Accelerated Online Degree Programs – Accredited

When choosing an online degree program, some students prefer an accelerated program to accomplish their degree more quickly.  Accelerated or traditional, students considering potential online schools should always verify that the school is properly accredited; accreditation of an accelerated school can make a huge difference in whether or not the online degree is respected.

Accredited Degree Programs

What are accredited accelerated online degree programs?

Accredited accelerated degree programs are programs that offer a degree more rapidly than traditional programs, over several months rather than several years; schools offering these should have received accreditation to ensure their quality and transferability.  These programs can be offered online to even further accelerate the degree process as degrees can be earned at the convenience of the student’s schedule.

What types of accreditation are there?

The two main types of accreditation are national and regional.  Regional accreditation is usually for non-profit public and private educational institutions.  National Accreditation generally covers for-profit educational institutions throughout the country including technical, career, or vocational programs.

Regional accreditation – the six regional accreditors

Regional accreditation is divided into six regions of the U.S., each having its own accreditation association as follows:

• The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools covers Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Puerto Rico.
• The New England Association of Colleges and Schools covers Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
• The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools covers Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, New Mexico, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
• The Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges covers Alaska, Idaho, Utah, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
• The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools covers Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
• The Western Association of Schools and Colleges covers schools in the western region of the U.S.

Enjoying the rapidity and convenience of an accelerated online degree program really is dependent upon accreditation to ensure that the degree for which one worked so hard is accepted by future employers and institutions as well as respected as well it should be.  Without accreditation, the degree one earns might have been in vain.