Category: Feature Stories

Accreditation: National vs Regional Comparison

Accreditation: National vs Regional Comparison

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The information in this article is out-of-date as of July 2020.

Let’s look at the difference between national vs. regional accreditation.

There are two primary types of accreditation: national accreditation and regional accreditation. National accreditation may sound more prestigious, but in reality this is not the case. In fact, the difference between a regionally accredited and nationally accredited school has less to do with the quality of the education and more to do with the recognition and type of education you receive.

Here is a brief side-by-side comparison of the two types of accreditation:

Regional Accreditation National Accreditation
More liberal arts courses required, leading to a more well-rounded education Fewer liberal arts courses required for a more specialized education
Generally viewed as more prestigious and reputable in both academia and corporate America Not regarded as highly by the academic and corporate worlds
Transfer credits widely accepted by other institutions and professional licensing bodies Transfer credits not typically accepted by other institutions and professional lincensing bodies
Higher admissions standards; more selective acceptance Less competitive; easier to get in
Typically more expensive Typically cheaper
Prime candidates for corporate tuition reimbursement programs Often excluded from corporate tuition reimbursement programs
Offers almost exclusively professor-led courses More likely to have self-study courses

Regionally accredited schools are typically traditional colleges and universities with one or more physical campuses, while nationally accredited schools are generally vocational, trade, or religious institutions of higher learning.

Regional Accreditation

Regional accreditation traces its roots to 1885 and its importance has grown exponentially, now leading the development of higher education in the U.S. and protecting the integrity of the learning process and outcomes, and the interest of students in a diversity-driven higher education environment (cihe.neasc.org).

There are six regional accreditation bodies in the United States: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges (NASC), North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS), New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), and Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools (MSACS) (Bray, 2013).

The University of Louisville is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, bachelor, master, specialist, doctoral, and first-professional degrees (D.M.D., J.D., M.D.). See online programs available at UofL.

You can see in the image below which accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA.org) accredits which region and its specific states.(elearners.com)regional accrediting bodies map

While each of the six regional accreditation bodies has its own set of rules and standards for granting accreditation, the requirements are largely similar if not identical. The standards imposed by regional accreditation bodies often revolve around the central rule of having a mission and purpose that is appropriate for higher learning. All other guidelines, such as having a planning and evaluation process for improvement, obtaining and retaining skilled faculty, having physical resources like a library and technological equipment, and having sufficient financial resources, are in place to ensure that the institution will be able to provide its students with a quality education (NEASC, 2011) (SACSCOC, 2012).

Because of the high standards set by regional accreditation bodies, the academic world and the corporate world largely consider regionally accredited schools to be the premiere institutions of higher learning. This means that a regionally accredited school is generally more prestigious and reputable and more competitive with higher admission standards than a nationally accredited school (Phillips).

One of the most important differences between regionally and nationally accredited schools is the ability to transfer credits from different schools. Because all regionally accredited schools are held to very similar standards, they know that students who have attended a different school which is regionally accredited have received a quality education. This is why regionally accredited schools will generally accept credits transferred from another regionally accredited school and put it towards the transferring student’s degree. (Phillips).

Most regionally accredited colleges’ curricula call for more liberal arts courses to fulfill graduation requirements, thus providing a wide range of knowledge and better preparation for various career paths and life-long learning. Whether delivered on campus or online, nearly all courses at a regionally accredited institution are led by instructors, adjuncts or tenured professors. Very few self-study courses are offered (Phillips).

National Accreditation

Nationally accredited institutions generally focus on providing specific instruction for a specialized career and place more emphasis on practical courses rather than a well-rounded curriculum (Phillips). Although nationally accredited schools are often cheaper than regionally accredited schools, they are sometimes excluded from corporate tuition reimbursement programs, unlike regionally accredited schools (Phillips).

Another issue to consider is whether a degree from a nationally accredited institution will be accepted by professional licensing bodies or other higher learning institutions. Many careers require licensing after earning a degree. Students who graduate from nationally accredited schools are often not accepted to take licensing exams (Howell). As mentioned, courses from nationally accredited schools are typically not accepted for transfer credit to other institutions; additionally, in many cases a regionally accredited school will not recognize a degree from a nationally accredited school, preventing students from pursuing a second degree from a regionally accredited school (Phillips).

As evidenced, the effects of accreditation reach far beyond the classroom and can affect a student’s personal and professional life. Choosing the wrong education can cost money and time, both of which are precious commodities for college students. The differences in the level of education obtained from schools with regional vs national accreditation should be more than enough to motivate prospective students to thoroughly research their school selections and weigh their educational options prior to enrollment.

Students or graduates of professional degrees (e.g., engineering, law) earned from nationally or non-regionally accredited institutions may encounter the issue of courses/credits not being accepted for professional licensure — most often, professional licensing bodies will not accept nationally accredited degrees.

If a student has questions on the accreditation of a particular school, they should speak with an enrollment advisor to ensure the school of their choice carries proper accreditation to be a good match for their future personal and career goals.

