Attending an Accredited Online Master’s Program
Ivan A. Shibley, D.Ed.
Clinical Practicum Coordinator at The University of Scranton
George E. Jones
Assistant Director of Online Education Programs at The University of Scranton
The popularity of online master’s programs continues to grow – for many reasons. Students who wish to advance their careers can choose from a wide variety of programs from schools where on-campus attendance is not necessary. Online education programs also offer flexibility for busy, working students to participate in classes at their own pace and as their schedules permit.
When exploring your options for master’s programs online, be sure to verify the institution’s accreditation – it’s your assurance that the college or university is maintaining quality standards.
Why Is an Accredited Degree Important?
You’re going to work hard for your master’s degree. So, you’ll want to be absolutely sure that it’s awarded by a respected, accredited institution. Here’s why accreditation is important:
- Accreditation demonstrates that the college or university’s educational programs meet the standards of quality determined by the accrediting organization.
- Many federal and state financial aid programs are available only to students attending an accredited school.
- Accredited institutions will accept credits only from other accredited institutions. This becomes important when transferring to another university or applying to a graduate program.
- You’ll want every advantage when competing against other job candidates. A degree from an accredited university can make the difference.
Employers know which colleges and universities are accredited – and which are in the business of churning out graduates without quality instruction to back up their degrees. When your resume includes a master’s degree from an accredited college or university, you will instantly stand out from the crowd.
Reviewing and Approving Schools for Accreditation
Did you know that accreditation is voluntary? To obtain accreditation, an educational institution, program or department submits to an independent review by the accrediting agency.
Four Steps in the Accrediting Process
- The accrediting agency, in collaboration with educational institutions, establishes a set of standards.
- The accreditation-seeking institution or program undergoes a comprehensive self-evaluation, measuring its performance against the standards.
- The accrediting agency’s evaluation team visits the institution to determine whether or not its standards have been met.
- Finally, after the accrediting agency is satisfied that the institution or program meets or exceeds its standards, it grants accreditation status and lists the institution or program in an official publication.
Once accreditation is achieved, an institution must maintain it by adhering to the standards set by the accrediting agency, which monitors each institution or program throughout the period of accreditation. The institution or program is also re-evaluated to determine whether its accreditation status is still warranted.
Legitimate Accreditation Bodies
Accreditation in the United States arose because of the independent nature of postsecondary educational institutions. To assist students in evaluating the quality of an educational institution or program, private regional and national educational associations adopted standards and criteria that reflect the qualities of a thorough educational program. They then developed procedures to evaluate the institutions or programs to determine whether or not they are operating at basic levels of quality.
The U.S. Department of Education does not accredit educational institutions or programs. Rather, private regional and national educational organizations have taken on the job of accrediting U.S. educational institutions and programs. However, the Secretary of Education publishes a list of recognized accrediting agencies. Acceptance to the list means that the agency has been determined to be a reliable authority regarding the quality of education provided by the institutions or programs they accredit.
Avoid Degree Mills By Choosing an Accredited University
If you wish to obtain a high quality education that reflects your hard work and is respected by potential employers, you should avoid degree mills. These operations range in scope from completely fraudulent businesses to substandard schools that issue degrees with little or no serious work required of the student. Such degrees can be very expensive to the student, but worth little when it comes to career advancement.
In many states, candidates with degrees from degree mills are ineligible for public or licensed occupations. Additionally, credits offered by degree mills are usually not transferable for students seeking advanced degrees.
Are You Interested in Attending an Accredited Master’s Program Online?
When seeking to advance your education through a master’s degree online program, be sure to scrutinize an institution’s accreditation. When you enroll in an accredited master’s program, the education you’ll receive meets standards of quality. Plus, you’ll be eligible for more financial aid programs, your credits will more likely transfer to other regionally accredited schools, and you’ll be assured of receiving a master’s degree that commands the respect you deserve.
