Find out if Your School is Accredited & Learn How to Spot a Fake
WHAT IS ACCREDITATION?
Accreditation is a form of certification in which an independent body will verify that a school or academic programme meets minimum academic standards. It ensures that the academic credential a student works so hard to obtain means something substantial, and that it will be recognized as such by employers and other post-secondary institutions. Given the time and monetary cost of a college education, prospective students must make sure their chosen school and/or programme is accredited. Learn more and find out how to determine if a particular school or programme is accredited.
WHAT IS AN ACCREDITATION BODY?
An accreditation body is an authoritative body that performs accreditation. In some instances, its authority is derived from the government. Its primary function is to assess, provide certification, testing, and inspection. Accreditation demonstrates the competence, and performance capability.
Accreditation bodies normally operate as non-profit distributing organisations.
WHAT IS ACHETS INCORPORATED?
"Association for Christian Higher Education and Theological Schools" Formerly, Accreditation Commission for Education in Theology - ACET International
Association for Christian Higher Education and Theological Schools - ACHETS Incorporated is an "Accreditation Body" for Christian Educators and Christian Schools.
ACHETS is a recognized authority on Christian higher education accreditation in Nigeria. No 1 and the best.
ACHETS primarily exists to offer accreditation and network & support services for Christian Educators and Christian Schools across the African continent and the world. The central purpose of ACHETS is to assist member institutions throughout Africa and the world in their quest for quality and excellence in Christian theological education programmes.
ACHETS Incorporated is a non-profit independent accreditation body dedicated to providing a professional, legal and relevant educational accrediting service to Bible Colleges, Seminaries, Christian Universities and Theological Schools in Nigeria and internationally.
ACHETS is duly Incorporated under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a non-profit, Religious, Charitable, and an Educational Institution to operate in Nigeria for religious (Christian) consumption.
HOW BIBLE COLLEGES, SEMINARIES, CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITIES AND THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS GET ACCREDITED
Despite the importance of accreditation, becoming accredited is voluntary. However, any school that has concern for maintaining a student body and delivering a quality education will work toward receiving and keeping accreditation. The exact procedure will depend on which accrediting agency the school seeks accreditation from, but regardless of the agency, the entire process typically takes one to two years to complete.
RECOGNIZING ACCREDITATION
With accreditation being so important, it's no wonder schools want to be accredited. But not all schools can obtain this credential, so they look for shortcuts. One of the popular shortcuts is to obtain accreditation from an organization that has the least rigorous requirements. While not every accrediting agency is expected to establish accreditation requirements that only a handful of schools can meet, they can't make the requirements so easy that any school can meet them. That's why accrediting agencies must be "recognized and empowered under the laws" by the government of the state and by appropriate body.
If a school is accredited by an organization not "recognized and empowered under the laws" by the government of the state and by appropriate body, it's almost as if the school isn't accredited at all. Just as accreditation ensures a school isn't a degree mill, recognition ensures an accrediting agency isn't an accreditation mill. These layers of protection for students help ensure their degree is much more than a simple piece of paper.
WHY ACCREDITATION MATTERS
Accreditation signifies that the educational institution provides a quality education by meeting specific academic standards. These standards typically revolve around the school's ability to provide academic support to its students, the rate in which students are expected to progress, how well students are prepared upon graduation, faculty quality and curriculum requirements. Accreditation ensures that all colleges in that particular region or area that obtain accreditation can compete against each other on a level playing field; for instance, a student won't necessarily get a better education at one college over another. By attending an accredited school or programme, a student knows that they will obtain a certain level of knowledge and training.
Accreditation also increases the likelihood that an external party, such as another school or employer, will recognize the academic credential the students has worked so hard to achieve. Without accreditation, there is no way for an employer, government agency or another school to know that the student didn't just buy a college degree from a degree mill over the weekend. Though that sounds far-fetched, before accreditation came along, it was an entirely possible scenario.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF ATTENDING A NON-ACCREDITED SCHOOL
The consequences of going to a non-accredited school will depend on the exact reason the student enrolls in a course or programme. But generally speaking, if a student attends a school that's not accredited, they will miss out on certain advantages and face the possibility of graduating with a degree, diploma or certificate that is practically worthless.
HOW TO FIND OUT IF YOUR SCHOOL IS ACCREDITED
Students interested in a Bible College, Seminary, Christian University or Theological School should be particularly careful to make sure the school is accredited. Prospective students interested in a particular school or programme should verify its accreditation status as soon as possible, even before applying. This is because there's little point in completing an application, possibly paying an application fee and writing an admissions essay to a school that's not accredited.
But how can a student know for sure?
The following is the process by which prospective students can tell if a particular school is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency.
1. Check the School's Website
Most accredited educational institutions will have a link to their accreditation status on the top, bottom or corner of their front page.
2. Accreditation Logo
Schools without ACHETS ACCREDITED or recognized accreditation logo know they're lacking a very important characteristic, one that most students will demand.
The following is a list of red flags that may signify a school is not accredited or is accredited by an accreditation mill.
a. Very similar name and website appearance to a well-known and accredited school, as if the questionable school is trying to confuse prospective students.
b. Other schools and employers located in the same region have never heard of the school.
c. Claims to be accredited, but the accrediting agency isn't "recognized and empowered under the laws" by the government of the state and by appropriate body.
HOW DOES COLLEGE ACCREDITATION WORK?
Become a Corporate Member and meet the standards and guidelines of the Association for Christian Higher Education and Theological Schools to be eligible
Interested in Membership?
Join now www.becomeamember.achets.com.ng
© by ACHETS Incorporated
Contact Us today
Association for Christian Higher Education and Theological Schools - ACHETS Incorporated is a recognized authority on Christian higher education accreditation in Nigeria. No 1 and the best.
Web: www.achets.com.ng
Phone: +2347063751540, +2348159346786
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