Choosing a college can be a daunting task. One of the many things you need to decide is whether to attend a school that is nationally accredited or one that is regionally accredited. What’s the difference? And which type is better for you? Read on to find out.
What is Regional Accreditation?
Regional accreditation is a type of accreditation that educational institutions can choose to undergo in order to demonstrate success in meeting certain standards.
- Regional accreditation is typically seen as more prestigious than national or programmatic accreditation and is required for schools that wish to receive federal funding or participate in federal student aid programs.
- Regional accreditation is also generally necessary for students who want to transfer credits from one school to another. There are six regional accrediting bodies in the United States, each of which covers a different geographical region.
- Schools that undergo regional accreditation must go through a rigorous evaluation process and demonstrate ongoing success in order to maintain their accredited status. Regional accreditation is an important part of ensuring the quality of higher education in the United States.
What is National Accreditation?
- National accreditation is a type of quality assurance that evaluates services and programs to determine whether they meet certain standards. This type of accreditation is typically used for educational institutions, but can also be used for businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.
- National accreditation is usually conducted by an independent body that has been approved by the government or another authority. The process of national accreditation typically includes a review of the organization’s policies and procedures, as well as on-site visits to assess compliance with the standards.
- National accreditation can be a valuable way to ensure that an organization is providing high-quality services.
Difference between Regional and National Accreditation
Regional and national accreditation are two types of accreditation that are often used to evaluate colleges and universities.
- Regional accreditation is typically seen as more prestigious, and it is generally more difficult to obtain.
- Regional accreditation is also more important for schools that offer professional programs, such as engineering or medicine.
- National accreditation is less selective, and it is typically used for trade schools and other vocational programs.
- While both types of accreditation are important, most employers and graduate schools will give preference to candidates from schools with regional accreditation.
As a result, students who are considering transfer should make sure that their credits will be accepted by a school with the type of accreditation they need.
Conclusion
The main distinction is that regional accreditation is granted to schools and colleges that meet higher academic standards. These institutions typically offer a more comprehensive curriculum, as well as better faculty-to-student ratios. National accreditation is usually given to for-profit schools or programs, and it is less rigorous than regional accreditation. If you are looking for the best education possible, then you should seek out a school or college that has been accredited by a regional agency.
