Accreditation 101 for Students
What Does Accreditation Mean to Students & Parents?
If someone asked you if the institution you are taking a course from is accredited, what would you say? What does accreditation mean to you as a student?
Parents: Why should you consider an accredited sport management program for your child?
According to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), accreditation is a means to ensure and improve higher education quality. Accreditation is a process that gives public recognition to institutions that meet certain standards. It is a promise that an institution will provide the quality of education it claims to offer. Accreditation assures the student that the institution operates on a sound financial basis, has an approved program of study, qualified instructors, adequate facilities and equipment, and approved recruitment and admissions policies.
Parents: Why should you consider an accredited sport management program for your child?
According to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), accreditation is a means to ensure and improve higher education quality. Accreditation is a process that gives public recognition to institutions that meet certain standards. It is a promise that an institution will provide the quality of education it claims to offer. Accreditation assures the student that the institution operates on a sound financial basis, has an approved program of study, qualified instructors, adequate facilities and equipment, and approved recruitment and admissions policies.
Questions to ask when visiting a sport management program
- Is the course, program or institution accredited?
- What are the standards of quality? Is there an available summary of the most recent review?
- If the course, program or institution is not accredited, is it certified for quality by another organization?
- What external quality review is performed by this other organization and what are the standards? Is there a summary of the most recent review?
- How can the organization that accredits or provides other types of external quality reviews be contacted?
questions accreditors think you should ask
- How do I determine my fit with the institution or program?
- How can I tell if the institution or program is any good?
- How do I know whether the institution or program will deliver what it promises?
- How do I know whether I have the prerequisites/preparation/background required for a career field?
- What about transfer of credit coming into a program – can I bring my prior coursework or credits with me from other schools?
- Will my credits transfer, both in-state and out-of-state?
- What is the likelihood that I will finish?
- What if I want to go to graduate school?
- Will I need more schooling after I finish this credential or degree to keep the job I want?
Academic programs, especially graduate programs, require that applicants demonstrate sufficient academic background to warrant admission, and therefore tend to prefer students who graduated from accredited programs over other students.
