Accredited Online Schools or Certification Programs?
December 15th, 2009 by admin
Does anyone know how you can find out if a school or program is Accredited?
I”m looking for a certification program for medical billing and coding. I’ve found a lot of info online but unsure if they are really accredited.
Thanks!
Tags:accredited,certification,online,programs,schools
Tags: 
It is unlikely that med billing and coding would be offered at an accredited institution. The institution must provide information on their accreditation or you should not consider them a viable alternative. Call or check their website.
Technical colleges may not be regionally accredited, and if not credits will not transfer and some employers may require a degree from an accredited institution.
The following six regional accreditation agencies are recognized as legitimate accreditors:
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Accredits schools in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement(NCA)
Accredits schools in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Navajo Nation, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA)
Accredits schools in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Central America, Europe, and the Middle East.
Southern Association of Schools and Colleges (SACS)
Accredits schools in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Latin America.
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Accredits schools in California, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Palau, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, Marshall Islands, and other Australasian locations.
Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges (NWCCU)
Accredits schools in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
If you earn a degree from an online school that is accredited by one of these associations, you can be assured that it will be as valid as a degree from any regular university. Most employers and other universities will automatically accept your degree.
National Accreditation vs. Regional Accreditation
Alternatively, some online schools are accredited by the Distance Education Training Council. The DETC is also recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. DETC accreditation is considered valid by many employers. However, many regionally accredited schools will not accept course credits from DETC accredited schools and some employers may be leery of these degrees. Learn more: DETC Accreditation.
Find Out if Your Online College is Accredited
You can find out instantly if an online school is accredited by a regional accreditor, the DETC, or another legitimate accreditor recognized by the United States Department of Education by searching the United States Department of Education database. You may use the CHEA website to search for both CHEA and USDE recognized accreditors (off-site link) or to view a chart comparing CHEA and USDE recognition (off-site PDF chart).
Note that “recognition” of an accrediting agency does not guarantee a particular degree will be accepted by schools and employers. Ultimately, regional accreditation remains the most widely accepted form of accreditation for degrees earned both online and at brick-and-mortar universities.
http://distancelearn.about.com.....gional.htm