Accredited Doctorate - The Importance of Accreditation

Accreditation acts as a form of quality control in regard to higher education. By earning a degree from an accredited educational institution, individuals can rest assured that their degree will be recognized by employers and their academic achievement taken seriously. Furthermore, individuals can also be assured that their academic experience will be of the topmost merit. Individuals considering earning a PhD through distance learning will want to make certain that they choose an accredited doctorate program. Choosing an accredited program means that the online program has been evaluated using recognized educational standards, and it ensure that the educational institution is accountable for the academic experience it provides.

It is important that individuals considering enrollment in an online doctorate program understand the necessity of accreditation. Accreditation indicates than an educational institution is periodically reviewed by nongovernmental organizations. These private organizations are tasked with the responsibility of reviewing things such as admissions procedures, recruiting practices, course content and the faculty employed by the educational institution. The educational institution is not the only agency reviewed in the accreditation process. The accrediting bodies are also reviewed for quality by organizations such as the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as well as the U.S. Department of Education. Individuals can be confident in their accredited online doctorate program.

There are three major reasons accreditation is important: federal financial aid, credit transfer, and employment. In order to receive federal financial aid, usually in the form of student loans, individuals will need to enroll in an accredited doctorate program. Colleges and universities that have accreditation require that transfer credits come from another accredited educational institution. Credits earned through a non-accredited institution will most likely not be accepted by an accredited school. An individual's employment prospects can be hindered if they hold a degree from a non-accredited institution. The majority of employers prefer that their employees earn a degree from an accredited college or university, whether through a traditional or online program.