Hybrid Accreditation
Hybrid Accrediting agencies set standards for both specialized programs at large institutions and freestanding institutions. Students attending schools or programs with this accrediting stamp of approval can be sure that the education they are receiving has been carefully evaluated by professionals.
The following accrediting agencies are considered "hybrid." These organizations review units and programs within a post-secondary institution, as well as specialized or vocational schools. Remember: if you attend a Hybrid Accredited school you may not be able to transfer your credits to a school with a different accreditation so before enrolling, make sure that the institution has the programs, faculty, and financial aid package you desire.
The American Academy for Liberal Education (AALE)
The American Academy for Liberal Education is a national association accrediting institutions offering a liberal arts education. The institutions must meet all the Academy's strict requirements, including tough educational, financial and administrative standards. All universities, colleges, and liberal arts programs are eligible for accreditation application, though not all meet the educational standards created by the AALE.
An institution accredited by the AALE is usually held with very high esteem in the academic community. Students at AALE accredited universities are required to go through a comprehensive set of courses, to abide by the tradition of the well rounded liberal arts education. If a school is accredited by the American Academy for Liberal Arts, parents and students can expect course offerings in many different areas other than a student's chosen major.
AALE is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as an accreditor of higher education institutions. It is a non-profit organization offering both full accreditation and provisional accreditation to schools of interest.
The American Academy for Liberal Education is recognized by the United States Department of Education.
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The American Academy for Liberal Education (AALE)
Back to the TopThe American Bar Association (ABA)
The American Bar Association is the governing body over all certifications and schools in the law field in the United States. It functions on the philosophy that schools under its umbrella of accreditation should not only meet standards, but should seek to exceed the requirements set by the association. The council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar is a programmatic accreditor, focusing only on the portion of a school dealing with law education.
There are 193 law programs approved by the American Bar Association. All but one of these schools offers a J.D. degree, or Juris Doctor Degree. The other one offers a more advanced degree, beyond a J.D. In order to become fully accredited by the Bar Association, a program must first go through provisional approval for two years, which allows the association and the program leaders to make changes needed for accreditation.
Once approved fully, a law school must continue to abide by the rules and regulations of the Bar Association. At all times, a law school is required to advance into newly set requirements as well.
The American Bar Association is recognized by the United States Department of Education.
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The American Bar Association (ABA)
Back to the TopThe American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABSFE)
The American Board of Funeral Service Education is recognized as the only national academic accreditation agency for college and university programs in Funeral Service and Mortuary Science Education by both the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. ABFSE focuses on programmatic accreditation, rather than institutional accreditation. ABSFE became an independent accrediting agency in 1962. There are a total of fifty-six accredited programs in the United States accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. Thirteen of these programs are dedicated exclusively to funeral service education.
The American Board of Funeral Service Education is made up of one representative from each of its accredited programs, along with representatives from the National Funeral Directors' Association, the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards, and the general public. The board functions as a peer review board, making decisions as a group, to assure accountability in uphold the quality of funeral service training.
The American Board of Funeral Service Education is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
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The American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABSFE)
Back to the TopThe Association of Theological Schools (ATS)
Accredited institutions under the umbrella of the Association of Theological Schools offer post-baccalaureate degree programs that train professionals for work in the field of ministry. Many graduates of ATS schools become church leaders and theological researchers. All ATS accredited schools must meet or exceed pre-determined standards and must reside in either the United States or Canada.
The accrediting council of the Association of Theological Schools is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as a major overseer of quality theological education. Ministry professionals educated in ATS colleges and universities include a great many different branches of the Christian tradition, including protestant, Orthodox and Roman Catholic believe systems. There are also a wide range of doctrinal, and theological perspectives respected and taught within ATS institutions.
In order for a graduate program to be considered as an accreditation candidate, the board members of ATS must review the schools goals and academic integrity. After a school is considered, that institution must go through a self-review process.
