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 (http://www.ncahlc.org/). Rasmussen College received approval from the Higher Learning Commission (http://www.ncahlc.org/) in 2001, and is recognized as a Regionally Accredited higher learning institution.
For more information on our accreditation status, please call (888) 549-6755.
Below is a chart comparing the differences between Regional Accreditation and National Accreditation.
| Regional Accreditation | National Accreditation | |
|---|---|---|
| Schools of Similar Accreditation |
|
|
| Transferability of Credits | While every institution individually evaluates transfer credits, Regionally Accredited credits are more likely to be accepted by another Regionally Accredited institution. |
Credits from nationally accredited schools may not be recognized by Regionally Accredited higher learning Institutions. |
| Tuition Reimbursement | Many employers will only offer tuition reimbursement opportunities for an education received at a Regionally Accredited Institution. |
A number of employers do not reimburse credits from national accredited schools. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
Understanding Accreditation
The foremost purpose of the accreditation process is to ensure the quality of the education provided by public and private colleges.
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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