Part of the college decision making process is researching different institutions and the programs they offer. One important – often overlooked – part of that is knowing if your school and/or degree program is accredited.

What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is a quality assurance process that higher education institutions undergo to ensure their academic programs meet established standards of excellence. In the U.S., this process is overseen by recognized accrediting agencies and monitored by the Department of Education.

There are two types:

• Institutional accreditation - evaluates the entire university
• Programmatic (or specialty) accreditation - focuses on specific departments or programs

Why Does It Matter?

Accreditation affects nearly every part of your college experience:

• Financial Aid - Only students at accredited institutions are eligible for federal financial aid under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965.
• Transfer Credits - Accredited schools are more likely to accept credits from other accredited institutions.
• Graduate School and Employment - Some graduate programs and employers may require degrees from accredited programs.
• Licensure and Certification - Some careers (such as nursing or teaching) may require graduation from an accredited program to sit for licensing exams.

Wichita State’s Accreditation

Wichita State University has been regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1927. In addition, many of Wichita State’s academic programs hold specialized accreditation. The full breakdown of accredited programs is reported by the Office of Assessment & Accreditation.

So next time you're researching a school or talking with an admissions representative, make sure to check the university's accreditation!