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What Happens When An Online School Loses Its Accreditation?

By Ashley Hart

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Published: 23Dec2011
Word count: 1448
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When researching an online BA degree or college, it's important to find out whether it has been accredited by a legitimate accrediting agency. In fact, students would be well-served by using this as a litmus test. If an institution has not received accreditation, it should be regarded with suspicion as there is usually a good reason.

It's important to understand what accreditation suggests about a school, whether you're considering an online college or a conventional (i.e. classroom-based) institution. Assuming it has been granted by a recognized agency, accreditation implies that a school meets a defined level of quality. For example, the institution's instructors are qualified to teach their respective subjects; the students are required to demonstrate their knowledge of the course material; and the material itself meets certain standards.

Below, we'll describe how educational institutions become accredited, and the reasons they might be placed on probation by the accrediting agencies. You'll also learn what to expect if the school you're currently attending loses its accreditation.

How A School Earns Accreditation

The school or university must be in existence for at least two years before being accredited by one of the recognized agencies. This establishes a track record by which the institution can be judged. A personal visit is required - even for online colleges - so the accreditors can determine whether the establishment offers students the resources they need. Following this visit, the visitors from the accrediting agency will recommend that the institution receive accreditation, or that accreditation is withheld.

It's worth noting that many high-quality online colleges remain unaccredited. This can be due to a couple reasons. For example, the school may be structured in a way that prevents it from conforming to the accreditor's requirements. Or, the school may be able to conform, but refuse to do so based on the way it approaches online education. Realize that accreditation, while useful as a gauge for choosing a reliable college, often neglects the larger picture.

Accreditation By Program And Institution

It is also worth highlighting that accreditation can be granted based on an overall assessment of the school or a particular degree program offered by the school. In the latter case, a student may decide to attend an online college that lacks accreditation at the establishment level, but has earned it for her major. This is applicable in situations where the student plans to work in a field that requires a license or certification (e.g. law, medicine, etc.)

When Your School Is Placed On Probation

Accreditation does not last forever. Once it is earned, it lasts for a specific number of years, after which it must be renewed. At that time, the accreditor will reevaluate the school to ensure it continues to meet the established standards.

In some cases, a school may falter in meeting a particular requirement. For example, the instructors may be replaced with those who are unable to demonstrate proficiency in their subjects. Or, the college may experience financial difficulties (a major consideration in the accreditation process). These and other circumstances can cause the institution to be placed on probation. Their accreditation remains intact, but could be jeopardized if the problem remains unresolved. While this situation is rare, it does occur occasionally.

What To Expect If Your College's Accreditation Is Withheld

Suppose you are attending an online school that earned its accreditation years ago. They are thus scheduled for a reevaluation. What happens if the institution loses its accreditation before you are able to graduate with your degree? This can pose a number of problems, particularly with employers or other schools to which you intend to transfer.

Most employers consider accreditation to be important. It gives them confidence that job candidates who have degrees in certain fields understand the material they studied, and can apply it on the job. If your college loses its accreditation, this confidence may evaporate.

Also, if you plan to transfer to another school, the receiving institution may not accept your classes for credit if they were completed at an unaccredited college. This means you may need to take the classes again.

Accreditation is clearly important. If your online college is in danger of losing it, review your educational goals to determine whether the loss will affect you.

Learn more about an online BA degree and what it could do for you at www.degreechemistry.com.

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