Where To Start
Why Our Accreditation is Important to You
In 1994, Rasmussen College, then a Nationally Accredited school, began a multi-year process to earn the right to become a Regionally Accredited college. We received approval from the Higher Learning Commission in 2001, and were recognized as a Regionally Accredited institution.
“The most recognized and accepted type of accreditation in the United States is Regional Accreditation. Generally, college credits or degrees received at a Regionally Accredited institution are accepted by other Regionally Accredited colleges or universities (non-regionally accredited programs are not as accepted).”
-- Back2College.com
You get the best of both worlds at Rasmussen College!
We care about the quality of your education. That’s why when we received our approval to become Regionally Accredited, we made sure we didn’t lose the qualities that set us apart as a Nationally Accredited school. See the chart below for an easy-to-read explanation of the benefits of our combined accreditation.
Learn more:
Our Accreditations and Approvals
For more information on our accreditation status, please call (888) 549-6755.
The Value of Accreditation
In 1994, Rasmussen College, then a Nationally Accredited school, began a multi-year process to earn the right to become a Regionally Accredited College. When Rasmussen received approval from the Higher Learning Commission in 2001, and was recognized as a Regionally Accredited Institution, we made the conscious decision to maintain the quality that distinguishes a Nationally Accredited School, while embracing the new qualities inherent in our Regionally Accredited Institutional peers.
Below are several of the key characteristics that make Regionally Accredited Colleges and Nationally Accredited Schools different. Rasmussen College has the best of both worlds to serve our students!
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Regionally Accredited Colleges & Universities |
Nationally Accredited Schools |
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Schools of Similar Accreditation |
Regionally Accredited Institutions in Minnesota: • Rasmussen Colllege • University of Minnesota • Minnesota State University, Mankato • St. Cloud State University • St. Thomas University 
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Nationally Accredited Schools in Minnesota: • Regency Beauty Institute • Minnesota School of Business (MSB) • Minneapolis Business College • Globe College • Sister Rosalind Gefre Schools of Massage |
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Transferabilty of Credits
| While every institution individually evaluates transfer credits, generally speaking transfer credits from a Regionally Accredited Institution are more likely to be accepted at other schools. |
Credits from many nationally accredited schools are typically not recognized by Regionally Accredited Institutions. | |
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Tuition Reimbursement |
Many Minnesota based employers will only offer tuition reimbursement opportunities for education received at Regionally Accredited Institutions. |
A number of employers in the state of Minnesota do not reimburse credits from national accredited schools. | |
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Quality of Faculty |
Regionally Accredited Institutions are required to have 67% of all faculty achieve at least one degree level higher than the highest level offered at their institution. |
Faculty credentials can vary by institution and can include experience in the field rather than the degree in which they are teaching. | |
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Ease of Credit Acceptance |
Many Regionally Accredited Institutions limit the schools from which they will accept transfer credits. | Nationally Accredited schools typically choose to accept transfer credits from a wider variety of institutions. |
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General Education Requirements |
Many Regionally Accredited Institutions place emphasis on skills such as communication, problem solving, the ability to find and evaluate information as integral to their programs. These are key skills to employers. |
Nationally Accredited schools typically do not have as many general education courses focusing more on learning the skills you need to get your first job but may miss some of the skills required for advancement. | |
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Published Placement Statistics |
Regionally Accredited Institutions are not required to track or publish the placement statistics related to their graduates. Therefore, some Regionally Accredited Institutions do not feel accountable for placement. | Nationally Accredited schools are required to publish their placement rates and are evaluated based upon their ability to produce placed graduates. |
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Student Satisfaction |
From a regulatory perspective, Regionally Accredited Institutions are not held to specific requirements as it relates to retention rates or student satisfaction. | Nationally Accredited schools are held accountable to the retention rates of their students which ultimately involves how the student feels about the school's academics, service, support and quality. |
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Rasmussen College is Accredited By:
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges & Schools (NCA)
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602-2504
800-621-7440
www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org
CAHIIM & AHIMA Accreditations
The Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education, (CAHIIM) in cooperation with The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), accredits the Rasmussen College Health Information Technician program offered at the Eagan, Mankato, Eden Prairie, Brooklyn Park, and St. Cloud Campus locations.
