There are different types of accreditation available to universities and colleges, each with a unique purpose or role in the academic landscape.
Institutional accreditation involves a comprehensive review of all institutional functions. Institutional accrediting organizations, Like WSCUC, accredit the institution rather than the individual programs, although new programs are reviewed through the substantive change process. Each accrediting commission and association has standards, policies, institutional review procedures, and staff that are specific to that commission.
Programmatic accreditation represents an additional level of external peer evaluation and quality assurance that applies to specific programs within an institution. This type of accreditation focuses on how a program prepares students for a specific field and how it leads to professional practice. Employers and students can trust that the program meets quality standards set by the profession.