Academic accreditation

{{education}}'''Academic accreditation''' is a quality assurance system for universities, colleges, and occasionally secondary schools. It certifies that an organisation has the credentials to give people [[credentialism|credentials]].

Accreditation is a third-party process that costs tens of thousands of dollars and takes many years. Accreditation regulations vary from country to country but involves on-site visits and faculty evaluations. In the [[United States]] education system, in order to certify accreditation, an accrediting body must be recognized by the U.S Department of Education. 

==Types of accreditation==
Educational institutions may be accredited on an national or a regional basis. In regional accreditation, the standards are rigorous and expensive. Typically, regionally-accredited schools are quality institutions. National accreditation has lower standards and the process is generally less expensive, given that nationally accredited degree programs rarely transfer to regionally-accredited schools. There is also professional accreditation, which accredits professional programs such as medical programs, law schools, engineering schools, teacher education programs, and ministerial programs. 

In the United States, museums can also be accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.<ref>[http://www.aam-us.org/ American Alliance of Museums]</ref> Accreditation is rarer among museums (only about 10% nationwide<ref>Sharayah Cochran, [https://sites.google.com/site/universityartmuseumsinvirginia/paper-topics/sharayah-cochran-university-art-museums-and-the-american-association-of-museums-accreditation-program Best Practices & Bursars: The (Ac)credible University Art Museum].</ref>) than among other colleges and universities because the benefits to the museum are not as great. Colleges and universities need to attract students, student loans from the Department of Education, professors and grant money for research; being accredited is an important way to show that the institute as a whole meets a basic level of worthiness. Museums often do need to attract grant money, but they are not overseen by the Department of Education.

==Accrediting groups==  
===National accreditation groups===

*Accrediting Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET), accredits engineering programs
*Association of Theological Schools, accredits [[Christian]] colleges and seminaries such as Starr King School for the Ministry and Berkeley Divinity School
*Distance Education Accrediting Commission, provides accreditation for online colleges such as Penn Foster College and Ashworth College

====Dubious but recognized====

*[[Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools]] (TRACS), a national accreditation organization for [[creationist]] schools including [[Bob Jones University]] and [[Pensacola Christian College]]

===Regional accrediting groups===

*Council of Higher Education Accreditation
*Higher Learning Commission
*Mid-Atlantic Region Commission on Higher Education, a.k.a. the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (mid-Atlantic United States)
*North-Central Association of Colleges and Schools, midwestern United States
*Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, northwestern United States
*Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, southern United States
*Western Association of Colleges and Schools, western United States

===Professional accrediting groups===

Professional accreditation is a type of national accreditation that accredits degrees of a professional nature, such as medical  and law degrees.

*American Bar Association, accredits law schools (Harvard Law School)
*Association of Medical Colleges, accredits medical schools (Yale Medical School, University of Michigan Medical School)
*Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, accredits Osteopathic medical schools (Michigan State University Osteopathic Medical College)
*Council on Naturopathic Medical Education, accredits Naturopathic medical colleges ([[Bastyr University]])

=== Former groups === 
*[[Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools]] (ACICS), an accreditation agency that accredited substandard schools such as [[ITT Tech]]. Lost its official status as a national accreditation board in 2021 after an investigation revealed that it accredited a fake college.<ref>Chris Quintana, [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2021/06/02/education-department-college-accreditation-acics/7510216002/ Feds cancel reinstated accreditor after USA TODAY finds apparently fake college]. USA Today, 2 June 2021.</ref>

==Accreditation mills==
Accreditation mills are accreditation authorities that are not themselves accredited. Often, such organizations have little or no standards and will issue accreditation to any applicant for a one time fee. In some cases, [[diploma mill]]s attempt to add an air of legitimacy by operating their own accreditation organization and obtaining self-accreditation.<ref>Many will use names that sound similar to actual accrediting agencies. For example, [http://www.christianbiblecollege.org/statement.htm Christian Bible College] operates its own unaccredited accreditation authority, the American Accrediting Association of Theological Institutions Inc. (AAATI). Retrieved on 24 October 2015.</ref> Examples include:

*Accrediting Commission International, also known as the International Accrediting Organization, an accreditation mill associated with [[Patriot Bible University]].<ref>[https://accreditnow.com/accreditation/ Accreditation], accreditnow.com.{{quotebox|Accrediting Commission International is an international accrediting commission which holds as its primary objective the encouragement and maintenance of sound scholarship and the highest academic achievement in the areas of private education. Quality education is the goal at all times. Its purpose is the preparation of quality education in private schools, colleges, and theological seminaries. It is a non-governmental body and makes no claim to be connected with the government.}}</ref>
*American Accrediting Association of Theological Institutions (AAATI)<ref>[https://aaati.org/ American Accrediting Association of Theological Institutions] dismisses proper certification as unimportant:{{quotebox|For an institution to be accredited by a US Department Of Education recognized agency, there are extremely expensive conditions which have to met and complied with, including premium licensing fees, extensive regulations, and large brick and mortar facilities. Not to mention seeking said accreditation can open the door to ungodly values being forced upon the institution in order to retain their accreditation.

