That’s especially true if you hold a degree from an accredited college, as that can take you far.
Unaccredited colleges aren’t viewed the same way as accredited colleges, and a degree from one can hold you back in some ways. After all, you won’t qualify for a graduate degree from an accredited college if you have an unaccredited bachelor’s degree. This can not only limit your post-graduate opportunities, but also your career opportunities.
Accreditation can affect your academic and professional life in many more ways. Follow along as we highlight the importance of accreditation and how it affects graduate degrees.
Graduate Degrees Have Never Been So Important
The job market has always been competitive, and that will never change. However, graduate degrees, or advanced degrees, have never been as essential as they are now. Sure, you can get a job with a bachelor’s degree, but graduate degrees are essential in many industries.
A graduate degree can help you circumvent low-paying entry-level jobs after college in many cases. Graduate degrees are especially necessary for nurses, doctors, and lawyers. Even if you start at an entry-level job, a graduate degree can help you advance your career quickly.
It’s been said that graduate degrees are the new bachelor's degrees, which may be exaggerated, but it’s important. However, none of this is possible unless you start your journey with an accredited college. An accredited, accessible college can alter your trajectory and career path for many reasons, including:
1. Enjoy a Better Academic Experience
Both accredited and unaccredited colleges can offer students incredible experiences. However, accredited colleges typically guarantee a specific experience that can benefit many students. To become accredited, a college must meet several qualifications, many of which are based on academic quality.
That doesn’t mean unaccredited colleges have terrible programs, as they may have been disqualified for other reasons. Accredited colleges must have a strong curriculum, both in content and structure. Accrediting bodies pay as much attention to the faculty as they do to the curriculum itself.
You can typically count on accredited colleges having great program structures and professors. Whether you’re getting a bachelor’s degree or an advanced degree, you can count on the courses being comprehensive. The courses’ robust nature and the reputation associated with them will help shape your post-graduation life.
2. Boosted Credibility
Let’s face it, most people pursue graduate degrees because of the opportunities they offer. The opportunities that accompany degrees are directly tied to how the organization is perceived. Naturally, a master’s degree from an accredited, well-respected college looks better than one from an alternative.
This creates an interesting exchange where you work hard in exchange for a title that will alter your professional trajectory. Many employers feel a certain way about particular colleges and accrediting bodies, and you can play into this. The right degree from the right accredited organization can make you a strong candidate for many jobs.
The difference between a degree from an accredited or unaccredited law school is how it will be perceived. Sure, there are academic differences, but your post-graduation reputation is the longest-lasting difference.
3. Better Professional Opportunities
A degree from an accredited college or university is often essential in the medical and legal fields. Sure, accreditation can boost your reputation, but it may also be necessary to even start your career. You may not even qualify for licensure exams if you don’t have a degree from an accredited college.
Luckily, roughly 85% of colleges and universities in the United States are at least regionally accredited. Many of the rest of the colleges in the U.S. are nationally accredited, but regional accreditation is considered more desirable. This gives aspiring doctors, nurses, and lawyers many chances to pursue degrees from institutions that will actually help them.
Accredited colleges are more accessible than ever, which helps young adults set themselves up for their dream jobs. Some employers can even reimburse some of the cost of your tuition if you graduated from an accredited college.
4. Qualify for Graduate Degrees
Many employers and licensing organizations don’t recognize degrees from unaccredited colleges. Unfortunately, an unaccredited degree can also prevent you from qualifying for graduate school. Today, advanced degrees are often necessary if you want to get a great job after finishing your academic journey.
For example, you won’t qualify for a Master of Nursing Science without a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college. You can apply, but the admissions board won’t consider your application without an accredited degree. This can put you in a difficult spot in a world where advanced degrees are more desirable than ever.
5. Improved Inclusivity
Many people understandably cannot pay college tuition out of pocket. That’s why so many college students rely on federal financial aid. However, you typically only qualify for federal financial aid if you attend an accredited college or university.
Many people simply cannot afford college tuition without some form of financial aid. In that case, accredited colleges are more inclusive, as you can at least get some sort of federal student loan. Student loans aren’t free, of course, but repaying debt is easier when you get a great job because of your degree.
It’s ultimately a small price to pay considering the professional opportunities that accredited degrees yield. You may qualify for private loans when attending unaccredited colleges, however.
Accreditation is Invaluable
Earning an accredited bachelor’s degree can set the stage for the next chapter of your life. Not only can you earn one using a federal loan, but you can also leverage an accredited degree to qualify for a graduate degree. Graduate degrees are more necessary than ever, and they’re only possible with an accredited bachelor’s degree.
An accredited degree is essential if you plan to work as a lawyer, doctor, or nurse. The academic and professional opportunities that accredited degrees offer can ultimately change your life.
