The difference between a "regionally accredited" and "nationally accredited" school is a very important one when choosing the institution you will attend. Regional accreditation is highly regarded around the world because it is a comprehensive, peer-reviewed process that ensures a consistent standard of quality for higher education institutions. It is rooted in the history of traditional brick-and-mortar colleges and universities, and CSU-Global is proud to be one of the few regionally accredited online universities.
Regional accreditation standards require that up to one-third of a degree program’s curriculum includes general education courses in social, natural and physical sciences, English, math, humanities, and art. Colleges and universities that are regionally accredited usually only accept transfer credits or degrees from other regionally accredited institutions.
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The HLC accredits and thereby grants membership to educational institutions in the North Central region: Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, New Mexico, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming. The HLC is recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
The HLC has designed the accreditation process to achieve its mission: Serving the common good by assuring and advancing the quality of higher education.
HLC accreditation is based on the thorough evaluation and fulfillment of five specific criteria:
- Mission
- Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct
- Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support
- Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement
- Resources, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness
American Intercontinental University
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| American Intercontinental University - Regionally Accredited Online Colleges |
Obtainable degrees: Associates, Bachelors, Masters
Areas of study: Business, Information Technology, Criminal Justice, Design, Education and Accounting with specializations in each field of study
Tuition: (2013) Depending on whether you are looking to obtain your associates, bachelors or masters degree, tuition can cost $302 per credit hour for your associates and bachelors degrees and $442 per credit hour for the Masters of Education degree and the remaining masters programs are $582 per credit hour.
Fees: (2012) Undergraduate Application Fee – $50.00
Retention percentage of First Time Bachelor Degree Seeking Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2011 and Returned in Fall 2012: 37% Full Time….32% Part Time
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2006 and Graduated Within 150% of “Normal Time” to Completion for Their Program: 32%
Admission requirements: Online application, high school diploma or equivalent, and complete informational admissions interview
Course flexibility: At AIU, online courses are set up in a manner in which they adhere to YOUR lifestyle and your best learning path to success. You may choose reading, listening, watching and interacting as your proven choice of learning.
Aspen University
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| Regionally Accredited Online Colleges - Aspen University |
Accreditation: Distance Education and Training Council (NA), Accrediting Commission
Obtainable degrees: Associates, Bachelors, Masters, Doctoral, and Certificates
Areas of study: Professional Studies such as Criminal Justice, Medical Management, Psychology and Addiction Counseling and Project Management, Nursing, Education, Management, Information Technologies, and Liberal Arts and Sciences in literature, languages, history, mathematics, psychology, and basic sciences.
Tuition: (2014) Associates and Bachelors degrees – $125.00 per credit hour…Masters and Doctoral degrees – $325.00 per credit hour…Fine Arts programs – $125.00 per credit hour…Certificate programs – $325.00 per credit hour
Retention percentage of First Time Bachelor Degree Seeking Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall of 2011 and Returned in Fall of 2012: 80%
Course flexibility: Aspen’s course schedule is asynchronous meaning that you can take the classes any time of the day or night to fit your busy schedule. You may participate in online class discussions and everything is completed online except for papers and such where you will then upload them to the school. Most students take one or two courses at a time but you may take up to three courses at a time, if you wish. Proctored exams are required but you may take them at a facility closest to you and they only occur a couple of times a year.
Capella University
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| Capella University - Regionally Accredited Online Collges |
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Obtainable degrees: Bachelor’s degree, Post-baccalaureate certificate, Master’s degree, Post-master’s certificate, Doctor’s degree – research/scholarship, Doctor’s degree – professional practice
Areas of study: Business and Technology, Counseling and Psychology, Education, Health Care and Nursing, Public Service
Tuition: (2014) Certificate – $305 – $360 per credit hour… Bachelor’s Degree – $305 – $360 per credit hour… Master’s Degree – $385 – $720 per credit hour… Doctorate – $505 – $768 per credit hour
Retention percentage of First Time Bachelor Degree Seeking Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2011 and Returned in Fall 2012: 24% Part Time
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2006 and Graduated Within 150% of “Normal Time” to Completion for Their Program: Just below 50%
Fees: Application – $50… Graduation – $350
Course flexibility: Asynchronous online classes allows you to take them at anytime, day or night, although you are required to fulfill your weekly assignments on time. There new program called FlexPath allows you to complete your assignments on your own schedule at your own pace….no weekly deadlines!
Colorado Technical University
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| Colorado Technical University |
Accreditation: Colorado Technical University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Obtainable degrees: Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree
Areas of study: Business and Management, Healthcare, Security Studies, Information Systems and Technology, Engineering and Computer Science,
Tuition: Bachelor’s Degree – $385 per credit hour, Master’s Degree – $585 per credit hour, Doctorate – $598 per credit hour.
Retention percentage of First Time Bachelor Degree Seeking Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2011 and Returned in Fall 2012: 43% Full Time….25% Part Time
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2006 and Graduated Within 150% of “Normal Time” to Completion for Their Program: 13%
Course flexibility: Flexibility translates into 24/7 access to lectures, the ability to check grades at any time, access previous lectures in the archives, and complete assignments. Interacting with other classmates and professors is easy to do in the Virtual Commons.
Colorado State University
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| Colorado State University |
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Obtainable degrees: Graduate certificates and training, Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree
Areas of study: CSU offers a HUGE variety of courses to take from FREE online courses to veterinary medicine to tourism management and of course, the standards, including business management, education and, computer science. A link to the university’s website is here for you to view all of their offerings.
Tuition: Undergraduates – $379.00 per credit…Graduates – $549.00 per credit but many factors are involved depending on the course and degree being sought
Retention percentage of First Time Bachelor Degree Seeking Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2011 and Returned in Fall 2012: Not Reported
Percentage of Full-time, First-time Students Who Began Their Studies in Fall 2006 and Graduated Within 150% of “Normal Time” to Completion for Their Program: Not Reported
Course flexibility: Operating on a weekly schedule, there are weekly deadlines versus daily ones allowing you the time and flexibility needed to complete assignments and exams and also participate in case studies and discussions. You are highly encouraged to contribute your input with your instructor and fellow students and to interact frequently.
