Accreditation is the system of recognition and quality assurance for institutions and programs of higher education in the United States. When deciding on a program of study, one of your main concerns should be whether the program is properly accredited.

This section explains what accreditation is, how it happens, who carries it out, and why it matters to you. Accreditation is a complex issue, so we recommend that you read the entire section to ensure you fully understand this important topic.

> Maintaining Educational Standards in the United States
> What Accreditation Signifies
> Institutional Accreditation
> Institutions Not Holding Recognized Accreditation
> Programmatic Accreditation
> U.S. Institutions and Programs Outside the United States
> Related Links

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