The Association of Theological Schools is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
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The Associate of Theological Schools (ATS)
Back to the TopThe Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE)
The Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education is one of a kind. It oversees the unique, internationally known, method of early childhood education known as Montessori. The accrediting method is recognized internationally for setting the standards in Montessori teacher training.
The MACTE's mission is to improve teacher education by accrediting training programs which meet established standards. MACTE also aims to be a resource to developing training programs, and unify standards for all Montessori programs. These standards include an integrated program of both academic and practical experiences in training. Each individual program must agree on the Montessori mission, adhere to the Montessori curriculum and commit to responsible financial management.
All teachers going through Montessori training must complete at least one year of course work and professional practice in order to graduate and actually work in a school. The accrediting council oversees that all schools offering this training are following the recommended time commitment and course requirements for future teachers.
The Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education is recognized by the United States Department of Education.
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The Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE)
Back to the TopThe National Association of Art and Design (NASAD)
The National Association of Schools of Art and Design is an accrediting agency governing over college level schools of the visual arts. There are nearly 250 schools distinguished with the stamp of approval by this association. NASAD is a national accrediting agency for the field of art and design, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Members on the board of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design have the opportunity to evaluate the curriculum within the art field and push new standards to improve art education to a new level. The association also provides information, such as statistical research, professional development for teachers, and policy analysis, so the public can see the improvements in the field of art education.
NASAD collaborates with sister associations, such as the American Craft Council, the American Institute of Graphic Artists, the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design, the Industrial Designers Society of America and the National Art Education Association. Together, all of these organizations create and participate in national dialogue about art education standards.
The National Association of Schools of Art and Design is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
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The National Association of Art and Design (NASAD)
Back to the TopThe National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD)
Since the National Association of Schools of Dance was founded in 1981 they've gained 60 schools under their accreditation wing. These include colleges, conservatories, and universities. NASD is an institutional accrediting agency, focusing on the body of the school, rather than individual programs.
All programs accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance are required to go through an application process and a peer review process. The National Association of Schools of Dance is the major accreditor of dance schools in the United States. Because of its highly respected place in the world of dance, NASD establishes the national standards set for all undergraduate and graduate degrees in dance.
All professions require hard work and a bit of talent to succeed, but dance is one in which time and training is essential for success. In order to maintain the high standards of the profession, the National Association of Schools of Dance allow only the best schools to succeed in the business. The central purpose of schools of dance, and that of the NASD, is to create a place where talent and skill can grow together through specific, dedicated training
The National Association of Schools of Dance is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
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The National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD)
Back to the TopThe National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
There are about 610 schools of music with accreditation status under the National Association of Schools of Music . Most of these schools are college level, with a few comprising a group of precollege level music training programs. The NASM is the sole national accrediting agency for music education.
The National Association of Schools of Music has quite the reputation for quality assurance. Since 1924 the association has been establishing national standards for music schools, colleges, universities, and conservatories, as well as providing research to contribute to the professional development of music education.
Accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music involves an extensive peer review process. Accreditation by the NASM is not only a sign of quality education, but a vehicle for schools to get the word out about their programs. Once a school has been accredited by the NASM, the institution's information is given to potential students by the association's publications program.
The National Association of Schools of Music is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
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The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
Back to the TopThe National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)
Shakespeare once said, "Life is a stage." The National Association of Schools of Theater works every day to make sure people don't forget how important it is to see the reflection of life on stage. With approximately 135 schools of theatre accredited, NAST aims to maintain and improve high standard of age old art of theater education.
The association's arm of accreditation extends across both the college level and pre-college level, and also provides research to the public on theater related studies. The NAST was established in 1969 to improve theater education and also to make sure the professional nature of theater production is maintained.
As a national accrediting association, the NAST's authority sweeps only over the programs of theater, rather than entire institutions (unless the institution is exclusively theater driven). All programs with accreditation from the NAST have voluntarily applied for the honor, and the ones who have the seal of approval have shown a reputation of high quality theater education.
The National Association of Schools of Theatre is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
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The National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)
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