Accreditation

Colleges and universities gain accreditation when an organization or agency determines that they have met certain predetermined standards of educational quality. Most accreditation agencies in the United States are recognized by either the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, an independent association. In Canada, colleges and universities are accredited by professional regulating agencies, governmental organizations, or private associations. Accrediting agencies assess the educational quality of colleges and universities by determining whether they have effective academic programs, qualified faculty members, adequate instructional and library facilities, and sufficient resources to provide satisfactory education. Once an accrediting agency grants a college or university accreditation, it reassesses the school periodically to determine whether the school has maintained adequate standards.