Choosing a college and degree program means thinking about whether the education you receive will support your goals after graduation, and accreditation is a key factor to consider. It helps determine whether a degree program can qualify you for federal financial aid, transfer to another institution, and deliver the credibility employers expect.
But what does accreditation actually verify, and why is accreditation important when you’re investing your time and money in a degree? For working adults, these questions can matter even more. You may be balancing a career, family responsibilities, and a demanding schedule, so knowing your school is properly accredited could help ensure you’re making the right investment.
Fortunately, verifying a school’s accreditation status can take just a few minutes. Knowing where to look and what to check will help you make a confident decision before enrolling.
What Accreditation Actually Means
Accreditation is a voluntary process in which an independent accrediting organization evaluates a college, university, or specific program against established standards for educational quality.
Accrediting organizations are private, nonprofit entities recognized by the U.S. Department of Education rather than government agencies themselves. That means accreditation is not a government stamp of approval. Still, it plays a pivotal part in determining whether a degree is recognized for purposes such as federal financial aid, credit transfer, or employment.
Accreditation also is not permanent. Institutions must undergo periodic reviews and demonstrate that they continue to meet the accreditor’s standards to maintain their status. In other words, accreditation provides an ongoing quality check that gives students greater confidence in the education they’re investing in and the value of their degree.
Institutional vs. Programmatic Accreditation: Why Both Matter
Institutional and programmatic accreditation answer two different questions about a college education:
- Institutional accreditation evaluates the school as a whole, including its resources, educational practices, governance, and ability to meet established standards. It covers every program a school offers, whether online or on campus.
- Programmatic accreditation, by contrast, focuses on a particular degree or discipline (e.g., nursing, counseling, or social work). Programmatic accreditation is not automatically necessary for every academic field. Instead, it is especially essential in professions where an accrediting body, licensing board, or certification organization sets specific educational requirements for entering the field. In many other fields, such as business and hospitality management, employers typically look to a school’s institutional accreditation instead.
Understanding the distinction helps you know which accreditation matters for your goals and helps prevent the assumption that every program must hold a separate specialized accreditation.
Institutional Accreditation
Institutional accreditation applies to the college or university at large. Historically, students may have heard accreditors described as “regional” or “national,” but those labels are becoming increasingly outdated. The U.S. Department of Education now uses “institutional accreditor” as the broader term, and geographic restrictions for the former regional accreditors were removed in 2020. Now, the central factor is whether the institution is accredited by an accreditor recognized by the Department of Education, not whether it carries a regional or national label.
For example, Johnson & Wales University is institutionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), and that accreditation encompasses its campuses and online programs. Institutional accreditation assures the quality and integrity of the institution broadly, but it does not mean every individual program has specialized accreditation.
Programmatic Accreditation
Programmatic accreditation evaluates a particular academic program against standards established for its profession or discipline. Programs that lead to professional licensure, such as physician assistant studies, may require it, but many programs do not. A university can be institutionally accredited even when a specific program lacks programmatic accreditation, and that is not inherently a problem.
Before enrolling, check the requirements for the field and career you are pursuing, then confirm whether the specific program satisfies them. For JWU students, the university’s accreditations and approvals page lists current programmatic accreditations and approvals, allowing you to verify your program’s status.
What Happens If Your School Isn’t Institutionally Accredited
Institutional accreditation could affect whether your degree is usable for the next step in your education or career. Without accreditation from a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accreditor, students could face significant limitations:
- No federal financial aid eligibility. Accreditation by a recognized accreditor is generally required for an institution to participate in federal student aid programs. State aid may have its own requirements, too.
- Transfer can be difficult. Other colleges decide whether to accept your credits, and credits from an unaccredited institution may be rejected.
- Employers may question or reject the credential. Some employers (particularly government employers) require degrees from accredited institutions.
- Licensure can be affected. In regulated professions, state licensing boards may impose accreditation requirements. However, institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation are separate issues — so students pursuing licensure should also verify the specific program and state requirements before enrolling.
