Accreditation

Many universities offer degrees at the doctoral level, but before enrolling in one, make sure that the school you’re considering to attend has an accredited doctorate program, by checking with the Department of Education for the state or with the United States Department of Education.

In addition to the accredited doctorate, if your chosen career requires licensure, make sure that the degree program is recognized by the bureau that will be awarding your license.

Accreditation is the process of issuing official approval to an educational institution or program, after proper verification by the authorities in the field.

The doctoral degree, also called PhD, is the most praised degree in the academic world, and for a long time it has been out of reach for many students aspiring to a higher education. Now, however, there are far more possibilities and choices one can make in order to obtain an accredited doctorate. According to the Department of Education, there are two types of accreditation: institutional and specialized. Institutional accreditation means that the entire institution rises up to accreditation standards, while the specialized accreditation applies to departments or internal schools within an institution, like the accredited doctorate. Also, the two kinds of accrediting are divided between regional and national, administered according to their type. The national accreditation is administered by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), and the regional one is administered by six agencies dividing the nation into districts, with each regional agency serving specific rates.

Regardless of the field, school or program you choose, one should always verify their accreditation. An accredited doctorate ensures a certain level of quality in the program and is established by non-governmental private institutions that check and evaluate every aspect of the school. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the United States Department of Education (USDE) are the authorities that review the accreditors as to leave no doubt regarding subjectivity, corruption or poor judgement in their decision to grant the title of accredited doctorate.

The job market nowadays has become very competitive and the rates of employment have dropped considerably all around the world. Keep in mind that employers often need proof that their applicants have a degree from an accredited academic program or institution; even if you get the job, without the accredited degree you may not be eligible for promotions.

Another reason for which accreditation is very important is that in the United States, CHEA requires you to have to be enrolled in an accredited program in order to be eligible for grants and loans.
Also, when transferring from one school to another, only accredited education credits will transfer.

An accredited doctorate is the mark of authenticity and credibility of a course or program and is bound to make a real difference in your credentials, paving the way to a more successful career and a whole new variety of opportunities. The accredited doctorate degree carries with it prestige and proof of the high level of education of an individual, an undeniable indicator of value and superior knowledge in that specific field.