| In general terms, accreditation is the means | | | | candidates think that they are trustworthy |
| by which a school is officially recognized as | | | | and established. To avoid this conflict, be |
| a provider of a satisfactory education that | | | | sure to check whether or not an online school |
| public institutions (i.e. employers) can | | | | is accredited by one of the six major |
| trust. It is a voluntary process that | | | | regional accrediting agencies. These include |
| requires the school to meet minimum | | | | the New England Association of Schools and |
| requirements that are established by various | | | | Colleges (NEASC), North Central Association |
| regional accrediting agencies. | | | | of Schools and Colleges (NCA), Middle States |
| | | | Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA), |
| The lack of one official accrediting agency | | | | Southern Association of Schools and Colleges |
| creates an opportunity for sub par online | | | | (SACS), Western Association of Schools and |
| schools that are trying to obtain students | | | | Colleges (WASC), and the Northwest |
| through any means possible. In other words, | | | | Association of Schools and Colleges (NWCCU). |
| just about any organization can say that they | | | | |
| are an accrediting agency, so potential | | | | If your online school is accredited by one of |
| online school enrollers should do their | | | | the above agencies, your degree will be seen |
| research before signing up for classes at a | | | | as legitimate by most employers. However, if |
| particular online school. | | | | your online school is not accredited by one |
| | | | of the above agencies but by a false |
| Sadly, a number of online schools create | | | | accrediting agency, your degree may not be |
| false accrediting agencies in order to make | | | | acceptable to most employers. |