Understanding Accreditation in the United States: Beyond American Board of Higher Education Commission and CHEA

In addition to American Board of Higher Education Commission and CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation), which is a prominent organization that recognizes accrediting agencies in the United States, there are several other key accrediting bodies and associations that play significant roles in accreditation:

1. Regional Accrediting Agencies:

These are organizations that accredit institutions within specific geographic regions of the United States. They include:

  -Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
  -New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  -Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  -Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
  -Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  -WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Each of these agencies accredits colleges and universities within their respective regions.

2. Programmatic Accreditation Agencies:

These agencies focus on accrediting specific programs or professional schools within institutions. Examples include:

  -Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET): Accredits programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology.
  -Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE): Accredits baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs.
  -Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB): Accredits business schools.

3. Specialized Accrediting Agencies:

These agencies accredit institutions that offer specialized education or training in particular fields, such as:

  -American Bar Association (ABA): Accredits law schools.
  -American Psychological Association (APA): Accredits psychology programs.
  -National Association of Schools of Music (NASM): Accredits music programs.

4. National Accreditation Agencies:

These agencies accredit specific types of institutions or programs that do not fall under regional accreditation. Examples include:

  -Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC): Accredits online and distance education programs.
  -Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS): Historically accredited career-oriented colleges.

5. Distance Learning and Membership Bodies:

  -United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA): Provides membership-based recognition and sets quality standards for distance learning institutions. It partners with schools to promote best practices in online education under initiatives like the Learning Anytime Anywhere Partnerships (LAAP) by the U.S. Department of Education.
  -Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) : Ensures quality assurance for distance learning programs.

Regulatory and Oversight Bodies

  1. Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) – Recognizes accrediting bodies and ensures institutions meet quality benchmarks. It supports campus-based and for-profit organizations.
  2. U.S. Department of Education (USDE) – Oversees federal funding eligibility for institutions through recognized accreditors.

These accrediting bodies ensure that institutions and programs meet certain standards of quality and provide credible education to students. It's important for students and institutions alike to recognize accreditation from reputable agencies to ensure the value and recognition of their education and degrees.