When we decide to attend an online school, we have to make sure that the college is accredited. Now, how about Penn Foster? Is this college accredited? Here, we will give you the information about you so that you are confident to be one of the students in Penn Foster.
Penn Foster Accreditation
If you want to study at Penn Foster and you are worried whether this college is accredited or not, then you do not need to have this kind of feeling. It is because Penn Foster is accredited. What is accreditation? It is a public notification that an institution and a program meet the quality standards set forth by the accreditor.
Through the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is a national accrediting body that evaluates online-only and distance-education institutions , Penn Foster is accredited. Since 1974, this college has been accredited and the current accreditation is good until the end of 2020.
However, there is a different about Penn Foster’s accreditation. The most traditional colleges and a lot of online-only institutions are usually evaluated and accredited by regional accrediting commissions.
These bodies give peer review of degree programs. It is done to guarantee that they meet the minimum standards which are needed for students to graduate with a certain level of competence for the are of study that they choose. Accreditation from a regional body is known as a legitimate accreditation.
However, it is important for you to know that national accreditation does not always bring the similar weight. It is important for you as a student because of these reasons.
- If you decide to study elsewhere, it may be difficult for you to transfer your credits.
- In certain fields, your degree may not be recognized as valid.
Penn Foster Career School and High School have got regional and national accreditation. By having accredited, Penn Foster schools and programs have been evaluated through a pre-determined set of criteria set forth by the accrediting body.
Penn Foster Accreditation by DEAC
As we have mentioned earlier, Penn Foster is accredited by DEAC. DEAC stands for Distance Education Accrediting Commission and it is listed by the US department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency. Also, it is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Penn Foster Career School Accreditation by MSA CESS
Penn Foster Career School getsĀ accreditation regionally for non-degree granting postsecondary programs. Besides, regionally, Penn Foster High School gets accreditation for grades 9 through adult by the Commission on Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA.
Penn Foster High School Accreditation by Cognia
Penn Foster High School also gets accreditation from Cognia. Cognia is a non-profit, non-governmental organization. It accredits primary and secondary schools throughout the United States and internationally. In 2006, Cognia was founded. There are more than 36,000 institutions with a total of 25 million students and 5 million educators in around 80 counties are represented by this organization. Previously, Cognia was known as AdvancED. Then, the name Cognia comes from the Latin word cognitio which has the meaning as knowledge. This organization has headquarters in two cities including Alpharetta, Georgia and Tempe, Arizona.
This organization provides certification, accreditation, assessment, professional learning and improvement services to institutions and other education providers. For your information Cognia is the parent organization of some commissions such as the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI).
Penn Foster Career School Accreditation by IACET
Not only accredited by the organizations above, Penn Foster Career School is also accredited as an Authorised Provider by the IACET. IACET stands for International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training.
To get this accreditation, Penn Foster Career School has shown that it meets the ANSI/ IACET Standard which is recognized internationally as a standard of good practice. Because of their Authorized Provider status, Penn Foster Career School has authorization to offer IACET CEUs for its programs which qualify under the ANSI/ IACET Standard. In addition, this college also has authorization to offer IACET CEUs for its career diploma program which qualify under the ANSI/IACET Standard.
Penn Foster College’s Veterinary Technician Associate Degree Program Accreditation by CVTEA
Veterinary Technician Associate Degree Program of Penn Foster College is full accredited with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) through their Committee on Veterinary Technician Education Activities (CVTEA). It represents the highest standard of achievement for veterinary medical education in the United States.
Penn Foster College Approval by Arizona SARA Council (AZ SARA)
Not only having been accredited by some organizations, Penn Foster College has also been approved by Arizona SARA Council to take part in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.
Penn Foster Career School License by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools
By the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools, Penn Foster Career School is licensed. Penn Foster College also gets license from the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education and has authorization to award Associate of Science Degrees, Bachelor of Science Degrees, Undergraduate Certificates and Career Diplomas.
Penn Foster Degree and Undergraduate Certificate Courses Reviews by the ACE College Credit Recommendation Service
There are a lot of Penn Foster Degree and Undergraduate Certificate courses which have been reviewed by the ACE College Credit Recommendation Service. The American Council on Education is the major coordinating body for all the nation’s higher education institutions and they provide leadership and a unifying voice on key higher education issues and to be able to influence public policy through research, advocacy, and program initiatives.
Penn Foster Programs Approval for Veteran’s Education Benefits
There are a lot of Penn Foster programs which are approved for veteran’s education benefits. Reservists may also meet the requirements for veteran’s education benefits. If you want to know whether you are eligible or not or you need more information, you can check with your local or regional VA office or speak with a VA support specialist by calling Penn Foster at 888-427-2900.
Penn Foster Better Business Bureau Accreditation
According to the official website of Penn Foster, Penn Foster is a Better Business Bureau accredited business with a BBB Rating of A+.