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When searching for online degrees, many students may wonder if there are quality accredited online universities to choose from. Thankfully, the answer is yes. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognizes six regional agencies that establish elevated status for accredited online universities in all areas of the United States. Regions include states in the middle, southern, western and north central areas of the country in addition to those in New England. An additional agency in the west focuses on universities that grant baccalaureate degrees in California, Hawaii and the Territory of Guam. Students in all parts of the country have access to online universities that hold regional accreditation, and many schools hold specialized accreditation as well.
Finding Accredited Online Universities
Performing an online search for accredited online universities is the best way to find a college that will be the perfect match for you. To get you started, here are some of the best schools in each region:
• Kaplan University received accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission (NCA-HLC) in 1997.
• Post University earned accreditation in 1972 from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (NEASC-CIHE).
• Arizona State University earned accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission (NCA-HLC) in 1931. The school holds specialized accreditation for programs in nursing, art and design, psychology, speech-language-hearing, law, music and health services administration.
• Miami Dade College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), a designation that was awarded in 1965. Miami Dade holds specialized accreditation for dental hygiene, radiologic technology, nursing, physical therapy and funeral service education.
• Houston Community College earned accreditation in 1977 from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and it holds specialized accreditation for radiologic technology, dental assisting and physical therapy.
• Liberty University received accredited status from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in 1980, and it holds specialized accreditation for teacher education and nursing. (See: Top 10 Online Education Degree Programs)
• The University of Central Florida has held accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) since 1970, and it has specialized accreditation for programs in clinical psychology, English, speech-language pathology and teacher education.
• The University of Minnesota –Twin Cities has one of the longest standing accreditations from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission (NCA-HLC) with approval that was granted in 1913. The school’s dance and theater programs hold specialized accreditations.
• New York University was granted accreditation in 1921 by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Programs in nursing, dietetics, speech-language pathology, medicine, nurse midwifery, nursing, dental hygiene and dental prosthetics hold specialized accreditation.
• Pennsylvania State University earned accredited status from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) in 1921. The school holds specialized accreditation for its programs in art and design, theater, psychology, English, teacher education, and speech-language pathology at the graduate level.
A university’s status as an accredited institution assures students of access to an educational program that has met and maintains exacting standards. Accredited online universities provide quality programs that help students in all areas of the country reach their educational and career goals.
