of the country. In fact, many schools that seek and achieve national accreditation offer exceptional graduation rates, lower tuition, and opportunities for stu… American Sentinel University has a very appealing online program which awards an experienced nurse 30 credits for a nursing license and another 30 credits for >2 years of experience. Regional and national accreditation both refer to a status given to an entire institution. Regional Accreditation is state-owned and highly prestigious whereas National Accreditation is career-oriented, vocational, and profit-seeking in nature It is both a process and a status to ensure that higher education institutions and programs meet a set of standards developed by the accrediting councils. The main difference between regional and national accreditation is that regionally accredited institutions are more commonly accepted and easily transferable than nationally accredited programs. Here is a comprehensive look into institutional accreditation and UoPeople’s ambition to further strengthen our high-quality academics. Posted May 2, 2017. shanaynay0 (New) I have submitted my application to two different colleges, both of which are technical colleges. Howell, T. Why You Should Care About Accreditation. Learn about our people, get the latest news, and much more. To learn more about UoPeople’s accreditation click here. Copyright © 2021East Coast Polytechnic Institute™All Rights Reserved, Cyber and Information Security Technology, Systems Engineering Master's - Mechatronics, Electronic Systems Engineering Technology, 2.5 Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Operations, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management, Management Master's - Homeland Security Management, Management Master's - Human Resources Management, Management Master's - Organizational Leadership, rank organizations in the education industry, contact the admissions professionals at ECPI University, What Our Students Say About the Faculty at ECPI University. This peer-review process is the primary means of assuring educational quality in the United States. If you want to pursue a career that requires an academic degree, then you may want to attend a regionally accredited school. There are three types of accrediting bodies: regional, national, and programmatic. When it comes to choosing a college, you've got a lot to consider. Some schools just do not fit into the molds created by the regional accreditation associations. … Many students find the term "accreditation" confusing. To learn more about UoPeople’s accreditation, click here. In the case of any sort of change, we will be sure to notify our students far in advance. These schools typically have fewer liberal arts requirements than those that seek regional accreditation and often, they provide more self-study courses. The WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) is a regional accrediting body for the western region of the United States. Although institutions marked with a national stamp may have rigorous degrees and certificates, and more relaxed admission standards, their credits don’t transfer to a school with regional accreditation and tuition may be higher since their stability depends on keeping shareholders happy. Bray, K. (2013). Whether regional accreditation continues or regionals become national, the decision to consider and accept transfer credits is up to individual institutions, independent of the accreditor. Regional accreditation is granted by six different agencies who oversee institutions within a particular region of the US. Both types of accreditors are eligible for recognition by the U.S. Department of Education. Regional vs. National Accreditation. Nationally-accredited agencies review institutions of a similar type, such as career, vocational, and technical (art & design, nursing, etc.) What is National Accreditation? There's tuition, transfer-ability of credits and availability of courses. Traditionally, this has included technical, career, and online schools. College Accreditation - Regional vs National Accreditation . National accreditation can be a misleading term. Institutions that are regionally accredited focus on studies that are state-owned. Regional accreditation is the educational accreditation of schools, colleges, and universities in the United States by one of seven regional accrediting agencies. Regional accreditation is older than national accreditation and, with a few exceptions, more rigorous than national accreditation. UoPeople decided to pursue another layer of accreditation by applying for regional accreditation from WASC. As a university “for the people by the people”, we care about our community of students and listen to their requests. Your Questions Answered. University of the People is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. Print . And there are all of the intangibles, which play important roles in determining what type of overall educational experience you'll enjoy. Each of the regional accrediting agencies evaluates the applicant school to ensure that it meets standards created to ensure quality. Since many of our students requested UoPeople to also apply for regional accreditation, we decided this was the right move for us. It is meant to assure the public that an institution has met high standards of quality and effectiveness. University of the People has applied for Eligibility from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Nationally-accredited institutions are generally held to a different, less stringent, set of standards regarding faculty and institutional resources. The BPPE establishes and enforces standards for California institutions and protects consumers. As required by law, UoPeople submits annual reports which include information about our educational programs, program costs, post-graduation job placement rates, and more. • Regional accreditation of a university is based upon location while national accreditation is not region specific, and there is nothing to suggest that national universities are any better or more important than regional universities. Regional vs. national accreditation Credits from regionally-accredited institutions are more widely accepted and more easily transferable than nationally-accredited programs. Military Education. A regional accreditation is not the same as a national accreditation for an important reason: the difference is that credits earned at a regionally accredited institution are more widely accepted. UoPeople is always in full compliance with the BPPE and reports to the DEAC and BPPE on a regular basis to ensure our academic and ethical integrity. National accreditation is notbetter than regional accreditation. New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Institutions that are regionally accredited focus on studies that are state-owned. (2011). University of the People has been nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) since 2014. This information is publicly available so that applicants are able to make an informed decision when choosing to attend UoPeople. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The fact that the primary accreditors of higher education institutions are called "regional" or "national" accrediting bodies suggests that the institutions they … "My degree has already helped me in getting a great job at IBM. Programmatic or specialized accreditation is a status given to a specific program, department or school within a larger educational body. Regional vs National Accreditation. In general, the more accreditation, licenses, and approvals a college or university has—both for the overall academic institution and its specific programs—the better the quality of its education. Instead, there are three: institutional, regional and national. Let’s put aside regional versus national for just a second and look at what accreditation is in general. There are many more similarities than differences between national and regional accreditors; this has become increasingly true over time. New England Association of Schools and Colleges, NEASC. Additional accreditation only strengthens the validity and transferability of our courses and degree programs. Sometimes students and parents feel confused, not only about what accreditation really means, but also about what the difference is between regional and national … The DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency. Why is Accreditation important? 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