Is the Value of Accreditation Overrated?

Education is a lifelong process. Your Nursing education won’t stop when you receive your diploma; you’ll keep sharpening your skills and adding to your qualifications throughout your career, whether in or outside of the classroom. However, the education that takes place within the classroom — or rather, the degree you receive based on that education, directly affects your professional opportunities. In other words, not all degrees are equal.

Since your Nursing degree is a result of hundreds of hours of hard work and can cost thousands of dollars to attain, you want to be sure that it adds genuine value to your resume and enhances your career prospects. Institutions that offer accredited programs claim that degrees earned from them have substantially more value. Is this true, or is the value of accreditation overrated?

Virginia Western Community College would say so. In 2007, the Virginia Western nursing program decided against trying to qualify once more for accreditation by a national nursing association, which they’d lost the previous year. In a news release, the school announced, “Virginia Western has determined that the endorsement of the NLNAC does not provide added value to the nursing program or to our students, and will therefore no longer pursue it.”

Admittedly, accreditation requirements can sometimes present a challenge, and not every requirement necessarily improves the quality of the program. Masses of non-essential yet required paperwork can be a drain on staff and faculty resources. In addition, accreditation can increase the program fees for students.

Most health care professionals, however, feel strongly that the downsides of accreditation are far outweighed by the benefits it provides. Two years after Virginia Western pulled the plug on pursuing accreditation, nearly 60 current and former nursing students filed a lawsuit against the college. The students stated they had been deceived by the school, which continued to publicly claim accreditation from the nursing commission even after the accreditation had been lost. In addition, said the lawyer representing the students, the students’ educational degrees are no longer granted by “a nationally accredited program which would enable them to compete at the highest levels for job and educational opportunities nationwide, including those with the government and our armed forces.”

If accreditation doesn’t provide added value to an educational program, why would Virginia Western lie about it? And why is the topic of a school gaining or losing accreditation considered newsworthy? It seems clear that accreditation is not just a catchphrase. In a real sense, whether or not non-accredited programs provide the same quality as accredited ones is irrelevant. The important question is, what does accreditation do for you?

Top Five Benefits of Earning Your Degree From an Accredited Institution and Program:

1. Meet the Criteria for Graduate School and Job Applications
If you want to advance your formal education further or qualify for certain jobs, accreditation is a must.

2. Be Eligible for Federal Financial Aid
Federal financial aid programs are exclusively reserved for students at accredited institutions.

3. Transfer Credits to Another Institution
Accredited institutions typically will accept transfer credits only from other institutions that have been likewise accredited.

4. Qualify for Tuition Assistance Plans
Some employers will only grant tuition assistance if you’re studying through an accredited program.

5. Earn Professional Licensure
Depending on your field of specialty, a degree from an accredited program may be a prerequisite for professional licensure.

The Results Are Clear

Despite assertions to the contrary from non-accredited institutions and programs, accreditation really does add tangible value to your nursing degree. Since all degrees are not created equal, it’s up you to ensure your nursing degree offers the best possible value.

One final word of caution: even if your overall institution is accredited, you will also want to make sure that the program itself is accredited. In the example of Virginia Western, the institution itself retained accreditation, but this did not help the nursing program’s loss of accreditation by a national association. Furthermore, not all accrediting bodies are recognized equally, so make sure that the program is up to par.

** EDITOR`S NOTE: Nursing Schools and universities offering accredited online degrees and on-campus programs featured on RnDegrees.net are accredited by accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. To check the accreditation of an institution or program that interests you visit the the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) online institutional database. By entering the institution`s name or state you can conduct a search and identify if it is accredited by a recognized and reliable accrediting agency.

Earn Your Advanced Nursing Degree Online
Today`s nurses are able to advance from LPN all the way through Master`s in Nursing degrees entirely online. Reshape your nursing career while you work with no classes to attend, no traffic or parking to worry about. Earn your degree when and where you want, 24/7 from the nation`s leading colleges and universities:
Explore Online Nursing Programs

Featured Nursing Programs The College Network Online LPN to RN Degree LPN to BSN Degree Online Paramedic to RN Bridge Program Online RN to BSN Degree RN to MSN Bridge Programs MS in Nursing/Management

Top Nursing Schools  Indiana State Univ.  University of Phoenix  Walden University  University of Cincinnati  Kaplan University

The College Network

Online

Start your nursing career with The College Network. Earn your NLNAC/CCNE Accredited nursing degree online from one of our partner universities: Regis University, Indiana State University, Angelo State University and more at 1/2 the cost and time of traditional universities with no campus attendance, no wait list and local clinicals.

Programs:

• LPN/LVN to RN - AS in Nursing (Licensed LPN/LVNs only)
• LPN/LVN to RN - BS in Nursing - Indiana St. - (Licensed LPN/LVNs only)
• Paramedic to RN

Kaplan University

Campus

Advance your career and get the distinct competitive advantage you need with an online degree from Kaplan University. And do it without missing a day of work.