The University of Louisville is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, bachelor, master, specialist, doctoral, and first-professional degrees (D.M.D., J.D., M.D.). See online programs available at UofL.

To learn more about what it means for an institution or program to be non-accredited, see our article “Does it Matter if my School is Accredited?”

References

Bray, K. (2013). College Accreditation – Regional vs National Accreditation. Elearners. 

New England Association of Schools and Colleges. U.S. Regional Accreditation: An Overview. 

Howell, T. Why You Should Care About Accreditation. Military Education. 

New England Association of Schools and Colleges, NEASC. (2011). Standards for Accreditation. 

Phillips, V. (n.d.). Regionally Accredited Online Colleges vs. Nationally Accredited. Get Educated. 

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, SACSCOC. (2012). 

[Untitled image of regional accreditation bodies territories] Retrieved August 1, 2014 from: http://www.elearners.com/online-education-resources/degrees-and-programs/regional-accreditation-vs-national-accreditation/

Accreditation: Does it Matter if my School of Choice is Not Accredited?

Accreditation: Does it Matter if my School of Choice is Not Accredited?

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There is little doubt that choosing a college can be overwhelming even for the savviest of us. Concerns about tuition, location, programs offered, and one thousand and one other things swirl around in your head as you try to make your way toward a decision. Still, there is one important item, often overlooked or not entirely understood, that you should have on your checklist when considering which institution is best for you, and that is accreditation. So, YES!, accreditation really matters.

You don’t hear people talking too often about accreditation when discussing which college to attend; however, whether a college is accredited and the type of accreditation it holds have some of the most important implications of any criteria used in the school selection process.

Receiving and maintaining a certain type of accreditation means that the institution has gone through a thorough process of evaluation at all institutional levels and meets specific quality standards and criteria to ensure that students are receiving the intended education, as laid out by the accrediting body. Attending a school that is not accredited at all can mean leaving your education and your future up to chance. Schools that are not accredited are held to few or no standards or regulations.

Not all schools applying for regional or national accreditation meet the criteria to receive such accreditation. Some schools are not accredited because they are new and may be in the process of applying for accreditation. It is recommended that you thoroughly investigate before enrolling in a non-accredited school – call and ask if the institution is undergoing this process and when it expects to obtain accreditation – then decide whether you are still interested in attending (wiche.edu).

Before signing your admission application to a non-accredited college, here are a few things to consider in your decision-making process:

Credit transfer: Credits from a non-accredited institution will not be accepted for transfer to a regionally accredited school because non-accredited schools are not held to the same standard as regionally accredited schools (studentaid.ed.gov).

Cost (time/money): Earning a degree or certificate is hard work; it can take months or years to complete and often comes with a large financial investment. Getting a degree from a program that is not accredited can set a student back years and cost thousands of dollars, especially if that student goes on to work in a field that requires licensure and continuous professional development. This is by far the most serious of the potential consequences of attending a non-accredited institution.

Financial aid: Attending a non-accredited school also means that students will be ineligible for any government or military financial aid for tuition costs (studentaid.ed.gov). That can lead to large out-of-pocket expenses for the duration of the program and many years beyond completion.

Employment: Attending a non-accredited institution will make it much harder to use your degree to find a job after graduation (worldwidelearn.com). The job market today is more competitive than ever, and having a degree from a non-accredited school will put you behind everyone who has earned a degree from an accredited school. There is a general perception that schools that meet accreditation standards produce better professionals who can become great candidates for their jobs. Employing someone with a degree from a school that is not held to any academic standards is a risky and potentially costly move. Employers generally know what they are getting when they hire someone who has graduated from an accredited school because the rules and metrics that must be met to obtain accreditation align with educational standards in higher education and across specific fields and industries.

Licensing: Depending on your field of study, it may be preferred or required to attend a school with an accredited program. Fields which call for taking a test and becoming licensed after earning your degree often require that you graduate not only from an accredited school, but also from an accredited program (Phillips, geteducated.com). Specialized accreditation indicates that a specific degree program (i.e. nursing, accounting) at a school lives up to certain standards of that field (Phillips, geteducated.com). Having a specialized accreditation does not give accreditation to the other programs in the college; however, having a program with specialized accreditation typically suggests that the entire school is accredited (wascsenior.org).

To avoid issues like these, future students should do extensive research on their schools of interest before they enroll, or better yet, ask an enrollment advisor whether the institution of their choice is accredited and what type of accreditation the institution has received or will receive.

The University of Louisville is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, bachelor, master, specialist, doctoral, and first-professional degrees (D.M.D., J.D., M.D.). See online programs available at UofL.

To learn more about types of accreditation for institutions, see our article comparing regional and national accreditation.

