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+--- Thread: Is regional accreditation still important for grad school? (/Thread-Is-regional-accreditation-still-important-for-grad-school)
Is regional accreditation still important for grad school? - soliloquy - 05-20-2014
I have heard people say the reasons regional accreditation is important for the undergrad:
1. If one wants to transfer to another college, a lot of colleges won't accept credits from a non-regionally accredited college.
2. A lot of grad schools won't accept a BA/BS from non-regionally accredited colleges.
But, after you have your undergrad from a regionally accredited college, is it still important to attend a grad school that is regionally accredited?
I was looking at CSU (Columbia Southern University). They have some Master's programs I am interested in and they are in Orange Beach, Alabama (which looked like a pretty nice spot for graduation :o. But, before i research things further, I would love to get your opinions on this. Do employers look at regional accreditation with the importance that other universities do? Thanks!
Online Degree Programs - Columbia Southern University
Is regional accreditation still important for grad school? - soliloquy - 05-20-2014
Deleted............
Is regional accreditation still important for grad school? - cookderosa - 05-20-2014
It depends on the purpose for earning the degree.
Is regional accreditation still important for grad school? - rebel100 - 05-20-2014
I have a hard time warming to non regionally accredited degrees. I do understand that there is good education available outside of the RA camp....but do I really want to spend time, money, and effort on a degree process that may be questioned by potential employers down the road? No program I have looked at (had an interest in), has ever demonstrated itself fully worthwhile IMO. New Charter for example had an MBA track that was cheap and interesting, but why would one embark down that path when Patton or WGU were nearly as affordable yet came with RA.
If your doing it purely for the personal enrichment experience then maybe, but even then I'm gonna lean towards just putting together a free MOOC based program or something.
With all that said I do know people with NA degrees (or even full on unaccredited degrees), that are doing just fine for themselves. I wouldn't likely spend my money and time on such programs. (Jennifer tell me where I'm wrong).
Is regional accreditation still important for grad school? - sanantone - 05-20-2014
It's important if you ever want to teach college courses. Other than that, private employers don't know the difference. Some state and local agencies will only accept regional accreditation for employment and/or licensure. The federal government considers NA and RA to be equal. I once saw a federal job that required ACBSP or AACSB accreditation. Some large, private organizations have posted job ads requiring or preferring AACSB accreditation, but this is rare.
One thing to consider is that there are RA schools that are cheaper than CSU. FHSU is one of them.
Is regional accreditation still important for grad school? - soliloquy - 05-20-2014
I had a great conversation today with SEMO (Southeast Missouri State University). I need to take the statistics DSST and the GMAT or GRE and then I'll apply. They are AACSB accredited which is great. Online programs are in-state tuition and you can't beat that. I can get this Masters for under 10K. The application deadline is November 21. I have plenty of time to apply. I'm giving myself a deadline of September 1, 2014 to get the tests completed. That will give me two months to study for the statistics exam and two months to study for the GRE or GMAT. By the way, is the GRE easier? They said they'll accept either of them.
Is regional accreditation still important for grad school? - publius2k4 - 05-20-2014
Here's a major issue for non-regionally accredited schools;
YOU CANNOT RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID!
Even if the institution has national accreditation, the students of an institution with only national accreditation cannot receive federal financial aid (not including state aid or GI Bill benefits).
Is regional accreditation still important for grad school? - zenurez - 05-20-2014
Are online programs really the same as the in state tuition rate? I couldn't find that anywhere on their website when I looked.
soliloquy Wrote:I had a great conversation today with SEMO (Southeast Missouri State University). I need to take the statistics DSST and the GMAT or GRE and then I'll apply. They are AACSB accredited which is great. Online programs are in-state tuition and you can't beat that. I can get this Masters for under 10K. The application deadline is November 21. I have plenty of time to apply. I'm giving myself a deadline of September 1, 2014 to get the tests completed. That will give me two months to study for the statistics exam and two months to study for the GRE or GMAT. By the way, is the GRE easier? They said they'll accept either of them.
Is regional accreditation still important for grad school? - cookderosa - 05-20-2014
rebel100 Wrote:I have a hard time warming to non regionally accredited degrees. I do understand that there is good education available outside of the RA camp....but do I really want to spend time, money, and effort on a degree process that may be questioned by potential employers down the road? No program I have looked at (had an interest in), has ever demonstrated itself fully worthwhile IMO. New Charter for example had an MBA track that was cheap and interesting, but why would one embark down that path when Patton or WGU were nearly as affordable yet came with RA.
If your doing it purely for the personal enrichment experience then maybe, but even then I'm gonna lean towards just putting together a free MOOC based program or something.
With all that said I do know people with NA degrees (or even full on unaccredited degrees), that are doing just fine for themselves. I wouldn't likely spend my money and time on such programs. (Jennifer tell me where I'm wrong).
You're not wrong, it depends on what Soliloquy wants/needs. NA degrees are sometimes popular in trade occupations or niche fields....but we're talking grad school, so it's an iffy question. I'm of a similar mindset- if you're going to do the work ANYWAY..... I can think of many examples of NA undergrad programs that would work for specific fields. I was waiting to hear how/why/where this hypothetical degree would be earned/used before giving a full opinion.
Is regional accreditation still important for grad school? - cookderosa - 05-20-2014
publius2k4 Wrote:Here's a major issue for non-regionally accredited schools;
YOU CANNOT RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID!
Even if the institution has national accreditation, the students of an institution with only national accreditation cannot receive federal financial aid (not including state aid or GI Bill benefits).
That's not true. The US Dept of Ed recognizes many national accreditors. Check the database, it's completely legit. My husband and I both hold NA degrees that we used Pell Grant and Good ol' Sallie Mae for. U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs
EDIT: Better link - any school accredited by the accreditors on this list will participate in FA http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Agencies.aspx