3 Reasons Why Choosing an Accredited Psychology School Matters
When choosing a college or university for your psychology education, it's important to choose an institution that's accredited. Learn more about accreditation and why choosing an accredited psychology school matters.
There are hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States, and it can be hard to find the perfect fit.
One thing you need to look for when choosing a school is accreditation. Keep reading to learn more about what accreditation is and why choosing an accredited psych school matters.
What Is Accreditation?
There are two types of accreditation in higher education: institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation.
Institutional accreditation refers to the entire college or university, while programmatic accreditation refers to specific programs within that institution.
The U.S Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) oversee the agencies that accredit these institutions and programs.
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Southern New Hampshire University
You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you reach them. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you.
University of Maryland Global Campus
University of Maryland Global Campus provides affordable, achievable, and flexible pathways to a college degree for adult learners. With over 90 degrees and certificates, UMGC is built to fit your schedule and goals.
University of North Carolina
The University of North Carolina offers a wide range of online programs designed for working adults. Earn your degree from a nationally recognized institution with flexible scheduling and strong academic support.
Arizona State University
Arizona State University offers more than 300 online degree programs, certificates and courses. ASU Online delivers the same rigorous academic programs as on campus, with the flexibility you need to succeed.
Institutional Accreditation
If an institution is accredited, the entire institution has met the guidelines established by the accreditation agency.
In the United States, a college or university can be either regionally or nationally accredited.
Regional Accreditation
The majority of colleges and universities in the United States are regionally accredited. To be regionally accredited, the institution must meet the strict standards set by the regional agency for its state.
There are six regional accreditation agencies, and each accredits schools within certain states. These agencies are:
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC): Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE): Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and Washington D.C.
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC): Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU): Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS): Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC): California, Hawai'i, and the Hawaiian territories
State institutions and private, non-profit institutions are almost always regionally accredited.
National Accreditation
Most for-profit private schools in the United States are nationally accredited. However, this isn't a blanket rule.
Some for-profit schools, like Rasmussen University, Walden University, and the University of Phoenix, are regionally accredited.
National accreditation is also used for trade schools and vocational schools. There are over two dozen recognized regional accreditation agencies in the US, including:
- Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
- Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
- Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation
- Distance Education Accrediting Commission
National accreditation agencies usually accredited schools based on how they compare with institutions across the country that have a similar focus or curriculum.
Is Regional or National Accreditation Better?
Generally, regionally accredited schools are preferable over national accreditation, but there are benefits to nationally accredited schools.
Nationally accredited institutions are often less expensive and have more relaxed admission standards than regionally accredited institutions.
However, credits earned at a nationally accredited institution typically do not transfer into regionally accredited schools, while credits from regional schools are accepted almost anywhere.
Additionally, regionally accredited universities are typically considered more prestigious and look better on a resume.
If your employer offers corporate tuition reimbursement plans, you may not be eligible if you attend a nationally accredited university.
Programmatic Accreditation
Programmatic accreditation means that a specific program within the college or university has met standards set by a programmatic accreditation board.
A university may be No InterWiki reference defined in properties for Wiki called "institutionally accreditedhttps"!, but that does not mean that all the programs it offers are programmatically accredited.
Many agencies in the U.S. accredit programs, including:
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
- Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar American Bar Association
- Liaison Committee on Medical Education
- American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation
In the United States, the American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation is the primary body for psychology programs.
However, the commission only accredits programs at the doctoral level. Other programmatic accreditation agencies for psychology include:
- Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council
- National Association of School Psychologists (graduate programs only)
- Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PhDs only)
There are currently no agencies that accredit bachelor's programs in psychology.
Why Does Accreditation Matter?
There are several reasons why you should choose an accredited psychology school.
- First, institutions that are not accredited do not have educational requirements to meet. You may not receive a complete education at an unaccredited institution.
- Next, federal financial aid, and many types of private aid, will not fund education at an unaccredited institution. However, the institution itself may provide aid.
- Attending an unaccredited university may also make it difficult to further your career. Most graduate programs will not accept students from an unaccredited institution.
Additionally, employers often will not hire, or are not allowed to hire, candidates from unaccredited schools. This is especially true for government jobs.
Those that want to become licensed psychologists must attend an APA-accredited doctoral program in order to qualify for licensure.
How To Tell If Your Psych School Is Accredited
It should be easy to determine if your No InterWiki reference defined in properties for Wiki called "psychology schoolhttps"! is accredited at both the institutional and programmatic levels.
All public colleges and universities must be accredited, so if you're attending a public school, it will be an accredited institution. Most established institutions are also accredited.
A quick internet search can help you determine the accreditation status and agency for your psychology school. Usually, this information is available on the institution's website.
You can also check the website for the regional accreditation agency that covers the state your school is in. Most of these agencies have a list of accredited institutions on their websites.
For programmatic accreditation, you can check the accreditation agency's website for a list of accredited institutions. Most programs will also list their accreditation on their website.
Pursue Your Education at an Accredited Psychology School
When attending a bachelor's or master's program in psychology, you need to attend a college or university that's accredited, and preferably, regionally accredited.
At the doctoral level, your program also needs to be accredited by the APA so you can qualify for licensure.
With the information above, you can find an No InterWiki reference defined in properties for Wiki called "accredited psych schoolhttps"! and start your journey in psychology today.