Our Member Institutions have found the proper balance between high standards and accountability and proper perspective on less important things.}}</ref>
*American Association for Higher Education and Accreditation<ref>[https://aahea.org/ American Association for Higher Education]. {{quotebox|Membership and accreditation are two totally different recognitions. Membership levels are for any type organization or institution, as Accreditation is a lengthy and detailed process that can take from a few months to two years or longer. Our accreditation process has been used by traditional schools as a preparation for traditional type accreditation. It is quite similar in content and rigor, and has been patterned to that of CHEA / DOE type guidelines.}}</ref>
*Association of Accredited Bible Schools<ref name=geteducated />
*Association of Independent Christian Colleges and Seminaries (AICCS)<ref>[https://www.aiccs.org/aiccs-disclaimer Association of Independent Christian Colleges & Seminaries – Disclaimer]. {{quotebox|Because of the AICCS Board of Directors’ convictions in support of religious freedom, Christian liberty, and the separation of church and state, AICCS has never applied for affiliation with any federal government agency. AICCS, therefore, is not recognized by the United States Department of Education. Credits earned at any AICCS-accredited institution are accepted by all other AICCS schools, but these credits are not automatically transferable to other colleges or seminaries.}}</ref>
*Distance and Online Universities Accreditation Council (DOUAC)<ref name=geteducated>[https://www.geteducated.com/college-degree-mills/204-fake-agencies-for-college-accreditation/ List of Accreditation Agencies Used By Fake Colleges], geteducated.com.</ref>
*International Higher Learning Commission<ref name=geteducated />
*National Association of Private Theological Institutions<ref>[http://www.napti.us/accreditation.htm NAPTI Accreditation.] napti.us. "This type of 'accreditation' is based upon peer evaluation...." At least they were honest enough to put the word in quotes. Retrieved on 27 December 2015.</ref>
*National Bible College Association<ref>[http://www.n-b-c-a.com/guidelines.htm National Bible College Association guidelines.] n-b-c-a.com. Retrieved on 13 October 2015. {{quotebox|The National Bible College Association is not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation is "a review by your peers" that ensures that you are offering a quality program. The U.S. Department of Education is not a peer of Christian Leadership University.}}</ref>
*National Private Schools Accreditation Alliance (NPSAA),<ref>[http://www.npsag.com/accreditation.php NPSAG Accreditation.] npsag.com. {{quotebox|NPSAG accreditation is a voluntary peer-review process which allows schools and colleges to demonstrate the integrity and quality of their education programs.}}</ref> claimed by known diploma mills, e.g. [[Hindu University of America]], as an accreditation authority

Like diploma mills, accreditation mills damage the reputation of distance learning and facilitate [[Charlatan|con artistry]].

==Religious exemption==
Religious colleges sometimes operate under a "religious exemption" whereby they are not required to obtain accreditation. 28 states, including [[Florida]], [[California]], and [[Maine]], have some form of religious exemption. The religious exemption is often used by schools and seminaries that focus on more [[woo|obscure religions]]. Examples of institutions operating under a religious exemption include:

*[[Andersonville Theological Seminary]], a [[Georgia]] seminary<ref>[https://andersonvilleseminary.com/academics/educational-affiliations/ Educational Affiliations.] andersonvilleseminary.com. Retrieved on 24 October 2015.</ref>
*[[Cherry Hill Seminary]], a [[Pagan]] seminary<ref>[http://cherryhillseminary.org/about/frequently-asked-questions/accreditation/ Cherry Hill Seminary, About Accreditation.] cherryhillseminary.org. Retrieved on 24 October 2015.</ref>
*[[College of Metaphysical Studies]], a [[New Thought]] institution that teaches [[homeopathy]] 
*International Institute for Holistic Arts and Sciences (IIHAS), "a pioneer in Metaphysical, Spiritual, [[New Age]], [[Holistic]] and Neo-Pagan education"<ref>[http://www.metaartsandsciences.org/iihas/default.html Notice to Educators and Concerned Citizens.] Retrieved on 24 October 2015. {{quotebox|Because Metaphysical Sciences is considered a "new emerging field of study" by federal and educational agencies, it does not qualify for traditional accreditation that universities like private and state universities, community colleges, and other secular institutions qualify for.}} </ref>
*[[International Metaphysical Ministry|University of Sedona]], self described as "the world's largest [[metaphysics|metaphysical]] university system<ref>Paul Leon Masters. [https://universityofsedona.com/accreditation/ Accreditation: Realities and Deceptions.] universityofsedona.com. Retrieved on 24 October 2015.</ref>
*Woolston-Steen Theological Seminary, a [[Wiccan]] seminary<ref>[http://wiccanseminary.edu/about-us-2/ Wiccan Seminary, About us.] wiccanseminary.edu, retrieved on 24 October 2015. {{quotebox|At this time Wicca does not have enough legal degree granting institutions to create an accrediting board. We hope that this will change in the future as more groups create Wiccan Institutions of Higher Education.}}</ref>

The religious exemption is often abused by diploma mills such as [[Patriot Bible University]].

==References==
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[[Category:Education]]

Categories: Education