Licensure simply gives an institution the legal right to function (to offer online degrees and/or campus based programs). While there may be some standards required for educational licensure, they are generally pretty minimal. As a result, licensure should not be viewed as a guarantee of educational quality. In other words, be wary of schools, colleges or universities which talk about state licensure rather than accreditation.

It is also important to understand that some colleges and universities...most often online colleges and universities...claim accreditation from agencies which are not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Although a few unrecognized agencies may make an honest attempt to evaluate colleges, accreditation by such organizations is effectively meaningless as far as most employers and accredited colleges are concerned.

For instance, most schools and colleges will not hire staff who do not hold appropriate degrees from colleges and universities accredited by recognized accreditation agencies.

Accredited colleges and universities will almost never accept transfer credit for courses completed at unaccredited colleges or colleges. And, they do not differentiate between colleges with no accreditation at all and those with so-called accreditation offered by unrecognized agencies.

Of course, students who want a degree only for personal satisfaction may initially not think accreditation is of much importance. But, if they reconsider, even those students should want to earn a degree that is viewed as a valuable credential; a degree that demonstrates that they have completed a rigorous academic program; a degree from a college or university that has proven that it meets the highest educational standards. That is why students should always find out which agency accredits a college they are considering, and go to the U.S. Department of Education website to be sure that the agency is government recognized.

Nobody can promise that, just because it's accredited, you'll be happy at an individual college or university. But accreditation does virtually guarantee you the advantages of qualified instructors and a well conceived curriculum. And, it means that employers are likely to recognize your degree as a meaningful credential which demonstrates motivation and expertise.