Accreditation, Certification, and Licensing

Accreditation

In the United States there is no central authority that oversees the quality of colleges and universities. As a result, postsecondary educational institutions vary widely in the quality of their programs.

To insure a basic level of quality, postsecondary schools practice peer evaluations of institutions and programs. National and regional educational associations have adopted standards and procedures for evaluating schools and programs. In addition, a license to work in an occupation may require that you graduate from an accredited college or program. For example, to get a license to work, a dental hygienist must graduate for an accredited dental hygiene program. Architects must also graduate from an accredited program to be licensed.

Educational institutions and programs go through self-studies and on-site evaluations that are needed for accreditation for a number of reasons.

• Certify that a college or programs meets established standards.
• Assist prospective students in identifying quality schools and programs.
• Support institutions in determining if transfer credits are acceptable.
• Help colleges and programs set goals for self-improvement.
• Assure that students meet the requirements for certification and licensure to work in certain occupations.

There are two types of accreditation: one is for institutions and the other is for programs.

• Institutional accreditation applies to the entire school. For example, in Nebraska four-year colleges and universities and community colleges are usually accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities and the Nebraska Department of Education.
• Programmatic accreditation applies to programs or majors, departments, or parts of a college. Specific programs are certified by related associations or government agencies. For example, nursing programs may be accredited by the National League of Nursing or teacher education programs by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Cosmetology and nail technology schools are accredited by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

The US Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, provides information about accepted national and regional accrediting associations for education. Visit their web site for more detailed information.

http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html

Certification

A certificate guarantees that an individual has a certain knowledge and skill level related to an occupation. Professional or educational organizations, such as the Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) or American Association of Medical Assistants, grant certificates. Other certificates may be product related, such as Certified Novell Engineers (CAN) or Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD).

All certifying organizations determine the requirements you must meet to receive the certificate. These usually include one or more of the following: education, training, work experience, and exams. For example, a respiratory therapist must complete an approved training program and pass the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) examination of the National Board for Respiratory Care

Many certificates are issued for a set time period. At the end of that time period, you must renew the certificate. Usually the requirement is to take another exam, take more courses, or complete assigned tasks at work.

Being certified may be important to you for several different reasons.

• Employers may require that job applicants have a certificate in the chosen occupation.
• An employer may require that you get a certificate to get a raise.
• A certificate may increase your status in a company.
• You may find it easier to market your self during a job search.
• You may use certification as a path for personal improvement.

The National Organization for Competency Assurance and National Commission for Certifying Agencies provide a clearinghouse for information and a list of accrediting organizations.

http://www.noca.org/ncca/accredorg.htm

Licensing

States such as Nebraska use licenses to regulate workers in occupations. It is illegal for you to work in certain occupations without meeting the standards. Licensure laws explain what you need to do to get a license. These usually include one or more of the following: education, training, work experience, and exams.

Go to CIS for Internet and look for two or three occupations that are of interest to you. In the “Licensing/Certification” topic, determine the requirements to work in that occupation in Nebraska . Is a license required? What do you have to do to get a license? Do you have to renew that license after a set period of time? Is certification available? What do you have to do to receive a certificate?

Source: US Department of Education