List of unrecognized accreditation associations of higher learning

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This is a list of entities that have been identified as accreditors of higher education institutions, but that lack necessary legal authority or government recognition to provide such educational accreditation.

Rules for educational accreditation vary from country to country. In most countries, the function of accreditation for educational institutions is conducted by a government ministry of education. In the United States educational accreditation is performed by private nonprofit membership associations. In the United States, accredited institutions of higher education must be accredited by agencies recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Often a school claiming accreditation from an unrecognized accreditor will not be viewed as legitimate in the academic community.[1] Institutional accreditation is required for institutions to receive U.S. government funds. Also, students who attend institutions of higher education that are accredited through accreditation associations not recognized by the USDE or CHEA do not qualify for U.S. government financial aid.[2] Recognized accreditors in the United States are listed in databases maintained by the USDE [3] and CHEA [4]

The following is a partial list of unrecognized accreditation associations of higher learning, as identified by the organizations themselves, government authorities in their respective countries, or other independent authorities. Also, included are some organizations that do not offer educational accreditation but have been misidentified as accreditors by organizations that offer educational services.

The non-American agencies listed here are not recognized by USDE or CHEA, but their status in their country or origin should be ascertained by referring to to the governments of the respective countries because USDE and CHEA do not assess institutions outside USA.

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  1. ^ http://www.chea.org/pdf/fact_sheet_6_diploma_mills.pdf
  2. ^ An Overview of U.S. Accreditation, by Judith S. Eaton, CHEA, accessed March 11, 2008
  3. ^ Institution Accreditation - main Page
  4. ^ Recognized Accrediting Organizations (as of October 2007), lists accreditation organizations recognized by CHEA and/or USDE (accessed March 08, 2008)
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Accrediting Agencies Not Recognized Under GAAP (website recommended by U.S. Department of Education; both websites accessed October 21, 2007)
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board List of Fraudulent or Unrecognized Accreditors (archived February 17, 2007)
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q “Accrediting” entities not recognized by the State of Oregon, Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization (accessed March 8, 2008)
  8. ^ Diploma Mills: How to Identify and Avoid Fake Online Degrees - eLearners.com
  9. ^ a b c d e Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning By John Bear, Mariah P. Bear (2003), page 61
  10. ^ a b c States Struggle to Regulate Online Colleges That Lack Accreditation by Sarah Carr and Andrea L. Foster, The Chronicle of Higher Education, March 23, 2001
  11. ^ Registrars’ Group Takes On Diploma Mills, Inside Higher Ed, February 10, 2006.
  12. ^ a b c Associated Press, Cheyenne police chief defends distance-learning degree, April 23, 2005.
  13. ^ a b Association of International Education Assessors and its affiliate, the Council for Distance Education Accreditation, are based in the United States (Murfreesboro, Tennessee), but their website states that the organization is "is not listed with any government agency or the U.S. Department of Education."
  14. ^ a b Minutes, CHEA Board of Directors Meeting, January 22, 2001: "At its September 25, 2000 meeting, the board of directors accepted the committee on recognition's recommendation that the American Denturitry Association Council on Denturitry Education Commission on Denturitry Accreditation be deemed ineligible to be considered for CHEA recognition."
  15. ^ Although based in the United States (Helena, Montana), the Hygienic Doctors Association official website states (in an FAQ) as its response to the question "Is The H.D.A. recognized by the Department of Education?" that "Current laws in the United States of America prohibit the recognition of global accreditation of associations and organizations," indicating its acknowledgment that it lacks recognition.
  16. ^ First-Degree Fraud Houston Press July 20, 2006
  17. ^ IARC website states that its recognition "does not guarantee any sort of acceptance by any particular country or government" and its February 2008 newsletter states that IARC "derives it’s authority from it’s membership rather than government or any one particular industry body". (Website accessed March 11, 2008; spelling and punctuation are those used in the source.)
  18. ^ Provides program accreditation; not institutional accreditation. IACBE website states that CHEA has "declared the IACBE to be eligible for CHEA recognition" and "the IACBE is currently in the process of seeking that recognition."
  19. ^ International Association of Educators for World Peace
  20. ^ Psst. Wanna Buy a Ph.D.? Chronicle for Higher Education by Thomas Bartlett and Scott Smallwood, June 25, 2004
  21. ^ According to the recognition page of the Calamus International University[1], the IIAA is closing down operations at the end of May 2007.
  22. ^ National Association of Private Nontraditional Schools and Colleges website
  23. ^ The higher education approval authority in Liberia is the National Commission on Higher Education, which reports that some fake universities diploma mills have disseminated fake documentation from Liberian authorities. Republic of Liberia National Commission on Higher Education, Urgent Disclaimer on the Illegal Establishment and Recognition of Higher Education Institutions in the Republic of Liberia (2004).
  24. ^ Online Christ Centered Ministries states that its purposes include facilitating evangelism, establishing accountability ("Maintain worthy, theological, ethical and evangelical standards among members") and recognition ("Recognize competent and credentialed ministries doing kingdom work on and off the internet"), and stimulating "solid, Christian education and the subsequent responsibility of teaching and evangelism." (See Our Purpose and Shepherd Bible College's Accreditation page.) On the OCCM website, member institutions are identified as "quality, exemplary, Christian ministries" (see Our Members). (Websites accessed August 26, 2007.)
  25. ^ Transworld Accrediting Commission International - Home Page
  26. ^ See World Conference of Associations of Theological Institutions website; WOCATI is an international consortium that includes accrediting organizations; it does not describe accreditation as one of its functions.

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