As a new campus location, the Rockford, IL campus is in the Application for Candidacy process and will be reviewed for accreditation in 2007. At that time, students will be informed of the programs accreditation status. Graduates may not sit for the AHIMA credentialing examination until accreditation has been granted to the campus.The Rasmussen College Practical Nursing Program is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
Upon satisfactory completion of the Practical Nursing Program requirements, students will be eligible to make application to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for practical nurses. Upon passing the NCLEX-PN Exam, the PN candidate is eligible for licensure, provided the candidate has satisfied all Minnesota Board of Nursing requirements. The Minnesota Board of Nursing may be reached:
State of Minnesota Board of Nursing
2829 University Avenue SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414-3253
Email:nursing.board@state.mn.us
Phone: (888)
243-2690 or (612) 617-2270
Rasmussen College is licensed by:
Minnesota Higher Education Services Office
1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350
St. Paul, MN
(651) 642-0567
http://www.mheso.state.mn.us
State of Wisconsin Educational Approval Board
310 Price Place
Madison, WI 53707-0567
(608) 266-1996
http://eab.state.wi.us
Illinois Board of Higher Education
Rasmussen College is authorized to operate and grant degrees by the Illinois
Board of Higher Education, 431 East Adams
Springfield, Illinois
62701
(217) 782-3442
http://www.isbe.state.il.us/pbvs/Default.htm
http://www.ibhe.state.il.us/default.htm
Rasmussen College is approved for:
Veterans' Benefits by the Minnesota State Approving Agency
http://www.morris.umn.edu/financialaid/veterans.html
Understanding Accreditation
The foremost purpose of the accreditation process is to ensure the quality of the education provided by public and private colleges.
“Accreditation ensures the quality of an institution or program and assists in its improvement. Plus, if you ever want to transfer credits to an accredited school, you’ll have a hard time getting non-accredited coursework recognized. Other benefits of pursuing accredited education include eligibility for federal and state financial aid; tuition assistance and/or credential recognition by employers; and eligibility to sit for state licensure examinations in professional fields.”
-- Classes USA, Five Steps to Figuring out Accreditation, article
An educational institution that has received accreditation status from an accreditation organization can provide students with:
- A Quality Education: Accreditation status indicates that a college, university, institution, or program meets the standards of quality set by the accreditation organization, in terms of faculty, curriculum, administration, libraries, financial well-being, and student services.
Rasmussen College offers the quality and unprecedented benefits you expect from your education.
- Financial Aid Opportunities: Students are only able to obtain federal financial assistance if the institution they are attending has achieved appropriate accreditation status from an accreditation organization recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE).
- Ability to Transfer Credits Easily: At some point in their education, many students want to transfer to a new college or university. Most often, these students want to transfer the course credits they have already accumulated to the new college or university, allowing them to avoid repeating similar courses and spending unnecessary time and money. Accreditation is an important factor when a college or university is deciding whether to accept transfer credits from a student's previous school. Most colleges and universities will not accept transferred course credits from an institution that has not earned appropriate accreditation status from an accreditation organization.
Rasmussen College has a liberal transfer credit acceptance policy.
- A Promising Professional Future: Most employers prefer job applicants who have received their education from a college or university with the appropriate accreditation status. Many employers also look for employees that have been educated at an appropriately accredited institution when making decisions about business promotions, company advancements, and whether to provide tuition coverage or assistance for employees interested in furthering their education.
Many employers offer tuition reimbursement to graduates of Regionally Accredited institutions.
For more information or questions about our accreditation status, please call (888) 549-6755. One of our Representatives will be happy to speak with you.
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