The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is the governing body for college athletics in the United States. The NCAA has specific eligibility requirements for high school athletes who wish to compete in NCAA Division I or II sports. These requirements include earning a minimum GPA and taking a certain number of core courses in high school. Accredited online schools are more frequently accepted by the NCAA than non-accredited online schools.
2. U.S. Department of Education Recognition
The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) is the federal agency responsible for overseeing education in the United States. The DOE has a voluntary accreditation process for online schools. Accredited online schools meet certain quality standards set by the DOE. While not required, accreditation from the DOE can give students peace of mind knowing their online school meets specific quality standards.
3. Regional Accreditation
Regional accreditation is the highest level of accreditation that an online school can achieve. Regional accrediting agencies evaluate schools based on their academic quality, resources, and student services. Accredited online schools by regional agencies are widely recognized and accepted by colleges, universities, and employers.
4. State Accreditation
State accreditation is another type of accreditation that online schools can achieve. State accrediting agencies evaluate schools based on their compliance with state regulations. Accredited online schools by state agencies may not be recognized by colleges, universities, and employers outside the state.
5. Professional Organization Accreditation
Professional organization accreditation is a type of accreditation that online schools can achieve from specific professional organizations. For example, the American Bar Association (ABA) accredits online law schools. Accredited online schools by professional organizations are widely recognized and accepted by employers in the field.
When choosing an online high school diploma program, it is essential to consider the accreditation status of the school. Accredited online schools are more likely to be accepted by colleges, universities, and employers.