Higher education accreditation in the United States
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Higher education accreditation in the United States is a peer review process by which the validity of degrees and credits awarded by higher education institutions is assured. It is coordinated by accreditation commissions made up of member institutions. It was first undertaken in the late 19th century by cooperating educational institutions, on a regional basis.
The federal government began to play a limited role in
The
Professional schools, which are often graduate schools, have separate organizations for accreditation.
Institutional accreditation
Institutional accreditation applies to the entire institution, specific programs, and distance education within an institution.[4]
Regional and national accreditation
Prior to 2020, there were regional and national accrediting agencies, both of which were accountable to the Department of Education. Regional bodies historically accredited institutions in a particular region of the country. National bodies were established to accredit institutions across the country, and sometimes beyond it. Within American higher education, regional bodies were considered more prestigious.[5]
In February 2020, the Department of Education eliminated the distinction between regional and national accrediting agencies, creating one unified set of institutional accreditors.[6] The department claimed that the change was intended to encourage cooperation between accredited schools to improve student experiences, uphold quality standards, and reduce the cost of higher education by encouraging transparent transfer of credits and mutual recognition of degrees between schools with common standards. It also claimed that the change was intended to allow students to be able to access the best school for their needs no matter what region they reside in.[7]
Four months after this change was made, the
Historically, educational accreditation activities in the United States were overseen by seven regional accrediting agencies established in the late 19th and early 20th century to foster articulation between secondary schools and higher education institutions, particularly evaluation of prospective students by colleges and universities.
Regionally accredited schools were usually academically oriented and most were non-profit. Nationally accredited schools, a large number of which are
Recognized institutional accreditors
The U.S. Department of Education recognizes the following organizations as institutional accreditors:[17]
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
- Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
- Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training
- American Bar Association
- American Board of Funeral Service Education
- American Osteopathic Association
- American Podiatric Medical Association
- Association for Biblical Higher Education
- Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools
- Association of Institutions of Jewish Studies
- Association of Theological Schools
- Commission on English Language Program Accreditation
- Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation
- Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
- Council on Chiropractic Education
- Distance Education Accrediting Commission
- Higher Learning Commission
- Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools
- Midwifery Education Accreditation Council
- Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education
- National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design
- National Association of Schools of Dance
- National Association of Schools of Music
- National Association of Schools of Theatre
- New England Commission of Higher Education
- New York State Board of Regents, and the Commissioner of Education
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
- WASC Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
- WASC Senior College and University Commission
Programmatic accreditation
These accreditors typically cover a specific program of professional education or training, but in some cases they cover the whole institution. Best practices are shared and developed through affiliation with the Association of Professional and Specialized Accreditors.[18] Both the US Department of Education[19] and CHEA[20] maintain lists of recognized US programmatic accreditors:
For broad resources on how programmatic accreditation is managed in the United States (and globally) see Accreditation.org which provides background on the process, accords, agreements, and accrediting bodies related to engineering and computing degrees.
Other recognized accreditors
Several organizations exist that accredit institutions and which are not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or CHEA. These include:
- The State Bar of California Committee of Bar Examiners[21]
Formerly recognized accreditors
- Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
- International Association for Learner Driven Schools
Religious accreditors
Although many schools related to religious organizations hold regional accreditation or secular national accreditation, there are four different agencies that specialize in accreditation of religious schools:
- Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools (AARTS)
- Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS)
- Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)
- Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS)
These groups specialize in accrediting theological and religious schools including
Use of .edu top-level Internet domain
Since 2001, the use of the
Criticism of accreditation
Various commenters have written about the role and effectiveness of the American accreditation system. It has drawn particular interest since the rise of
In his 1996 book Crisis in the Academy, Christopher J. Lucas criticized the accreditation system as too expensive, onerously complicated, incestuous in its organization, and not properly tied to quality.[26][27] Similarly, a 2002 report by George C. Leef and Roxana D. Burris of the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) argued that the system does not ensure or protect educational quality, while still imposing significant costs.[28][29] In a 2006 "issue paper", Robert C. Dickeson wrote that a lack of transparency, low and lax standards, and outdated regionalization were among the problems with regional accreditation.[30] Others, such as Edward M. Elmendorf of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, reject these claims, arguing that they are "picking around the edges" of a proven and necessary system for upholding standards.[26][31] Thomas C. Reeves notes that some schools unable or unwilling to meet the standards of traditional, regional accrediting bodies are closely involved in creating national accrediting agencies with significantly lower standards.[32]
At various times the U.S. government has investigated changes to the accreditation system. In 2002 the House of Representatives Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness criticized the system.
