How Important Can a College's Accreditation Prove to Be?

The actual worth of a degree on which you are investing a great deal of money can only be determined if you have complete knowledge about the accreditation status of the institute granting that degree. A degree secured by an institution that does not hold accreditation can cause great trouble especially in the development of your career, giving it an uglier look. Now, this isn't something, you should believe because I say it but this what can be easily understood from the attitude of the employers who would never recognize a degree earned from an unaccredited institute.

When considering any institute for the acquisition of a degree, make sure to check for the "accreditation" of the institute before getting enrolled. Online information regarding various institutes enables you in finding an accredited institute for yourself. While searching about the accreditation position of the institute, go through the words used with a minute observation. Several unaccredited institutes make use of words like chartered, licensed, authorized, pursuing accreditation, recognized or registered. But, the word "accredited" is not present there which indicates that a further investigation should be made. So, never forget to check for the key word i.e. 'accreditation'.

Whether you opt for online studies or go to a brick and mortar campus, accreditation is something which must always be checked out. After the "accreditation investigation" part is done, you are responsible to look over the qualifications of the accrediting agency that has given approval; to the institute. More than a few years back, an institute known as American Association of Accredited Colleges and Universities was founded in the US. By name, you may be considering it an accredited institute but in real this accrediting body was a total scam. The US government via the Department of Education has the sole responsibility to evaluate the accrediting agencies; however there are certain institutions that still function although they aren't approved. Now, it is up to you as to how you make the right choice for your future.

Sheila Danzig is founder of Degree.com, http://www.degree.com and Career Consulting International, http://www.TheDegreePeople.com and BG Publishing International. Danzig holds a Bachelor's degree from Hunter College of the City University of New York, a Masters degree from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, and a Doctorate from Universidad San Juan de la Cruz where he is currently a professor. Danzig has co-authored a paper on the acceptance of the 3-Year Indian degree which has been published at IMMIGRATION DAILY among other publications worldwide. The books she has written include, One Year to Your College Degree, The Big Book of College Scholarship and others.