Title: 5 Regional Accreditors for Online Schools
Headings: Regional Accreditation for Online Schools
Regional Accreditation for Online Schools
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
AdvanceED
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
National Accreditation vs. Regional Accreditation
Find Out If Your Online College Is Accredited

Content: The NWCCU establishes accreditation criteria and evaluation procedures for reviewing its member institutions. At publication time, the commission oversees regional accreditation for 162 institutions. If you earn a degree from an online school that is accredited by one of these associations, that degree is as valid as a degree from any other accredited school. Most employers and other universities will automatically accept your degree. National Accreditation vs. Regional Accreditation
Alternatively, some online schools are accredited by the Distance Education Training Council. The DETC is also recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. DETC accreditation is considered valid by many employers. However, many regionally accredited schools do not accept course credits from DETC-accredited schools, and some employers may be leery of these degrees. Find Out If Your Online College Is Accredited
You can find out instantly if an online school is accredited by a regional accreditor, the DETC or another legitimate accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education by searching the U.S. Department of Education database. You may use the CHEA website to search for both CHEA- and USDE-recognized accreditors or to view a chart comparing CHEA and USDE recognition ).