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References

Phillips, V. (n.d.). What is Online College or University Accreditation? Get Educated. Retrieved from http://www.geteducated.com/college-degree-mills/203-what-is-online-college-accreditation

Things to Consider. Federal Student Aid. Retrieved from https://studentaid.ed.gov/prepare-for-college/choosing-schools/consider

Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Regional Accreditation. Retrieved from http://www.wascsenior.org/about/regionalaccreditation

Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, WISCH (2010). Online Learning. Retrieved from http://www.wiche.edu/knowledge/14295

Why You Should Choose an Accredited College Degree. World Wide Learn. Retrieved from http://www.worldwidelearn.com/accreditation/importance-accreditation.htm

RN-to-BSN Program’s Revised Curriculum Results in Cost Savings

RN-to-BSN Program’s Revised Curriculum Results in Cost Savings

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Saving future nursing students nearly $5,000 is one benefit of the University of Louisville School of Nursing’s revamped RN-to-BSN online program that reflects the evolving nature of health care. Some courses have been restructured and others, such as population health and nursing leadership and health policy, are new to the program.

“In Kentucky, only 33 percent of the nursing workforce is baccalaureate-prepared. The Institute of Medicine has recommended that 80 percent of nurses receive a bachelor’s degree by the year 2020,”said Marcia J. Hern, Ed.D., CNS, RN, dean, UofL School of Nursing. “It is well documented that baccalaureate–prepared nurses have decreased patient deaths and better outcomes in caring for patients with complex diseases.”

The online RN-to-BSN program provides a flexible, cost-effective opportunity for nurses with an associate’s degree or a nursing diploma to earn a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing at their own pace. Students can finish the program in as few as 16 months, although they may take more time if needed.

Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the RN-to-BSN program requires 31 core credits plus 30 portfolio credits. The portfolio consists of a resume, goal statement, professional development documentation, and other materials to support practice as a professional nurse. These 30 tuition-free credit hours count toward graduation requirements – a value of more than $14,000 in tuition costs.

“The affordability and convenience of the online education platform combined with the strong support of award-winning faculty and access to all university support services makes the online RN-to-BSN program ideal for nurses seeking a baccalaureate degree,” Hern said.

There’s still time to apply for this summer! In addition, July 1 is the application deadline for fall classes, along with December 1 for spring classes.

Learn more about UofL’s 100% online RN-to-BSN program here.

Financial Aid: Getting Started Guide

Financial Aid: Getting Started Guide

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We know the cost of education is one of the most important considerations when deciding where to pursue a degree. The University of Louisville is committed to ensuring you’re knowledgeable about all of your financial aid options. That’s why the university created Start to Finish, a collection of all the information you’ll need to simplify the financial aid process and make earning a degree affordable for your family.

The information below answers some of the basic questions about financial aid, but you can always visit our website to learn more about online tuition and financial aid.

Eligibility Requirements

General eligibility requirements for Federal Student Aid include:

  • Must be admitted to the college and enrolled in a degree-granting program (visiting students and students in non-degree/graduate certificate programs are not eligible)
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident
  • Must be enrolled at least half time (for loans and state grant aid)
  • Must not be in default on any prior student loan or owe a refund on a federal grant
  • Must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year

FAFSA Submission

The cornerstone of the financial aid process is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Complete the FAFSA online to determine your eligibility for need-based federal student aid. The UofL school code you’ll need when filing the FAFSA is 001999.

Please note that international students are not eligible for federal financial aid, with some exceptions. To learn more about eligibility for international students, visit the U.S. Department of Education website.

To complete the FAFSA, make sure to have ready all of the following:

  • Social Security Number
  • Driver’s license number (if applicable)
  • Alien Registration Number (if not a U.S. citizen)
  • W-2 forms and other 2012 records of money earned
  • Federal income tax return (use estimates if not yet completed)
  • Information on savings & investments, and records of untaxed income

Note: Dependent students must provide all information for self and parents.
Independent students must provide all information for self and spouse, if married.

Application Verification

After the FAFSA has been submitted, the Financial Aid Office may contact the student if additional information is required for verification. The FAFSA is the application for all federal and state grants. Should a student require student loans, the FAFSA is the application for the Federal Stafford Loan Program as well.

Other tuition payment options

Applying for federal aid is a great option for tuition payment. However, there are several other options for covering the cost of earning a degree:

  • Military benefits. Visit http://louisville.edu/veterans or contact Carissa Gentry.
  • Employer tuition assistance. Ask your employer if this benefit is available.
  • Convenient payment plans. Make several payments throughout the semester.
  • If you attend KCTCS or Ivy Tech Community College (Sellersburg, IN), you may qualify for the Academic Transfer Scholarship. Visit the transfer services website for details.
  • You might also qualify for the Go Higher Grant, a need-based grant awarded to Kentucky residents age 24 or older. Visit the Go Higher Grant web site for application details and qualifications.
    • Other grant opportunities can be found at https://louisville.edu/financialaid/grants. This includes federal and state grant programs, designated to students working towards a first bachelor’s degree (eligibility based on FAFSA and school information).
  • Department Aid. Check with your program about additional scholarship opportunities.

UofL’s Office of Student Financial Aid is available to answer any questions you have about the financial aid process. Visit the financial aid web page or contact a financial aid counselor at 502.852.5511.

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