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Accreditation can be pretty confusing, particularly as it applied to online colleges and universities. And, sometimes accreditation is confused with state licensure, which is not the same thing at all.

To be accredited, a school, traditional college, or online college has to meet fairly rigorous standards of quality. State licensure, on the other hand, generally requires an institution to meet only the most minimal standards. Thus, a warning flag should be raised when a college emphasizes licensure in lieu of regional accreditation.

It is also important to understand that some colleges and universities...most often online colleges and universities...claim accreditation from agencies which are not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Although a few unrecognized agencies may make an honest attempt to evaluate colleges, accreditation by such organizations is effectively meaningless as far as most employers and accredited colleges are concerned.

For example, in their help wanted announcements, schools, colleges, and universities virtually always require that applicants hold degrees from institutions accredited by U.S. Department of Education recognized agencies.

Most colleges and universities will not award students transfer credit for coursework completed at institutions not accredited by a recognized accrediting agency. The reality is that most colleges, universities, businesses, government agencies (and prospective employers of all kinds) will regard a college or university as unaccredited if it is not accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.

Of course, students who want a degree only for personal satisfaction may initially not think accreditation is of much importance. But, if they reconsider, even those students should want to earn a degree that is viewed as a valuable credential; a degree that demonstrates that they have completed a rigorous academic program; a degree from a college or university that has proven that it meets the highest educational standards. That is why students should always find out which agency accredits a college they are considering, and go to the U.S. Department of Education website to be sure that the agency is government recognized.

Accreditation will not guarantee that you will be completely satisfied with a particular college or degree program. But, it does mean that some standards of quality are in place, that you may be able to transfer credits if you are so inclined, and that most employers will recognize the validity of your coursework and/or degree. In addition, appropriate coursework or an appropriate degree from an accredited institution of higher education can help qualify you for admission to other degree programs.