What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is a certification by a recognized body that an institution has voluntarily undergone a comprehensive study and peer examination that has demonstrated that certain established standards have been met. Accreditation of an on-line university guarantees that the learning it provides is of a uniform and sound quality.

Ashwood University's Accreditation

Ashwood University has full accreditation status. We have been accredited by two recognized accreditation institutions, the World Online Education Accrediting Commission (WOEAC) and the Board of Online Universities Accreditation (BOUA). These accreditation agencies are committed to improving the educational standards of on-line universities by establishing stringent quality standards. Both are among the largest non-governmental accreditation agencies, and have members from all
over the United States.

The Importance of Accreditation for a University

The accreditation of a university ensures its credibility and standing in
the eyes of the general public. Accreditation gives assurance to the public, in particular to prospective students, that a university has been found to meet certain quality educational standards and criteria.

Accreditation’s Benefits for the Students

Students receive the following benefits with an accredited university:

	Assurance that the institution is meeting certain educational quality standards
	Reasonable grounds for believing that the institution will continue to meet certain standards
	Assurance that their degrees will be widely accepted by employers, professional associations, other colleges, and universities
	A reasonable belief that their degree will yield the benefits associated with sound, high-quality educational standards

Qualifying for Accreditation

The accreditation board establishes a defined set of rules and criteria
that institutions are required to meet in order to get accreditation status. The accrediting board evaluates each institution in terms of its mission, educational practices, administration, financial stability, policies, and student services. Only those institutions fulfilling accreditation requirements under these categories are granted accreditation.

The Agencies or Boards that Grant Accreditation

Accreditation is granted only to those institutions that fulfill the rigorous standards defined by the accreditation agencies or boards. Institutions that receive accreditation benefit in the form of being identified as providing quality education to students worldwide. There are several
non-governmental accrediting agencies or boards that have established certain educational standards and are helping institutions to build on-line educational standards. The organizations performing accreditation
services include:

	Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSACS)
	New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
	North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
	Northwest Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (NASCU)
	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
	Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
	Board of Online Universities Accreditation (BOUA)
	Universal Council for Online Education Accreditation (UCOEA)
	International Accreditation Agency for Online Universities (IAAOU)
	World Online Education Accrediting Commission (WOEAC)
All these boards and agencies are well-known in their respective fields. Institutions receiving their accreditation hold the same level of credibility and recognition worldwide.