Seek Accredited Schools for Online Courses for
Substance Abuse Counseling

Why does it matter if the school you choose is accredited or not? Maybe you've wondered about accreditation in your search for an online course for substance abuse counseling, or some other psychology degree program.

For example, you may have found a non-accredited school that offers an online course for substance abuse counseling that is less expensive than accredited school options. In an economic downturn, reducing your education costs can be a strong incentive. So what are the advantages of an accredited school, and is a non-accredited school always a risky option?

Let's first consider why accreditation exists. Unlike other countries, the United States doesn't have centralized authority over post-secondary education. This gives schools of higher education a lot of autonomy and independence in this country, which means that they can differ greatly in the kind and quality of programs they offer. How can you as a potential student know if a school meets a minimum standard?

Accreditation agencies arose to provide basic standards and measurements of quality. These private, non-governmental groups initiate peer evaluations among schools at regional or national levels and have specific procedures for measuring the fundamental quality of a traditional or online course for substance abuse counseling—or any other educational program. In other words, they make sure that you get what you pay for.

Financial Aid and Online Courses for Substance Abuse Counseling

Say, for instance, that you want to take an online course for substance abuse counseling, but need federal financial aid to help pay your online school costs. Typically schools are required to be accredited in order to participate in federal programs. The school's accrediting agency must meet criteria set by the US Department of Education and be on the department's list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies.

Transferring Credits from Your Online Course for Substance Abuse Counseling

By establishing educational standards, accreditation also helps a school determine if course credits that you earned elsewhere are eligible for transfer. Keep accreditation in mind if you plan to move or change schools, or if mobility to other institutions is important. Credits from non-accredited schools may not transfer to an accredited school.

Job Eligibility and Your Online Course in Substance Abuse Counseling

Once you've earned your degree from an online course for substance abuse counseling you'll begin looking for a job. Some employers will consider your application only if you graduated from an accredited school. It can be illegal, in some states, to use a degree from a school not accredited by a nationally recognized accreditation agency. Oregon's law, for instance, requires that if you use a degree as a credential it must be from an accredited school or an institution that the state's Office of Degree Authorization has approved. For some professions, Oregon allows usage of unaccredited degrees, but you are legally required to include a disclaimer on job-related correspondence, such as your resume, business card or letterhead.

Invalid Accreditation Agencies and Diploma Mills

Some organizations claim to have legitimate accreditation when in fact the accrediting agency is fraudulent. Often the school is a "diploma mill," an organization offering an invalid certification that can be purchased without coursework. To avoid the danger of being misled by an unscrupulous school, consult the "positive list" of schools with online courses for substance abuse counseling, or any psychology degree program, accredited by agencies that are recognized by the US Department of Education.

Can Non-Accredited Schools be Trusted?

Accreditation doesn't always indicate a school's ability to offer worthy instruction. A non-accredited school can provide a high quality traditional or online course for substance abuse counseling but could be in the process of applying for accreditation, or chooses not to seek accreditation for other reasons. A reputable design school in Seattle, for example, cites avoiding a rise in tuition due to the cost of accreditation as one reason for being non-accredited, as well as the standard practice of employers judging a prospective designer's portfolio work as basis for employment, not the accreditation status of his or her school.

Students can still encounter problems even if the non-accredited school they attended has a good reputation for quality. In addition to the potential issue of transferable credits and many employers' preference for degrees from accredited schools, licensing boards and other institutions may also only accept degrees from schools accredited by agencies recognized by the US Department of Education.

Accreditation May Protect You

Understanding accreditation can help you decide on a school as you search for your online course for substance abuse counseling, any mental health counseling diploma program, or master's degree in psychology, just to name a few. Course quality and standards, transfer of credits, and avoiding diploma mills are just a few of the issues to consider when researching an online course for substance abuse counseling. Choosing an accredited school may be worth the cost as an insurance policy against these risks.

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