“Accreditation” is review of the quality of higher education institutions and programs.
In the United States, accreditation is a major way that students, families, government officials, and the press know that an institution or program provides a quality education.
Whether a college, university, or program is accredited is important:
- Students who want federal (and sometimes state) grants and loans need to attend a college, university, or program that is accredited.
- Employers ask if a college, university, or program is accredited before deciding to provide tuition assistance to current employees, evaluating the credentials of new employees, or making a charitable contribution.
- The federal government requires that a college, university, or program be accredited in order to be eligible for federal grants and loans or other federal funds.
- State governments require that a college, university, or program be accredited when they make state funds available to students or institutions and when they allow students to sit for state licensure examinations in some professional fields.
Accreditation is a complicated subject.
The Role of CHEA
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is a national organization dedicated to advocating for academic quality through higher education accreditation. Representing degree-granting colleges and universities, CHEA focuses exclusively on accreditation and is recognized as a key national and international authority on the topic.
CHEA evaluates accrediting organizations to ensure their effectiveness in maintaining academic quality, supporting institutional autonomy, and promoting academic freedom. Additionally, it serves as a valuable resource for information, providing a forum for dialogue among accrediting bodies, institutions, and programs to uphold higher education standards.
What Does Accreditation Do?
Accreditation, as recognized by CHEA and the U.S. Department of Education (USDE), assures students, institutions, and employers that educational programs meet established quality standards. This recognition is critical for students’ access to federal financial aid and can be a requirement for professional credentials in specific fields.
Information about accredited institutions and programs is readily available through the CHEA and USDE databases, which serve as reliable public resources for determining accreditation status. Overall, CHEA plays a vital role in ensuring quality assurance, fostering trust in higher education, and supporting the independence and value of accreditation.