Which Louisiana Schools Are Accredited?

Accessing the Department of Education's Website

• To find out which institutions are accredited in Louisiana, log on to the U.S. Department of Education's Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs at www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation. On the page, hit the link that states "Click Here to Begin Your Search." The link is located on the top right-hand side of the webpage.

How to Search

• The tabs in the center of the screen display several options of searching. If you know the name of the particular Louisiana school, enter it and click "Search." If you prefer a list of all the accredited schools, scroll down the box titled "State or Outlying Area" until you see "Louisiana." Highlight it and click "Search."

Accreditations

• Your search will bring up 147 listings in alphabetical order. Browse through until you find the school you are interested in and click on the school name. A new screen listing that particular school's accreditation will appear. Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana, for example, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

History of Accreditation

• Accreditation in the United States started in 1960 so American colleges and universities could demonstrate the level of quality in their programs to the federal government. It is very important for a college or university to receive accreditation because if they fail to do so, they are ineligible for federal funding (student loans, grants and funds for research). The Department of Education's webpage offers information on accreditation, including date of accreditation and accrediting agencies. Accrediting agencies or state approval agencies are recognized by the government to be a "reliable authority as to the quality of postsecondary education," according to the Department of Education.

What Schools Are Accredited?

• Schools of all types can be accredited--beauty schools like Aveda Institute or colleges of arts, business schools, schools of law and technical colleges. Becoming accredited simply means that a school meets the federal government's standard of providing a quality education and is therefore eligible to receive federal aid.