Accrediting agencies help to ensure that schools meet minimum standards for the quality of the education they provide. A degree from an accredited school is likely to have more value to potential employers or graduate schools. Therefore, it is wise to make sure any school you are considering attending is accredited.
Look for Accreditation Information on the School’s Website
Many schools place a link to their accreditation information on the bottom right of their home page. If there is no link on the home page, this information should be accessible somewhere else on the website. For example, you can find Grand Canyon University accreditation under the “Academics” tab of the main menu on their site.
Verify Accreditation Information on the Accrediting Agency Website
Unfortunately, some schools that are not accredited try to fool potential students by claiming they are accredited when they are not. Because of this, it is a good idea to visit the accrediting agency’s website and verify that the school you are considering is actually accredited by them. For example, you can check the status of Grand Canyon University accreditation professionals by looking them up in the Higher Learning Commission database.
Visit the US Department of Education or CHEA Website
Some schools may claim accreditation from an agency that is not recognized by either the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Accreditation from an unrecognized agency is usually not worth very much, so it is a good idea to verify that the school you are considering has been accredited by a recognized accrediting agency.
Schools that lack accreditation by a recognized agency may not be taken seriously by potential employers or graduate schools. Additionally, students who attend these schools may not have access to financial aid. For these reasons, it is important to know how to verify a school’s accreditation.
