University Accreditations | Capella University (2024)

FAQs

University Accreditations | Capella University? ›

According to the school's website, Capella University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Regional accreditation is the most prestigious accreditation.

To determine the accreditation status of any college or university, the Commission uses a publication entitled Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education (AIPE) to verify accreditation. To obtain a copy, please visit the AIPE website at www.acenet.edu. This publication is revised and published annually.

Considered the most prestigious and widely-recognized type of accreditation, regionally-accredited schools are reviewed by their designated regional agency. Nationally-accredited agencies review institutions of a similar type, such as career, vocational, and technical (art & design, nursing, etc.) schools.

Accreditation is the recognition from an accrediting agency that an institution maintains a certain level of educational standards.

Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

The United States is divided into six accreditation regions: New England, Middle States, North Central, Southern, Western and Northwest. Seven accrediting commissions operate in these regions. All regional accrediting commissions review entire institutions, as opposed to programs or schools within institutions.

Harvard's is accredited by the New England Commision of Higher Education (NECHE). Finally, if you click on the accreditor name, you'll be able to see if it's a regional accreditor. NECHE is a regional accrediting organization.

U.S. Recognized Accrediting Organizations

Institutional and programmatic accrediting organizations that are or have been recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) or both.

For someone looking to take a more vocational or technical path, nationally accredited schools may be ideal. But when it comes to other criteria, regionally accredited schools also have many benefits, most notably a higher academic reputation and ability to easily transfer credits.

Attending an unaccredited program can mean that you will not be eligible for federal financial aid, you will not be able to transfer credits to another school, and you will not be able to obtain appropriate professional licensure in your field.

Is Penn State an accredited university? ›

Penn State has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), a national institutional accrediting organization, since 1921. MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Legitimate accrediting agencies are recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the U.S. Department of Education. These agencies certify that schools meet certain standards of academic excellence.

Yes, Capella University is a respected institution.

Since its founding in 1993, it has earned a reputation for offering students all across the country and abroad flexible, excellent education. The Higher Learning Commission, a key accrediting body in the American educational system, granted it accreditation.

Explanation: There's a common misconception that all for-profit schools like Capella University are diploma mills. Many people think a degree from Capella holds no value to employers. But as long as the school is accredited, the degree will have value in an employer's eyes.

Misuse of Education Funds

Capella University faced allegations of misusing education funds, including financial aid and tuition payments. Plaintiffs claimed that the university mishandled these funds, leading to financial implications for both students and the institution.

Not every program or school is accredited. To become accredited, an institution has to meet several standards of excellence set by an accrediting organization. These standards can include academic quality, ethics, integrity, learning experience, and student experience, among others.

An accredited school has gone through a rigorous check by an authority on education to make sure the school meets their standards and is qualified to teach students the programs they are offering. A degree from an accredited school is valuable. One from an unaccredited school or program is worthless.

All Harvard undergraduate and graduate schools, as well as the professional schools, are accredited under Harvard University by the New England Commission of Higher Education. A few of the graduate professional schools have additional specialized accreditation, which are listed below.