Programs:

• MS in Nursing
• RN to MS in Nursing
• RN to BS in Nursing

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

University of Phoenix

Campus

As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.

Programs:

• M.S. in Nursing
• MS in Nursing (RN Required)
• BS in Nursing (RN Required)

Campus Locations:

Elk Grove
Gardena
Murrieta
Online
Bakersfield
Woodland Hills
San Jose
Ontario
Fairfield
Costa Mesa
Los Angeles
Pasadena
Lancaster
Fresno
Oakland
Diamond Bar
Roseville
Lathrop
San Francisco
Salida
Sacramento
Rancho Cordova
Livermore
Palm Desert

Walden University

Online

Balance your personal and professional commitments while earning a respected Ph.D., master's degree, or bachelor's degree online at Walden University. Programs offered in management, education, psychology and health and human services.

Programs:

• B.S. in Nursing (BSN)
• Post-Masters Certificates in Nursing - Nursing Education
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) - General

University of St. Mary

Online

Give your career a boost with University of Saint Mary. We offer online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels to help make your educational and professional goals a reality.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Kaplan College - KHE

Campus

Don't wait another day to take the next step forward in your career. Kaplan College can give you the real-world knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen field.

Programs:

• Diploma: Vocational Nursing
• Diploma: Nurse Assistant Training Program
• Diploma: Patient Care Assistant/Technician

Campus Locations:

Vista
San Diego
Chula Vista
Riverside
Stockton
Bakersfield

American Career College

Campus

American Career College (ACC) offers hands-on training that will prepare students for careers in the healthcare industry at three campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County, California. ACC's programs combine classroom lectures and hands-on training to prepare students for a Diploma or Associate of Occupational Science degree.

Programs:

• Vocational Nursing
• Medical Assistant
• Associate of Occupational Science in Respiratory Therapy

Campus Locations:

Los Angeles
Anaheim
Ontario

Chamberlain College of Nursing

Campus

Take the first step toward advancing your nursing career. Chamberlain College of Nursing offers a highly respected degree coupled with clinical learning experience in your local area.

Programs:

• Master of Science in Nursing
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)

Campus Locations:

Addison

California College San Diego

Campus

California College San Diego (CCSD) offers degree programs in Medical Specialties, Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Business Management and Accounting, Computer Technology and Networking, Computer Programming, and Computer Science. Online programs are offered by our affiliated college, Stevens-Henager College, Salt Lake City/Murray.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing (Online)
• Master of Science in Nursing Education (Online)
• Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing Administration

Campus Locations:

National City
San Diego
San Marcos

West Coast University

Campus

Achieve your educational and professional goals with help from West Coast University. We offer accelerated Health Care Administration degrees designed for working adults like you.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• LVN to BSN
• RN to BSN

Campus Locations:

Anaheim
Ontario

Carrington College California

Campus

Carrington College California offers the programs you need to begin a career in healthcare. Choose from Healthcare, Massage Therapy, Dental Assisting, Pharmacy Technology, or Veterinary Services.

Programs:

• AS in Registered Nursing
• AS in Vocational Nursing
• Certificate in Vocational Nursing

Campus Locations:

Sacramento
Antioch
San Jose
San Leandro
Pleasant Hill
Emeryville
Citrus Heights
Stockton

Santa Barbara Business College

Campus

California is home to beautiful landscapes, a diverse population and countless things to do. Santa Barbara Business College is a California technical school that helps people just like you learn skills for their career. After all, without a good career, it can be difficult to enjoy all the wonderful things California has to offer.

SBBCollege is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. For information on graduation rates, median debt of graduates who completed these programs and other important information, visit http://www.sbbcollege.edu/consumerinformation/disclosures.php. SBBCollege offers financial aid to those who qualify.

Programs:

• Vocational Nursing
• Medical Assisting Diploma
• Medical Assisting Associate

Campus Locations:

Santa Maria
Rancho Mirage
Ventura
Santa Barbara

Career Colleges of America

Campus

Get your career started with Career Colleges of America. We have four campuses in the Los Angeles area offering a wide variety of allied health training programs.

Programs:

• Vocational Nurse
• Nurse Assistant
• Medical Assistant

Campus Locations:

South Gate
Gardena
San Bernardino
Los Angeles

Intercoast Colleges

Campus

Get your career started with Intercoast Colleges. We offer a number of certificate programs in a variety of fields, including medical, allied health, massage therapy, nursing, and electrical training.

Programs:

• Vocational Nursing
• Medical Assistant

Campus Locations:

Fairfield
Orange
Carson
West Covina
Elk Grove

Roseman University

Online

The USN accelerated online program offers accelerated nursing education that allows you to earn a BSN in just 14 months. This new program blends the personal convenience of online course study with enriching clinical learning in Henderson, Nevada.

Programs:

• Accelerated BSN

Grand Canyon University

Campus

Earn your degree online with Grand Canyon University. We offer approximately 100 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs that can be completed 100% online. Degree programs are available in the fields of education, nursing and health sciences, business, fine arts and production, and liberal arts.

