For most students who are planning to pursue higher education, they will check each and every minute detail about the college. What is often missed is the college accreditation because most of the students are not aware of the role it plays in the higher education journey. In easy words, Accreditation can be understood as a quality benchmark for a college / university which ensures that it meets specific academic standards. No matter how good a college infrastructure is, students should always go for accredited degree programs as it impacts your future career. In this blog, we will explore what accreditation is all about and how it impacts college students’ learning journey.
What is meant by Accreditation?
Accreditation is a process of evaluation adopted by government official bodies such as NAAC, UGC, and AICTE. These bodies primarily evaluate the college/ university on the basis of courses, infrastructure facilities, faculty experience and qualification and the overall academic environment of the college. You can take it as a quality certificate that is issued to a college or university when it meets all these benchmarks. The key advantage of choosing such an institution is that you can be rest assured that the degree will be recognized by global institutions, local employers as well as government bodies. So you can easily apply for different job roles.
Benefits of choosing an accredited institution
Open doors for higher education
If you dream of studying abroad in a top foreign university, then it is important to know that these institutions accept applications by those students only who are graduated from an accredited college or university.
Directly linked to better career options
Accreditation and career opportunities go hand in hand. That means studying in an accredited institution as compared to a non – accredited one offers you better options for career growth through internships and placements.
A proof of quality education
In higher education, especially the engineering and management programs, it is important to ensure that program standards meet industry requirements. This is done with the help of accreditation as it provides the quality assurance regarding the institution’s facilities, updated syllabus and the faculty’s qualifications.
Ease of getting education loan and scholarship
Students looking for financial assistance apply for education loans and scholarships. Preference is given to students of accredited institutions as they are recognized by the government. On the other hand, students from non-accredited institutions might find it difficult to get these financial aid.
What kind of accreditation should a student check for?
Institution related accreditation – This type of accreditation provides assurance that the college or university meets the basic quality standards in terms of infrastructure, faculty, facilities, placement, training and student development
Program specific accreditation – Programs such as management, engineering or medical programs are specifically accredited which means all B.Tech, MBA and MBBS programs meet certain approved standards and ensures academic excellence.
Students should consider both the above accreditation requirements before choosing the college and the course.
Does Accreditation affect Career Growth?
When it comes to future career prospects, pursuing a course from the accredited degree programs enhances your chances of professional success. This is because accreditation develops a sense of reliability among the hiring professionals and also gives them a surety that the candidate is well aware of the current industry practices related to the job. If you dream to work in a top MNC or want to apply for a reputed government job, then going for an accredited institution is a must.
A quick go to list to check Accreditation
With the all the information given above, here we are providing a quick student guide to college accreditation that will assist you in making a wise decision:
- UGC, AICTE are the major bodies providing accreditation to colleges. Check for these thoroughly.
- When you are fully satisfied about college accreditation, verify for the program-level accreditation in the particular course you are about to choose.
- Placements records speak a lot. Accredited colleges not only have high placement rates but also have stronger industry ties to impart the industry level knowledge to students.
- In case you are planning to study or work in a foreign country in future, carefully check that the degree should be internationally recognized.
Conclusion
Choosing a college is one of the most crucial decisions of a student’s life and therefore, students should thoroughly go through the above mentioned student guide to college accreditation. The key point to understand here is that accreditation directly impacts the education quality and your future chances of getting hired at top multinational companies and government departments. This is mainly due to the recognition that comes by joining an accredited institution along with steady future growth. Further, accreditation gives a sense of confidence and reliability that the institution is aligned with the existing requirements of the industry.
