Are there benefits to attending an accredited school?

Accredited schools have committed to maintain certain levels of academic excellence which are reviewed by a not-for-profit organization on a regular basis.  As such, colleges that have been through the accreditation process are more likely to offer degrees that employers and recruiters recognize. Companies want to know that you have a quality education and that you will have something to bring to the table when you join their team. A degree from an accredited college or university provides provides a level of comfort to employers.

How can I find out a school's graduation/job placement rate?

The quickest way to get in touch with a representative who can supply that information is by submitting your information to the school of your choice from this site.  When contacted by a representative at the school you should ask any questions that you may have about the school, the quality of education they offer, and services available to student and alumni.  This is your opportunity to speak with someone at the school who can answer all your questions and help you through the process of getting back to school.

What does it mean that a schools is "Accredited"?

In a nutshell, this means that an outside, not-for-profit organization has reviewed the structure and nature of the program itself in order to ensure that it complies with a specific set of standards.  When a school becomes a member of one of the six nationally-recognized regional accrediting organizations they agree to a process of voluntary self-regulation that is a constructive experience designed to improve the quality of that member school.  The standards for accreditation are set by a peer review board whose members include faculty from various accredited colleges and universities. The board aids in the evaluation of each potential new school accreditation or the renewals of previously accredited colleges/schools. Each college is typically assessed using the following criteria:

• Overall Mission of the College
• Objectives and Goals
• Student Requirements for Admissions
• Services Available to Students
• Quality of Education
• Reputation of Faculty

In other words, a regionally accredited program will actually provide a legitimate education, and the degree you eventually earn will have weight in the workforce. A degree from an unaccredited institution will not be considered nearly as impressive - or, for that matter, legitimate at all.

The six regional accrediting bodies are:

• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• Northwest Commission of Schools and Colleges
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

I have heard that career colleges are not "real" schools - Is that true?

No, that is definitely not true.  Career colleges are referred to as such because of their focus on providing training in real world job skills.  All career colleges need to meet the same strict guidelines for accreditation as any other post-secondary educational institution.  All Career colleges need to be accredited and are accountable to the U.S. department of education for the results of their students.  In addition unlike a traditional university, career colleges are required to place a large percentage of their students in jobs in their field of training in order to maintain their accreditation status.  Traditional 4-year colleges and community colleges in contrast are under no requirement to find any of their students a job after college.