Accreditation of the institution and its programs becomes an important issue  when you choose to continue your education. If you seek an advanced degree, such as a MSN, or want to transfer credit from one institution to another, it is important to understand how each institution has gained accreditation.  Employers  also may look at the accreditation status of your college degree.

Institutional accrediting bodies review information about the college which may include: educational activities, financial stability, admissions and student personnel services, institutional resources (library, technology, lab facilities), academic achievement of students, governance and administration.

Specialized accreditation agencies review schools or programs within the institution such as nursing, physical therapy, psychology, teacher education, engineering, etc.

Colleges generally list their institutional accreditations at the front of their catalogs and the specialized accreditations are  listed at the beginning of the program description.

The Higher Learning Commission was founded in 1895 and continues to set a high standard for education throughout the nation.  To look up a college’s accreditation status, you may check their website at www.nchlc.org. 

If you are planning to begin your college education at one institution and then transfer to another, you would be wise to check the accreditation admission requirements of the institution you plan to transfer to.  Programs and colleges can include specific accreditation requirements as part of their admission requirements.