What types of accreditations are there?
There are three types of accreditation: national, regional, and programmatic. To award federal financial aid, the institution must be accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Programmatic accreditation is appropriate for professional programs that lead to certification or licensure. Since all accreditation is voluntary, institutions select the kinds of accreditation they want to pursue, based on their own strategic plan and the types of programs they offer.