The key takeaway is that institutional accreditation establishes an important baseline, but students entering a licensed profession should confirm any additional program-level requirements.
Why This Matters Even More for Working Adults Going Back to School
For working adults, accreditation can affect both the cost of earning a degree and the value of that degree when you’re ready to move forward.
Many employer tuition reimbursement programs require employees to attend an accredited institution before they will reimburse eligible coursework; some policies specifically require accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Check your employer’s policy before enrolling to confirm whether your tuition benefit applies.
Accreditation also matters when you’re returning to a career path after time away. You may be relying on a new credential to demonstrate current knowledge, qualify for advancement, or change fields. Choosing an accredited institution could help ensure the degree you earn supports those goals rather than creating another barrier.
How Do You Verify a School’s Accreditation?
Verifying accreditation is one of the simplest and most crucial steps to take before enrolling. Instead of relying solely on a school’s website or marketing materials, you can confirm its status through the U.S. Department of Education’s official database and then speak with the school directly about your program. The process takes only a few minutes and gives you a clearer picture of whether the school and program align with your goals.
Use the steps below as a quick pre-enrollment check, especially if you’re a working adult who doesn’t have time to sort through complicated accreditation terminology. Keep in mind that institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation answer different questions, so you may need to complete both checks.
Step 1: Check the Institution
Start with the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP). Then:
- Search the DAPIP database and enter the school’s name in the search field.
- Select the institution that matches the school you’re considering.
- Review its accreditation information, including the accrediting agency and current status.
DAPIP receives accreditation information directly from recognized accrediting agencies and state approval agencies, making it a useful independent verification tool. Don’t stop your research when you see the word “accredited” on a school’s website. Confirm who the accreditor is and that the institution’s status is current. Additionally, remember the Department of Education does not accredit schools itself; it recognizes accrediting agencies that meet federal requirements.
Step 2: Talk to an Admissions Associate
Once you’ve confirmed the school’s accreditation, reach out to the admissions team with any questions about your specific program. An admissions associate can walk you through how the program fits your career goals, and academic advisors can answer more detailed questions about licensure, certification, or programmatic accreditation.
Come prepared with a few questions about your plans, such as whether the program aligns with the credential or role you’re working toward and whether any requirements vary by state. Requesting more information is a quick way to get answers specific to your situation before you apply.
Red Flags That Signal a Diploma Mill
Not every unaccredited school is a diploma mill, and no single warning sign proves that an institution is illegitimate. However, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recommends looking at the overall picture and watching for unsupported claims about accreditation or academic quality. Several of these red flags appearing together should prompt you to stop and investigate further:
- No verifiable accreditation – The school doesn’t identify an accreditor, or the accreditor cannot be confirmed through U.S. Department of Education or CHEA resources.
- Degrees based largely on experience – A degree can be earned primarily from a resume or life experience with little meaningful coursework or academic work required.
- Unusually fast credentials – The school promises a degree in an exceptionally short time or requires very little attendance, coursework, or work to earn credits.
- Pressure to pay or enroll – Claims that a credential can be obtained through payment, with few academic requirements, are a serious warning sign.
- Little information about faculty – The school provides no clear list of instructors or their academic qualifications.
- Vague institutional information – The provider offers limited information about its physical location, governance, or authority to operate.
JWU Online’s Accreditation, in Plain Terms
Johnson & Wales University has been institutionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education for decades, predating the university’s online programs. That accreditation applies to JWU as a whole, encompassing the Providence and Charlotte campuses as well as its online programs.
Find an Accredited Program Built Around Your Life
With JWU Online, you can attend an accredited school and pursue a degree designed to fit your schedule — all while building toward your academic and career goals. Explore your options and find an online program that works for your life.
For more information about completing your degree online, complete the Request Info form, call 855-JWU-1881, or email [email protected].