Accreditation is both a process and a status. As a process, it ensures that institutions of higher education meet standards of quality and provide educational programs, services, credentials, and credits that students and the community can trust. The process also verifies that institutions have the resources and infrastructure to sustain and improve the quality of their educational offerings and services.
As a result of a successful accreditation process, institutions gain an accredited status that qualifies them for federal grants and contracts, enables them to distribute federal financial aid, and ensures that their students can transfer credits to another accredited institution. Many employers also require credentials from accredited institutions as a condition of employment. Ultimately, an accredited status signifies that an institution meets expectations for educational quality, sound institutional practice, and resources for students’ success.