Accreditation Beware!

Imagine this...

Annie just completed a 9 month long Medical Assisting program that cost her $15,000 in tuition. She goes to apply for an exam and certificate, only to be DENIED! She is told that the school she attended didn't have the right accreditation.

Tom completed a bachelor's degree through an online college. However, when he applies to a master's program at a state college, they won't accept his credits/degree because the online school has the wrong accreditation. How did this happen to Annie and Tom?  

What is Accreditation? 

Schools voluntarily become accredited to gain desired credentials. They are accredited by a third-party and must conform to certain standards and curriculum.

Why Should I Care?

There are many types of accreditation. Just because a school says it is "accredited" on their website, doesn't mean it really is, or that it has the right kind of accreditation. Before you choose a college or a program, make sure to do some research on their credentials to save yourself a lot of heartache!


How to Check Accreditation:

Let's take a look at Annie again. Medical Assistants are licensed nationally through the AAMA. On their website it says that: "Graduates of medical assisting programs accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES are eligible to take the Certification Exam." It then provides a way to search for an approved program. Annie could have used this to find an accredited school. She could also verify this information by checking with other schools.

For Tom, he should have looked into the online school's accreditation to make sure his credits/degree would transfer later. Let's imagine he decides to get his master's degree in counseling in Idaho. By going to the state licensing board's website (click here), he would see approved schools and would be able to discuss his undergraduate plans in advance and know what accreditation they accept.

Finally, there's Holly. She wants to be a Radiology Technician. When she searched for schools online there were a variety of choices. Holly does the right thing and goes online to her state's licensing board (click here) for medical imaging and finds a list of accredited schools. Now she can pursue her education knowing that she made the right choice.

I hope you found these tips helpful. Good luck!

Exploring Your College Options

There are many options available now for furthering your education. By exploring your college options, you can find the right fit for you.

• Colleges may be either two-year or four-year. 
• Two-year colleges lead to a certificate or an associate degree. They include community college, technical-vocational, and career college.  
• Four-year colleges lead to a associate and bachelor's degree. 
• Universities are larger, four-year schools. They offer more majors and lead to bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees.

College Specific Information:

• Vocational, technical, and career colleges prepare students for a specific career in as little as 9 months. Programs include: medical assisting, dental assisting, culinary arts, information technology, paralegal, cosmetology, and more.
• Credits earned at technical-vocational or career colleges may not transfer to other colleges, should you decide to pursue additional education later in the future.
• There are colleges/universities that specialize in art, music, theater, or religious studies.
• Private colleges may sometimes be connected to a religious faith. However, they may allow students to attend who do not practice the same religion, as long as they show respect for the beliefs and follow their honor code.
• Students can now complete some, if not all, of their education online. Online degree programs are available through regular "brick and mortar" colleges/universities and through online-only schools. However, make sure the school you choose has the proper accreditation. Remember, just because a school says it is accredited doesn't mean that it really is, or that it has the right accreditation! Be sure to check with your state licensing board. Read more about accreditation precautions here.      
• More colleges and universities are offering Adult Degree Programs, where you can finish your bachelor's degree in as little as 16 months. These typically are designed for busy adults who meet once a week in the evenings or can be completed online. 

What is the Difference in Tuition Among Schools?

• Public colleges (such as community colleges and state colleges) are funded by local and state governments and typically offer lower tuition than private colleges. 
• Colleges typically offer lower tuition rates for students who are in-state residents. 
• Technical-vocational or career college may have higher tuition costs than a community college. 
• Tuition for an Adult Degree Program is less than the regular tuition rate at the same college or university.