One of the most important steps in that journey is making sure the school you choose is legitimate. Unfortunately, many first-generation students discover too late that their hard-earned credits or even their degree won’t transfer or count toward their goals. The key to avoiding this mistake comes down to one question: Is your college regionally accredited?
When Colleges Don’t Count
As an educator, I sometimes meet students with transcripts from schools all over the United States. Too often, I have to break the bad news: those units won’t transfer here. The reason? The school they attended wasn’t regionally accredited.
Without regional accreditation, credits can’t be recognized by most universities. That means students may need to start over—costing them both time and money.
Understanding Regional Accreditation
Think of the United States as being divided into seven regions. Each region has its own accrediting commission that sets standards for colleges and universities. If a school meets those standards, it earns regional accreditation.
This process ensures that the education provided meets rigorous quality benchmarks and that credits earned are transferable to other accredited institutions.
How to Check a School’s Accreditation
Before enrolling, always ask:
- What is the accreditation of this institution?
- Is it regionally accredited?
- Through which region?
There are seven regional accrediting bodies, and you can look them up at CHEA.org.
Accreditation in California
- Community Colleges: Accredited by ACCJC (Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges).
- Four-Year Universities: Accredited by WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission).
Accreditation in Other States
Other regions include associations like the Middle States Association and the Southern States Association. They may sound complicated, but checking CHEA.org makes the process straightforward.
Why Regional Accreditation Protects You
Here’s the bottom line:
- Degrees from regionally accredited schools are recognized nationwide.
- All California community colleges, University of California (UC) campuses, and California State Universities (CSUs) are regionally accredited.
- If you earn your degree from one of these institutions, your credits will transfer to other accredited universities across the country.
Don’t be misled—some colleges advertise “accreditation,” but unless it’s regional accreditation, it may not protect your transfer pathway.
If you’re planning your transfer or pursuing higher education, make regional accreditation your first checkpoint. It ensures that your hard work counts everywhere and that your degree opens real doors for your future.
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