Accreditation

by Jessica Holloway

It is no secret that online colleges are quickly becoming the educational format of choice for adult learners wanting to go back to school while working or caring for families.

But there are some schools out there that are not offering degrees, but instead certificates of completion. While this is fine for those careers that actually require a certification instead of a degree, that is fine. It is a problem for students who want a real degree, however.

What is important to check out prior to enrolling in a college program is the accreditation it offers.

Capella University

Accreditation

Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).

Capella University offers accelerated classes: 10 week online classes.

Capella offers quality education for working adults who want to advance in their careers. Learn more about our online doctoral, master’s, MBA, undergraduate, and certificate programs:

  • Bachelor’s in Accounting
  • Bachelor’s in Business Administration
  • Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
  • Bachelor’s in Emergency Management
  • Bachelor’s in Finance
  • Bachelor’s in General Information Technology
  • Bachelor’s in General Psychology
  • Bachelor’s in Health Care Management
  • Bachelor’s in Health Informatics
  • Bachelor’s in Homeland Security
  • Bachelor’s in Human Resource Management
  • Bachelor’s in Information Assurance and Security
  • Bachelor’s in Information Technology Project Management
  • Bachelor’s in Management and Leadership
  • Bachelor’s in Network Technology
  • Bachelor’s in Project Management
  • Bachelor’s in Retail Management
  • Bachelor’s in Software Architecture
  • Bachelor’s in Business Intelligence
  • Bachelor’s in Global Operations and Supply Chain Management
  • Bachelor’s in Strategy and Innovation
  • DHA – General Health Administration
  • DHA – Health Care Leadership
  • DPA – General Public Administration
  • DrPH – Health Advocacy and Leadership
  • DSW – General Social Work
  • EdD – Educational Leadership and Management
  • EdD – Reading and Literacy Bridge
  • EdS – Curriculum and Instruction
  • EdS – Leadership in Educational Administration
  • Graduate Certificate in College Teaching
  • Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy
  • Master’s in Early Childhood Education
  • Master’s in Educational Psychology
  • Master’s in English Language Learning and Teaching
  • Master’s in Enterprise Software Architecture
  • Master’s in Evaluation, Research, and Measurement
  • Master’s in General Career Counseling
  • Master’s in General Psychology
  • Master’s in Gerontology
  • Master’s in Health Information Management
  • Master’s in Homeland Security
  • Master’s in Human Resource Management
  • Master’s in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
  • Master’s in Information Assurance and Security
  • Master’s in Instructional Design for Online Learning
  • Master’s in K-12 Studies in Education
  • Master’s in Leadership
  • Master’s in Training and Performance Improvement
  • MSN – Nurse Educator
  • MSN – Nurse Educator Bridge
  • PhD in Accounting
  • PhD in Addiction Psychology
  • PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision
  • PhD in Criminal Justice
  • PhD in Curriculum and Instruction
  • PhD in Educational Psychology
  • PhD in Emergency Management
  • PhD in General Advanced Studies in Human Behavior
  • PhD in General Business
  • PhD in General Information Technology
  • PhD in General Organization and Management
  • PhD in General Psychology
  • PhD in Health Care Administration
  • PhD in Human Resource Management
  • PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
  • PhD in Information Security
  • PhD in Information Technology Mgmt

Read more or get a program guide from Capella University.

What Is Accreditation?

This is an official seal of sorts provided by agencies whose job it is to monitor schools to make sure students are protected and get what the signed on for. When a program is accredited, it has met the standards set by both those agencies, and the government. Anything you get from them will be official, and can be shown to a potential employer as proof that you finished your schooling.

Who Provides Accreditation?

First, it has to go through the U.S. Department of Education, which is the first step in the confirmation process. Then, it goes through smaller third-party agencies, which offer either regional or national accreditation. Regional is necessary to qualify for a degree anywhere, but national is a secondary option that might be added on and can be beneficial.

Some agencies are the Council for Higher Education Association (CHEA) and the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA).  But these are by no means the only ones around.

Conclusion

Online education is a wonderful thing, but you have to make sure you are getting the right kind of degree. Accreditation is important, and if you don’t pick your school carefully you will do it all for nothing. Find out more about accredited online colleges today.