One of the most crucial factors to consider when choosing Penn Foster is whether or not it is accredited nationally or regionally at the institution. Usually, the type of accreditation will play a role in areas that may impact you.
Difference Between Regional and National Accreditation
Firstly, we want to explain the difference between Regional and National accreditation. Need to know that the main difference between regional and national accrediting agencies lies in the kind of institutions that they evaluate and accredit. For your information, regional agencies are responsible for accrediting public colleges and universities and major private, nonprofit institutions.
While National agencies accredit private, proprietary schools and specialty institutions such as correspondence schools. There are some recognized national accreditation agencies, including:
- DETC (Distance Education and Training Council)
- ACCSC (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges)
- COE (Council on Occupational Education)
- TRACS (Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission)
- ACCET (Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training)
- ABHE (Association for Biblical Higher Education)
- AARTS (Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools)
- COE (Council on Occupational Education)
- DEAC (Distance Education Accrediting Commission)
- NACCS (National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences)
- ACICS (Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools)
Is Penn Foster Nationally Accredited?
To know whether or not Penn Foster is nationally and regionally accredited, you are able to read the following text.
For Penn Foster High School, it is regionally accredited by the Commission on Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (CSS-MSA) for grades 9 through adult. Also, Penn Foster High School is nationally accredited by the Advanced Accreditation Commission and the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).
For Penn Foster Career School, it is regionally accredited for non-degree granting postsecondary programs by the Commission on Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Also, Penn Foster Career School is nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) too. Additionally, Penn Foster has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
For Penn Foster College, it is nationally accredited for the college programs by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). There are no forms of accreditation guaranteeing that any learning institution is going to accept credits from any school as transfer credits.
If Penn Foster College is not regionally accredited, will you still be able to get a job or transfer credits to another college after we complete a degree program? Keep in mind that Penn Foster College is nationally accredited, and of course their college graduates have been able to get employment and transfer credits to other colleges and universities after completion of their degree programs. But these decisions are up to the discretion of the colleges, universities, or employers. And the students have to check with those entities to determine if they are able to transfer credits or use their degree in a satisfactory capacity. Remember that no form of accreditation guarantees that any learning institution will accept credits from any school as transfer credits.
Penn Foster Accreditation and Affiliations
Penn Foster Career School and High School have obtained both regional and national accreditation. Penn Foster College has obtained national accreditation. Accreditation is a public notification in which an institution and a program meet the quality standards set forth by the accreditor. It means that Penn Foster schools have been evaluated against a predetermined set of criteria set forth by the accrediting body.
DEAC
Penn Foster Career School, High School and College are nationally accredited. It means that Penn Foster has met the high standards needed by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) in Washington. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is listed by the United States Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. They operate with the highest level of integrity, so their graduates can benefit from an accredited education. You are able to read other articles on why DEAC accreditation is so important to your education.
CHEA
Also, the Distance Education Accrediting Commission is a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
MSA CESS
By the The Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA. 267.284.5000 msa-cess.org, Penn Foster Career School is regionally accredited for non-degree granting postsecondary programs and Penn Foster High School is regionally accredited for grades 9 through adult.
Cognia
Penn Foster High School is also accredited by Cognia. Need to know that Cognia offers accreditation and certification, professional learning, assessment, and improvement services to institutions and other education providers. As a global nonprofit working in over 85 countries, Cognia serves 36,000 institutions, almost 25 million students, and five million educators every day. It is the parent organization of NWAC, NCA CASI, and SACS CASI.
IACET
By the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), Penn Foster Career School has been accredited as an Authorized Provider. In getting this accreditation, Penn Foster Career School has demonstrated that it complies with the IACET Standard which is recognized internationally as a standard of good practice. As a result of their Authorized Provider status, then Penn Foster Career School is authorized to offer IACET CEUs for its programs that qualify under the IACET Standard.
CVTEA
You are able to be confident in the credibility of their school. Penn Foster College’s Veterinary Technician Associate Degree Program has full Accreditation with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) via their Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA). This accreditation will represent the highest standard of achievement for veterinary medical education in the United States. Institutions which obtain accreditation confirm their commitment to quality and continuous improvement through a hard and comprehensive peer review.
NC-SARA
By Arizona, Penn Foster College has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. For your information, NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education.
