1.The United States Federal Government does not accredit universities.
This might be one of the biggest shocks that may confuse prospective students who are looking for the right college to attend. It true though. The United States (US) government has no control over what school gets accredited and which one does not. This is left up to other organizations that are made up of peers and colleagues within the educational division. While the US Department of Education doesn’t accredit colleges and universities, it will recognize the organizations that they believe to be legitimate accrediting bureaus. Also, colleges and universities need to be regionally or nationally accredited in order to receive federal aid. If you’re considering an educational institution that does not require you to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Form (FAFSA), then it’s recommended you consider a university that does.
2.Being regionally accredited is much more prestigious.
You really can’t go wrong by choosing a regionally or nationally accredited university, but you should know the difference between the two. Many people may think that a national accreditation holds much more prestige. While regional accreditations are just that, they are widely recognized within their area. Furthermore, regional accrediting organizations can transfer their students’ credits to other educational institutions.
While nationally accredited universities will gladly accept credits from other schools, regionally accredited institutions will not. You can say that stricter standards are set for regionally accredited colleges. These universities may not accept every college transfer simply because not every nationally accredited institution shares the same accrediting standards. On the other hand, regionally accredited universities are more accepting to one another’s college credits because they typically share the same academic standards.
3.Accredited universities will have an “.edu” web address.
If you’re applying to a college with a “.org” address, that may be a sure sign that they are not an accredited institution. Enrolling in such a college cannot guarantee a top quality education because they’re not held accountable. They can build their lesson plans to be anything they want them to be without peer review or approval. Certain crucial lessons could be left out of a degree program that is a necessary skillset to learn in the professional workforce. In the end, the choice is yours, but if you’re looking for an accredited university, the “.edu” web address is going to be the first sign of accreditation.
4.Widely known universities are typically accredited.
Another obvious sign of an accredited university is its popular status. If a school is well known, that means that it’s probably been around long enough to establish some notability. These kinds of colleges are typically large universities with oversized classrooms, something that’s not so appealing for non-traditional students. Nonetheless, popularity is one of the signs of an accredited school.
If you’re searching for the best college in the state of Florida that will be the perfect fit for you, then you first need to determine exactly where you wouldn’t mind living for the next 4-5 years and then zero in on that—preferably regionally accredited institutions.
Many students gravitate toward the South Florida area because of its rich fusion of culture and food. When it comes to searching for a regionally accredited university, you find that these institutions are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
5.Why Does Accreditation Matter Anyway?
When you graduate with a college degree, you want to graduate with college credits that count toward something. You want the type of education where the courses you’ve taken to earn your degree matter, where the years you’ve spent passing courses will help you qualify for certifications and can transfer to other universities in case you’re ever interested in continuing your education to pursue a higher degree. Most importantly, you want to be eligible to receive every type of financial funding to help further your education.
How an Accredited Degree Will Help in the Job Market
Many companies are already aware of which kinds of universities are accredited and which ones aren’t. When you’re up against other applicants that have graduated from an accredited institution, it will most likely weigh in that person’s favor. Having graduated from an accredited university shows that you have earn a degree from an educational institution that has met the academic standards of agencies that have been approved by the United States Department of Education.
The last thing you want is to be stuck with a degree that no employer will bother to acknowledge. While you may have earned a degree, the fact that it’s from a non-accredited school may not get as much respect. In the end, you could be left with a heaping loan that you might have trouble paying back if you haven’t found your dream job.
Bet on a Sure Thing!
To be completely honest, it’s a gamble to earn a degree from a non-accredited college. While there are some success stories, Florida National University (FNU) doesn’t recommend that you gamble with your future to see if you might be one of them. Make the right choice and bet on a sure thing! Browse FNU’s online curriculum of degrees and distance learning programs here.
Contact an FNU advisor to learn how you can start the admissions process and get started toward earning your college degree from a regionally accredited educational institution. We’ll help you determine if you qualify for federal loans, grants, and scholarships. Call us today at any of our campus locations.
