Some of the benefits of accreditation I have found for students are that the credits of classes they have taken are easier to transfer in from another accredited institution. Being accredited also gives students a feeling of ease when they are able to qualify for grants and scholarships through federal aid.
My experience has been that accredited schools have a much easier time working with companies that re-imburse their employees for continuing education.
Also, the transfer of credits to colleges and universities is a much easier process.
Being an accredited academic institution is more than funding; it is public perception and enrollment numbers.
Keep in mind - accrediting processes are completely voluntary to participate in, no one is forcing anyone to take federal monies. With federal monies comes even greater regulations.
many student now ask if we are national or regionally accredited. its good to know the difference!
Our reputation and the quality of the education our students receive is reflected I believe in some ways through our accreditation. I love it when a prospective student tells me they've done their homework and how important it is to them to attend an accredited school!
Employees, students and prospective students have the comfort of knowing that they are or may be associated with quality institution.
The comfort and credibility for both employees and prospective students that we strive to maintain a competitive standard in the marketplace. One that is measured and monitored.
Prospective students have more trust in our school simply because it is accredited. Accredidation brings a validity to schools.
I believe accreditation lends a degree of perceived legitimacy to the school brand and attracts increasing numbers of prospective students to its campus(es).
I agree with you point about asking yourself if you would refer the school you work for to your friends or family. Knowing that you work for an accredited institution gives you more confidence in your workplace.
Creating goals for self-improvement of weaker programs and stimulating a general raising of standards among educational institutions and assisting prospective students in identifying acceptable institutions.
Accreditation is a re-assurance to a student, about to make a significant financial and time investment, that their chosen institution is expected to meet certain criteria and standards. Increasing your knowledge is always beneficial, but if others don't recognize your credentials as valid they're certainly not going to contribute to the intended leverage of stepping into a career field that requires them.
Accreditation offers students a level of comfort and trust. Students feel if the school have met certian standards that their degree would be recognized by employers.
Employers prefer to send their employees to an accredited institution to get a quality education. Accreditation also provides students the assurance that the degree they earn is from a recognizable learning institution that has met the rigorous process of getting accredited.
Being accredited provides the student or potential student with a degree of assurance that the education they are receiving meets certain educational standards.
Another advantage of accreditation, would be that the student knows that the school, is upheld to some type of standards in order to maintain their accreditation.
I have found that many students ask this as a way to make sure they are attending a school that they consider "credible."
It puts students' minds at ease knowing the school has been evaluated and found to meet a standard and that those standards help to ensure they receive a quality education!
Our graduates know that they are getting tools that employers are looking for. They are aware that because of our standards and the accrediting body, that we need to meet the demands of the field that they are going into
We have also dealt with negative press about our Accreditation. It's very hard to turn around thoughts of those who hear that your institution is not accreditated. We spent a great deal of time trying to turn around our perception in the community and make people understand what it actually means.
