Accreditation
Once you have found a number of universities, it is important to check whether the program(s) you have your eye on are accredited. Education in the U.S. is not regulated at the federal level, so there is no national accreditation like in the Netherlands. American universities are often accredited by region, and sometimes by discipline.
Always check if the university is accredited and if so, by which organization(s). It is also important to check if there are separate professional organizations in your field that accredit faculties; if so, check to see if the faculty at the institution you are interested in are accredited.
Below are the best-known accrediting organizations. Do you have doubts about a university’s accreditation? You can always contact us for further advice.
Nationale accreditation organizations
- US Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education
- Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
Please note whether the accreditation organization is recognized by the US Department of Education or CHEA.
Regional accreditation organizations
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges
- Higher Learning Commission (Midwest, formerly the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools)
- Northwest Accreditation Commission
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Specific professional organizations by field are
- Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (including applied science and computing)
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
- American Bar Association (law)
- Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Accreditation
- National Architecture Accreditation Board
- Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration