Recognized Degrees
A degree from an accredited university is acknowledged by employers, educational institutions, and professional organizations.
Programmatic Accreditations
Walden has earned programmatic accreditations for several of its online degree programs.
Quality and Improvement
Accreditation indicates that an institution is committed to high standards of quality and continuous improvement.
Specialized Accreditation
Specialized accreditation is given to a college, school, or specific degree program within a university, most often for professional programs that lead to certification or licensure. To receive this type of accreditation, the college, school, or program must demonstrate that it has relevant content, qualified faculty, and adequate resources to meet rigorous accreditation standards set for a specific field, discipline, or profession. By earning this accreditation, the specific program, school, or college demonstrates that it has met the standards that prepare students for advancement in the field.
Walden is proud to have earned specialized accreditations from the following organizations:
SOCIAL WORK
Council on Social Work Education
EDUCATION
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
BUSINESS
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
PUBLIC HEALTH
Council on Education for Public Health
NURSING
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
COUNSELING
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
TECHNOLOGY
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
Accreditation FAQ
An accredited university is one that meets acceptable levels of quality established by a national or regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.* When an institution undergoes the accreditation process, a regional or national accrediting agency approved by the US. Department of Education evaluates the university and conducts peer reviews to assess whether it meets the accreditor’s academic program quality and continuous improvement criteria.
*U.S. Department of Education, Overview of Accreditation in the United States
Accreditation can be divided into two general categories: institutional and specialized or programmatic. Institutional accreditation applies to an institution as a whole, while specialized or programmatic accreditation applies to programs, departments, or schools within an institution.*
*U.S. Department of Education, Overview of Accreditation in the United States
Earning a degree or certificate from an accredited university is a smart choice for many reasons. First, accreditation is a benchmark of quality. Prospective students can be assured the university meets and maintains accepted standards set forth by an independent accrediting body approved by the Department of Education. A university’s accreditation status also affects eligibility for federal financial aid and may be a factor in determining whether credits earned will be accepted for transfer by other institutions. Depending on your career path, you may need to graduate from a university that also offers programs with specialized accreditations in order to seek licensure and certification in your chosen field. Walden University, for example, is regionally accredited at the institutional level by The Higher Learning Commission and holds several specialized accreditations at the college and program levels. For this reason, students should take steps, prior to enrollment, to determine whether their educational preparation will be accepted by any private or governmental entity responsible for licensing or certifying graduates to work in the field for which the educational program is intended.
In order to receive federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education (ED), you need to enroll in a college or university that is nationally or regionally accredited as an institution.