- Posted by Mara92754 on February 10, 2008
Having worked in the educational arena for the past ten years in admissions, careers services and currently in the education department, I have been often asked about college accreditation and what accreditation means when transferring credits from one school to another.
Accreditation
Every school of higher learning worth attending is governed by an accrediting board. Every prospective student as well as current student should understand the differences in the accrediting boards that govern the institution you are interested in attending or the institution you currently attend.
Community colleges, four year academic colleges, and many online colleges and universities are typically governed by eight regionally accrediting boards. The regional accrediting organizations are as follows:
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSCHE)
New England Association of Schools and Colleges-Commission and Institutions on Higher Education (NEASC-CIHE)
New England Association of Schools and Colleges-Commission on Technical and Career Institutions (NEASC-CTCI)
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools-The Higher Learning Commission (NCA-HLC)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges-Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (WASC-ACCJC)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges-Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities (WASC-ACSCU)
Many technical, career colleges, and distance education schools around the United States are typically governed by nationally accrediting boards and there are too many to list. You can check the accreditation for every school in the country at www.chea.org.
Many students want to know which accreditation is better and the answer is both are good it all depends on what type of education you are looking for, academic or trade. The important point is to make sure the school you want to attend is governed by an accrediting board and that the school is Title IV funded which means they accept government grants and loans.
Transfer Credits
Another frequently asked question is what credits will a college accept? The answer is the credits that are eligible for transfer is always up to the receiving institution. For instance; if you have earned credits from college A and are looking to transfer to college B, college B will decide which credits they will accept from college A. Previously earned college credits are evaluated by the receiving institution based on grade scores and course content. You must have earned a C or above for a college to accept previously earned credits. The receiving institution will compare the course content from courses earned at a previous institution to the similar course at their institution to determine transfer acceptance.
Usually, regionally accredited schools will accept previously earned credits from other regionally accredited schools however there may be exceptions. You should contact the admissions department regarding the schools policy for transfer before enrolling. Typically, nationally accredited schools will accept previously earned credits from both regionally and nationally accredited institutions, but again, always check with the school with which you are interested in enrolling.
It is important to do your research, ask questions, and be comfortable with the enrollment process before you commit to a particular school. Be proactive with the credits you have earned and those you will earn.