An article published by "University World News" on 2 February 2018 stated that the higher education accreditation community, which confers the quality-assurance seal of approval that allows United States colleges and universities access to billions of dollars of federal student aid, must do a better job of explaining itself to the public if it wants to reverse waning public confidence in higher education. That was one of the tamer recommendations voiced at a conference for accreditors, who are feeling the brunt of growing scepticism about the value of a US college degree.[37]
See also
- List of recognized higher education accreditation organizations
- List of unrecognized higher education accreditation organizations
- Accreditation mill
Notes
References
- ^ "Recognition of Accreditation Organizations: A Comparison of Policy & Practice of Voluntary Accreditation and The United States Department of Education" (PDF). CHEA. January 1998. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 15, 2010. Retrieved November 6, 2009.
- ^ U.S. Department of Education, Accreditation in the United States
- ^ College Review Journal, Complete List of National Accrediting Agencies Archived 2011-06-16 at the Wayback Machine.
- U.S. Department of Education, Accreditation in the United States
- ^ a b Aasen, Adam (November 18, 2008). "Battle rages on accreditation, college money". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
- ^ 2020 February USDoEd Final Accreditation and State Authorization Regulations [1]
- ^ Judith Eaton, CHEA President Expresses Pros and Cons for Regionals going National https://www.chea.org/will-regional-accreditation-go-national-0
- ^ Lederman, Doug (February 27, 2020). "Go East (or North), Regional Accreditor". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8018-8035-3.
- ^ a b c History of the North Central Association
- ^ Judith S. Eaton, Accreditation and Recognition in the United States Archived 2012-03-07 at the Wayback Machine, CHEA, 2008.
- ^ Geteducated.com. "Regional Accreditation vs National Accreditation for Online Colleges". Retrieved March 20, 2018.
- ISBN 9781135508678.
Regional accreditation is considered more prestigious than national accreditation.
- ^ Heffter, Emily; Perry, Nick (February 24, 2006). "Student Takes on College and Wins". Seattle Times. Retrieved June 1, 2010 – via nwsource.com.
- ^ Billman, Jeffrey C. (April 14, 2005). "Bad Education". Orlandoweekly.com. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
- ^ Hechinger, John (October 3, 2005). "A Battle Over Standards At For-Profit Colleges". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on December 4, 2008. Retrieved June 1, 2010 – via Collegejournal.com.
- U.S. Department of Education. 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
- ^ "Association of Professional and Specialized Accreditors". ASPA-USA.org. March 31, 2003. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
- U.S. Department of Education. June 28, 2021. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ "Programmatic Accrediting Organizations". Council for Higher Education Accreditation. 2021. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ The Committee of Bar Examiners, State Bar of California (August 28, 2009). Guidelines for Accredited Law School Rules. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
- ^ Religious Exempt Schools Archived 2011-02-21 at the Wayback Machine, Oregon Student Assistance Commission Office of Degree Authorization website, accessed March 21, 2011
- ^ Exemptions from the higher education licensing process for religious colleges Archived 2018-03-21 at the Wayback Machine, Connecticut General Assembly website, accessed March 21, 2018
- ^ ".edu Internet Addresses". Diploma Mills and Accreditation – Diploma Mills. United States Department of Education. December 23, 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2010.
- S2CID 15523346.
- ^ S2CID 15523346.
- ISBN 9780312129361.
- ^ Leef, George C.; Burris, Roxana D. (2002). "Can college accreditation live up to its promise?" (PDF). American Council of Trustees and Alumni. Retrieved September 7, 2012.
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(help) - S2CID 15523346.
- ^ Doug Lederman (March 31, 2006). "Dropping a Bomb on Accreditation". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
- ^ a b c Richard Morgan (October 11, 2002). "Lawmakers Call for More Accountability From Accreditation System". The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved September 7, 2012.
- S2CID 15523346.
- Spellings Commission (2006). A Test of Leadership: Charting the Future of U.S. Higher Education(PDF). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education. p. 5.
Accreditation, along with federal and state regulation, can impede creative new approaches as well.
- ^
Eaton, Judith S. (June 28–29, 2001). "Taking a look at ourselves, accreditation". Letter from the President. Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Archived from the original on March 22, 2013. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
U.S. accreditation, then, is a robust, complex and unwieldy and sometimes controversial enterprise. These are the first things that we see when we 'take a look at ourselves, accreditation...'
- ^ Eric Kelderman (February 13, 2013). "Obama's Accreditation Proposals Surprise Higher-Education Leaders". The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
- ^ Chris Parr (February 21, 2013). "Obama wants cost to feature in accreditation scheme". Times Higher Education. Retrieved April 19, 2013.
- ^ Mary Beth Marklein (February 2, 2018). "HE accreditation sector faces pressure to reform". Retrieved August 19, 2020.