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How to Find Out if an Online Business Program is Accredited

By , About.com Guide

Earning a business degree from on online institution that isn't accredited is a waste of time. Most employers and higher education institutions will not recognize a degree that was not earned from an accredited online college or university. You can find out whether or not a business program or institution is accredited by following these four simple steps:
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Less Than 5 Minutes

Here's How:

  1. Visit the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs by pasting this link in your browser:

    http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx
  2. Enter the name of the institution you are researching. Leave the "Address" and "City" fields blank.
  3. Hit the "Search" button at the bottom of the page.
  4. The institution's accreditation information will appear on the results page. Information may include institutional accreditation (for the whole school) or specialized accreditation (for programs or departments within the school.)

Tips:

  1. Learn more about accreditation and why it's important.
  2. Visit eLearners to learn more about the different types of accreditation (national, regional, and specialized.)
  3. Visit Online Colleges and Universities to learn more about finding the right accredited online college and to get a list of highly recognized online colleges and universities.

What You Need

  • A computer with an Internet connection
  • The name of the school or business program you are researching

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