This article is to help international students to find the accreditation (similar to ‘recognition’ in India) of US Universities and Academic Programs.You should join the universities with Accreditation. Avoid joining a university without proper accreditation – Unaccredited universities are like Trivalley, UNVA. Accreditation may be given at University level or may be at a Department, Programs Level.

Select a University which is accredited by a Regional Accreditation Agencies and then the Degree (Major) you are applying in the university is accredited by a National Accreditation Agencies.

Accreditation of US Universities (Regional Accreditation)

Good standard US University is the one that is recognized by one of the following agencies. Following agencies are called as ‘Regional accreditation Agencies’. A University having ‘REGIONAL ACCREDITATION’ will be considered as a genuine one. These agencies will NOT accredit universities like Trivalley, UNVA.

1) Middle States
2) New England
3) North Central
4) Northwest
5) Southern
6) Western

Accreditation of Degrees or Programs (National Accreditation)

There are some accrediting organizations which will accredit particular degrees or departments in a university. These agencies are called as ‘NATIONAL ACCREDITATION AGENCIES’. Academic programs that have national accreditation will meet minimum requirements, such as lab facilities, enough research funds, infrastructure, set by the Agency.
For example: The Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology (ABET) will accredit degrees in Engineering field.

Few National Accreditation Agencies that will accredit degrees are
ABET-CAC – Will accredit computer Science Programs.
ABET – Will accredit engineering degrees.
LCME – Will give Accreditations for Medical Institutions.
ACS – Will accredit Chemistry degrees.

US Department of Education is the governing body for the accreditation. It will not accredit any Universities or programs in the university. But it will officially recognize ‘Accreditation agencies’. These Agencies will accredit the universities. All the agencies listed above are recognized by US department of Education.