In the United States, schools are given regional accreditation by agencies that have been set up by professionals and organizations which have set standards for achievement. Although the federal government does not grant accreditation, through the Department of Education it does maintain a database of those agencies that rate post-secondary schools and institutions. Before signing up for a life experience degree, check your prospective school's accreditation. Many of these diploma granting institutions say they are accredited, and they may be, but not from a regional agency recognized by the United States. Because misleading statements about accreditation have caused many a person to apply for a life-experience review to get a diploma based on prior experience, they are often called diploma mills and should be avoided at all costs.
Accredited universities and post-secondary schools often offer prior-learning assessment programs. These programs not only assess the life experiences but also often help the individual set up a working portfolio of his accomplishments. If you are interested in finding such a program, use the Internet to look for "prior-learning assessment programs." Once the listing appears, you are now able to peruse the various programs available in your field of interest. These programs often offer certificates rather than degrees, but the certificated work can be used to eliminate some of the classes required for a regular bachelor's degree.
Regardless of what the advertisement says, accredited master's and doctorate degrees can not be earned through a life-experience process. These degrees require research and analysis of the most current data available.
One of the worst problems with trying to achieve certification or a degree using prior-learning experience is the preponderance of Internet agencies that are not accredited in the United States. To avoid such agencies, use the Department of Education data base that was mentioned earlier, the Better Business Bureau and your state's Office of the Attorney General. Most states also keep a database of the schools or agencies that offer the fraudulent degrees. This information is usually compiled in a consumer-fraud database maintained by your state's attorney general. If you have a doubt about the legitimacy of a life-experience program, check with your state's attorney general's website.