What is the difference between institutional accreditation and program accreditation?
Institutional accreditation speaks to the overall quality of the organization without making judgments about specific programs. Institutional accreditation is accreditation of all programs, sites, and methods of delivery. The accreditation of individual programs, such as those preparing students to practice a profession, is carried out by specialized or program accrediting bodies that apply specific standards for curriculum and course content. The Commission does not maintain lists of programs offered by its accredited organizations. Each specialized accrediting body publishes a list of programs it accredits. This information also is shown in the annual directories, Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education, published by the American Council on Education, and Higher Education Directory, published by Higher Education Publications, which are available in many libraries. The National Center for Education Statistics also provides an online tool, COOL (College Opportunities Online)
Institutional accreditation speaks to the overall quality of the organization without making judgments about specific programs. Institutional accreditation is accreditation of all programs, sites, and methods of delivery. The accreditation of individual program, such as those preparing students to practice a profession, is carried out by specialized or program accrediting bodies that apply specific standards for curriculum and course content. The Commission does not maintain lists of programs offered by its accredited organizations. Each specialized accrediting body publishes a list of programs it accredits. This information also is shown in the annual directories, Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education, published by the American Council on Education, and Higher Education Directory, published by Higher Education Publications, which are available in many libraries. The National Center for Education Statistics also provides on online tool, COOL (College Opportunities Online),
