National Accreditation
National accrediting agencies evaluate primarily career, vocational, and trade schools across the United States. As a result, these schools tend to be less expensive, require less general coursework, and feature a more practical, career-oriented curriculum.
The following national accrediting agencies have been approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the US Department of Education.
- Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
- Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET)
- Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
- Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)
- Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools (AARTS)
Accredited Colleges Offering
Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
The Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges is the primary accreditor of private vocational and technical schools in the United States. Recognized by the US Department of Education, ACCSC strives to be an authority on educational quality, provide opportunities for students, and help develop a highly trained, competitive workforce.
Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET)
The Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training evaluates noncollegiate institutions that provide educational resources and training within US corporations or companies. These continuing education and training programs are private career schools, corporate training departments, intensive English teaching programs, trade associations, labor union training programs, religious organizations, public affairs societies, and volunteer organizations. ACCET is officially recognized by the US Department of Education and the International Organization for Standardization.
Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and School reviews independent schools, colleges, and institutions that emphasize professional career training. ACICS works collaboratively with the US Department of Education and the state of the school under review to determine accreditation status. The three organizations act as checks for one another to ensure the highest quality evaluation. ACICS is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)
The Association for Biblical Higher Education mandates that its accredited schools require students to pass a core of biblical and theological studies, along with general studies and professional studies. ABHE is committed to promoting excellence and forging a new mold for Christian education. Along with undergraduate education, a growing number of the ABHE-accredited institutions have established their own seminaries and graduate divisions and conduct academic research. ABHE is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools (AARTS)
The Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic School is an independently run organization made up of rabbinical and Talmudic training experts, and it sets undergraduate and graduate educational standards in the field throughout the United States. The association advocates traditional thought in a modern world through the balance of the old and new. Accredited programs must meet high standards in education, finance, and graduate requirements in order to be considered. AARTS is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
Council on Occupational Education (COE)
The Council on Occupational Education represents regional institutions in the public, private, Job Corps, Army, Navy, Department of Defense, and private industry sectors. Recognized by the US Department of Education, COE oversees more than 430 associate degree- and non-degree-granting education institutions.
Distance Education Training Council (DETC)
The Distance Education & Training Council is a national accrediting agency that promotes and develops distance learning as a viable alternative to traditional learning systems. DETC accredits schools and colleges that encompass over 500 online degrees, correspondence programs, and other forms of distance education that range from very small, local educational institutions, to large multinational operations. The commission accredits schools and colleges by examining their educational, ethical, and business practices, approving only those who meet its strict criteria. DETC is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS)
The National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences is an independent agency that oversees the institutional accreditation of postsecondary schools that offer courses in cosmetology arts and sciences. NACCAS is officially recognized by the US Department of Education.
Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TACCS)
The Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools is a national accrediting agency for US Christian institutions, colleges, universities, and seminaries. TRACS is a voluntary, nonprofit organization founded in 1979 that maintains relations worldwide with the International Network for Quality Assurance. TACCS is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
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Questions & Answers
It is the accreditation service for business schools and programs. You can read more about this type of accreditation here.
If you go to U.S. Department of Education website you will be able to search by state schools that are DETC accredited and then go from there.
There are 132 schools listed in the state of Kentucky.
US Career Institute is accredited by the Distance Education Training Council, which accredits heatlhcare and trade schools. More information about their accreditation can be found on their website.
Individual campuses of Everest College have regional accreditation, such as Everest College Phoenix and Everest College Mesa. Everest's other campuses, and its online programs, are nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. While this is a form of accreditation, Everest students have experienced problems in the past with their credits not transferring to institutions that only accept regionally accredited degree programs. This USA Today article gives an example. With so many online colleges and universities out there that do possess regional accreditation, such as Kaplan University or Western Governors University, perhaps you should look elsewhere to get your degree.
We had not heard of Marygrand High School before your question, but the school certainly looks like a scam. The organization it claims to be accredited by, DLEAC, is not one of the accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. It charges a flat tuition fee of $289 for the diploma, which does not vary based on a student's transfer credits or how long they take to complete the degree. This is because at a diploma mill, whoever signs up and pays the fee gets the degree. The school lists courses a student needs to take in order to graduate, but if you click any of the course descriptions, it just brings up a smaller version of the page you are already on, listing the course names. Finally, Marygrand also operates this site with the same school logo, which looks like a basic blog from the early days of the scam.
