When looking into what college or university you want to attend, one of the biggest influencers of your decision should be whether or not the institution in question is accredited. In the case of any sort of change, we will be sure to notify our students far in advance. In 2014, University of the People received national accreditation by the DEAC. Regional accreditation is more widely respected by the academic elite, employers, and the various magazines and websites that rank organizations in the education industry. Let’s put aside regional versus national for just a second and look at what accreditation is in general. According to WASC’s formal message, the process of getting their accreditation can take up to 5 years until we receive a response. It is meant to assure the public that an institution has met high standards of quality and effectiveness. Sponsored6 Programs Available . Posted Mar 1, 2013. newnurse012. A determination of Eligibility is not a formal status with the WASC Senior College and University Commission, nor does it ensure eventual accreditation. Instead, there are three: institutional, regional and national. Do Employers Care About GPA? Regional and national accredited colleges both have their pros and cons, so it’s essential to consider all options before making an informed choice. "My degree has already helped me in getting a great job at IBM. National accreditation is most often sought by colleges and educational programs that have academic programs focused on specific careers, vocations, and trades. U.S. National accreditation has nothing to do with location. ", "By studying at UoPeople, I have more control over my schedule. Regional Vs National Accreditation. There are the professional credentials of the professors. Nationally-accredited institutions are generally held to a different, less stringent, set of standards regarding faculty and institutional resources. Regional accreditation is the educational accreditation of schools, colleges, and universities in the United States by one of seven regional accrediting agencies. First, they prefer regional accreditation because the schools' credits are more portable; they are more widely accepted by other schools when students wish to transfer or to continue their education at another educational institution. Regional Accreditation: An Overview. The main difference between regional and national accreditation is that regionally accredited institutions are more commonly accepted and easily transferable than nationally accredited programs. Nurses Nursing. UoPeople is registered with and permitted to operate as an online university in all US states. Because of the specialized nature of the degree earned and the curriculum at these institutions, it is hard to compare with traditional degree programs. ", "In the age of information technology and innovation, University of the People is showing us the way". There's academic rigor. Many students find the term "accreditation" confusing. Each organization focuses on a specific region in the United States, hence the name regional accreditation. National accreditation agencies are more focused on providing accreditation for a variety of degrees and certifications. National accreditation is most often sought by colleges and educational programs that have academic programs focused on specific careers, vocations, and trades. Different Accreditation Types. Regional vs. National Accreditation. Many colleges that cater to non-traditional students seek national accreditation. The BPPE establishes and enforces standards for California institutions and protects consumers. Earning credits in college is like getting points in a game. (2011). College Accreditation - Regional vs National Accreditation: A Guide. WSCUC has reviewed the application and determined that the institution is eligible to proceed with an Application for Accreditation. Regional accreditation is granted to each institution by one of six organizations that focus mainly on academia and research-related areas of study. Military Education. Considered the most prestigious and widely-recognized type of accreditation, regionally-accredited schools are reviewed by their designated regional agency. University of the People has applied for Eligibility from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Your Questions Answered. We exist to open the gates to higher education no matter where you’re from, what’s your background, or what you own. Not all accrediting agencies are considered equally reliable. Because this “stamp of approval” reflects the high quality of our institution, this was a huge milestone for us. Learn about our people, get the latest news, and much more. When it comes to choosing a college, you've got a lot to consider. The fact that the primary accreditors of higher education institutions are called "regional" or "national" accrediting bodies suggests that the institutions they … When choosing which school to attend, it's important to find a college or university that is accredited. Programmatic or specialized accreditation is a status given to a specific program, department or school within a larger educational body. In fact, for most students and most situations, regional accreditation is better than national accreditation. For more information about ECPI University or any of our programs click here: http://www.ecpi.edu/ or http://ow.ly/Ca1ya. Copyright © 2021East Coast Polytechnic Institute™All Rights Reserved, Cyber and Information Security Technology, Systems Engineering Master's - Mechatronics, Electronic Systems Engineering Technology, 2.5 Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Operations, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management, Management Master's - Homeland Security Management, Management Master's - Human Resources Management, Management Master's - Organizational Leadership, rank organizations in the education industry, contact the admissions professionals at ECPI University, What Our Students Say About the Faculty at ECPI University. Additional accreditation only strengthens the validity and transferability of our courses and degree programs. Students ADN/BSN. There's the quality of the curriculum. • Regional accreditation of a university is based upon location while national accreditation is not region specific, and there is nothing to suggest that national universities are any better or more important than regional universities. Each of the regional accrediting agencies evaluates the applicant school to ensure that it meets standards created to ensure quality. schools. Questions about Eligibility may be directed to the institution or to WSCUC at https://www.wscuc.org/contact or (510) 748-9001. In general, the more accreditation, licenses, and approvals a college or university has—both for the overall academic institution and its specific programs—the better the quality of its education. The ECPI University website is published for informational purposes only. Where accreditation gets a little confusing is when it comes to deciding which type—regional or national—is more important. The standards for national accreditation are less rigorous than regional accreditation, and national accreditation is considerably less useful when transferring schools.