Programs:

• M.S. in Nursing: Health Care Informatics (Bridge)
• M.S. in Nursing: Health Care Informatics
• M.S. in Nursing: Public Health (Bridge)

Campus Locations:

Phoenix

Institute of Technology

Campus

You can get started on a new career with Institute of Technology. We offer diploma and associate degree programs for careers in the culinary, technical, medical, business, and legal fields.

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.it-colleges.edu/disclosure

Programs:

• Vocational Nursing-Diploma
• Medical Billing/Coding Specialist
• Professional Medical Assistant

Campus Locations:

Redding
Citrus Heights
Clovis
Stockton
Modesto

Summit College

Campus

Get your career started with an education from Summit College. We offer programs in legal office assisting, licensed vocational nursing, office administration, administrative and clinical medical assisting, medical billing and coding, dental assisting, and accounting assisting.

Programs:

• Licensed Vocational Nurse
• Medical Assistant - Administrative & Clinical

Campus Locations:

Colton
Anaheim

Keiser University

Campus

Keiser University eCampus Online offers degrees in fields that are in high demand and provides job placement assistance to all its students and alumni.

Programs:

• Nursing, MS
• Medical Assisting, AS
• Health Services Administration, AA (Online)

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

Saint Peter's College

Online

Saint Peter's College has prepared its students for academic excellence and professional success for over one hundred years. Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to providing each student with the opportunity for educational and spiritual enrichment. That same commitment to individual support is now available to learners everywhere via the new online degree programs offered by the College.

Programs:

• RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Stratford Career Institute

Online

Stratford Career Institute can help you earn your diploma from home in as little as six months, thanks to their proven study methods.

Programs:

• Health Care Aide
• Medical Office Assistant

CBD College

Campus

Get career training with CBD College. We offer an associate degree in vocational nursing, plus diploma programs for careers in the fields of medical massage therapy/physical therapy, pharmacy tech, surgical technology, and vocational nursing.

Programs:

• Associate of Applied Sciences in Vocational Nursing
• Vocational Nursing

Campus Locations:

Los Angeles

Saint Xavier University

Campus

“Success with Purpose” is the hallmark of a Saint Xavier University education that is grounded in the tradition of liberal arts. SXU offers graduate and post-graduate programs that are recognized and respected by employers and delivered by professional faculty who are experts in their fields. Founded in 1846 by the Sisters of Mercy, SXU is Chicago's oldest Catholic University, and it is recognized as one of the top 40 comprehensive master's universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges 2010.

Programs:

• MSN in Clinical Leadership
• MSN in Executive Leadership
• Nurse Educator Certificate

Campus Locations:

Chicago

Everest College

Campus

Develop the skills to succeed in today's highly competitive business environment. Everest College can prepare you for a rewarding career in some of today's hottest fields.

Programs:

• Diploma - Medical Assistant
• Medical General
• Diploma - Medical Administrative Assistant

Campus Locations:

Los Angeles
Ontario
Torrance
Alhambra
Gardena
LA Puente
San Jose
San Bernardino
Santa Ana
Hayward
Anaheim
San Francisco
Reseda

Platt College

Campus

Turn your talents into a career. Nationally recognized and accredited Platt College offers degree programs in Graphic Design, Multimedia, IT Networking and Paralegal.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting
• Respiratory Therapy Associate of Science
• Medical Administrative Specialist

Campus Locations:

Riverside
Ontario
Alhambra

Heald College

Campus

Heald College offers 18-month associate degree programs that will prepare you for a career in Business, Technology, or Healthcare. Small class sizes, hands-on instruction.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting
• Medical Office Administration

Campus Locations:

San Francisco
Concord
Salinas
Milpitas
Fresno
Stockton
Rancho Cordova
Salida
Hayward
Roseville

UEI College

Campus

UEI College can give you the real world medical, business, and technology skills you need to start a rewarding career. Let us know how we can assist you with your personal growth by helping you train for your perfect career.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant

Campus Locations:

Fresno
Stockton
Bakersfield
Gardena
Riverside

Milan Institute

Campus

Successful careers begin at the Milan Institute. We offer quality hands-on training, experienced faculty and a staff committed to helping you realize your goals.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting
• Administrative Medical Assistant

Campus Locations:

Visalia
Indio
Bakersfield
Clovis

Empire College

Campus

Empire College, located in Santa Rosa, California, can give you the career training you need to launch or advance your career in the Business, Law, Technology, or Medical fields.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting

Campus Locations:

Santa Rosa

WyoTech

Campus

The career-focused programs at WyoTech can give you the hands-on training you need to succeed. Program areas includemechanics, technician training, and technology.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant
• Medical General

Campus Locations:

Long Beach

Mayfield College

Campus

Give your career a boost with an education from Mayfield College. Our academic programs include medical front office, computer support technician, and general office management.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant

Campus Locations:

Cathedral City