Impact of Educational Accreditation on Degree Value: A Comprehensive Guide for Graduates

Understanding the implications of educational accreditation on the value of your degree is crucial for graduates. If a nationally accredited school you graduated from later obtains internationally accredited status, how will this affect your degree?

Understanding Accreditation

First, it's essential to clarify the terms used in accreditation. In the United States, nationally accredited schools used to mean that the accreditor was not regional. However, these terms are now officially discouraged by the federal government. Today, it is standard to refer to accreditors that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Accreditors from outside the U.S. do exist and offer accreditation to schools in different countries. However, there is no global or internationally standardized terminology for these accreditors. Therefore, if you are discussing a school outside the U.S. that has undergone both national and international accreditations, it's important to understand the exact nature of these accreditations and the perceptions they carry.

Perceptions and Value

The impact of these additional accreditations on graduates' qualifications largely depends on the perceptions held by employers and other educational institutions. Assuming there are differences in the prestige of different accreditors, it may indeed provide the school with a reputational boost. This can positively affect how your degree is perceived.

That said, many employers and educational institutions will focus on the effective dates of accreditation and when the degree was conferred. For example, if the new accreditation was obtained after you graduated, it may not significantly affect how your degree is perceived, unless the school's new accreditation is highly regarded in your field.

Accreditation Context and Relevance

It's important to recognize that the value of accreditation is highly context-dependent. In some countries, government-mandated accreditation is required for legal reasons. In other cases, such as when sitting for licensure, only graduates from accredited programs may be eligible. In most academic settings, accreditation matters most to faculty and administrators who use it as a claiming point to differentiate their institution from competitors. However, the real significance of accreditation is often unclear to the general public.

Future Implications

Whether such changes in accreditation add to your credentials depends largely on the institution you apply to for your next degree or the employer you work for. If the new accreditation aligns with the values and standards recognized by your chosen field, it may indeed enhance the perceived value of your degree.

Conclusion

In summary, the impact of additional accreditation on the value of your degree is complex and multifaceted. It depends on the context and how your chosen institution or employer perceives these accreditations. Understanding the specifics of the accreditors involved and their relevance to your field can help you better navigate the implications for your academic and career path.