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List of Online Colleges with Programmatic Accreditation

By OnlineU Staff | Updated 5/4/2020

Programmatic accreditation, also known as specialized or professional accreditation, is designed for specialized departments, programs, schools, or colleges within a university or institution that has already received accreditation. These accreditation agencies look for specific aspects of a department that set it apart from others like it. Programmatic programs are available throughout the United States, and each one indicates a superior curriculum and faculty. Continue reading to find schools accredited at the programmatic level, or check out our lists of schools accredited at the national or regional levels.

The U.S. Department of Education accredits colleges and universities as a mark of quality. Accreditation lets employers, other schools, and certifying boards know that you received a rigorous education in your field. All schools on our site are accredited.

Other Types of Accreditation

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Colleges with Programmatic Accreditation

School Name Accrediting Agency Annual Tuition
Abilene Christian University AACSB, AAMFT, ACEND, AOTA, ASHA, CAATS, CCNE, CSWE, NASM $36,300
Adams State University CACREP, CCNE, NASM, TEAC $20,864
Adelphi University AACSB, APA, ASHA, CCNE, CSWE, JRCERT, NCATE, NYSED $40,300
Albany State University ACBSP, ACEN, ACEN, CACREP, CODA, CSWE, JRCERT, NCATE $16,656
Alvernia University ACBSP, AOTA, APTA, CCNE, CSWE $36,350
American InterContinental University ACBSP Not Provided
American International College ACEN, AOTA, APTA, CCNE, IACBE $36,930
American National University CEA $8,244
American Public University System ACBSP, CCNE, CEPH $7,324
American University AACSB, ABA, ABET, APA, CEPH, NASM, NCATE $49,889
American University - MBA AACSB, APA, CEPH, NASM, NCATE $49,889
Anderson University - SC AACSB, ACBSP, CCNE, NASAD, NASM, NASM, NCATE $29,230
Andrews University ABET, ACEN, ACEN, ACEND, APA, APTA, ASHA, CAATS, CACREP, CEPH, CSWE, IACBE, NASM, NCATE $30,158
Angelo State University ACBSP, ACEN, APTA, CCNE, CSWE, NASM, NCATE $17,765
Anna Maria College ACEN, ACEN, CSWE, NASM $38,630
Appalachian State University AACSB, AAMFT, ABET, ACEND, APA, ASHA, CACREP, CCNE, CEPH, CSWE, NASAD, NASM, NAST, NCATE $22,216
Arcadia University ACBSP, APTA, CEPH, NASAD $44,440
Arizona State University AACSB, ABA, ABET, ACEND, APA, ASHA, CACREP, CAHME, CCNE, CSWE, NAAB, NASAD, NASM $24,413
Arkansas State University AACSB, AANA, ACEN, ACEN, ACEND, AOTA, APTA, ASHA, CEA, CSWE, JRCERT, NASAD, NASM, NAST, NCATE $15,860
Aspen University CCNE, IACBE $3,920

All Programmatic Accreditation Agencies

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)

The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology is a national accreditation organization that oversees university programs in the subject areas of engineering, applied science, technology, and computing. ABET also helps to lead international agreements and offers education credentials to those students who have earned degrees abroad. In countries and regions where education is still a working process, ABET helps universities plan for excellence in the engineering and technology fields. Within the mission of ABET is the goal of promoting quality education and innovating new standards. ABET is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)

The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools is non-profit agency that accredits public and private postsecondary institutions offering allied health, medical assistant, medical laboratory technician and surgical technology programs. ABHES also accredits programs outside of allied health provided the institution’s focus is mainly in this field. ABHES accredits institutions which offer certificate, diploma, Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Occupational Science, Academic Associate, and Baccalaureate degrees including those offered online. ABHES is recognized by the United States Secretary of Education.

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)

The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy offers accreditation for programs offering graduate and postgraduate degrees in the field of clinical marriage and family therapy. AAMFT has been a recognized accrediting agency by the US Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. AAMFT is a specialized or programmatic accreditor, meaning it focuses only on issues within its accredited areas, not the entire school body.

American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)

Nearly 95 percent of today's community and junior colleges are accredited by the American Association of Community Colleges . Over 10 million students a year earn an associate or certificate degree through an AACC-accredited institution in the United States and throughout the world in places like Puerto Rico, Japan, Great Britain, Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. AACC is one of the six largest accreditation bodies, making its influence on the trends and legislation concerning education very important. The AACC has ongoing interaction with many different federal departments to coordinate the quality of education with the goals and future of the country. AACC is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS)

The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences aims to promote leadership in professionals within the field of family and consumer sciences. The organization oversees the accreditation process of such programs to achieve the underlying goal of affecting social change through the health of both the individual and the family. AAFCS is the only national organization that represents this professional field. AAFCS is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)

The American Association of State Colleges and Universities accredits over 400 public colleges and universities in the United States. The association's goal is to create and maintain a quality educational system open for all American citizens. AASCU strives to provide an education for those students who traditionally may not have access to higher education. It uses its clout to level the playing field both in US education and in the professional realm. The American Association of State Colleges and Universities stands by its motto of 'Delivering America's Promise' of equal opportunity. AASCU is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

American Council for Construction Education (ACCE)

The American Council for Construction Education supports teaching a uniform set of practices to help make the professionalism of the construction business become more prevalent. The association is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation for its programs awarding bachelor's degrees in construction management and technology. ACCE also accredits two-year associate degree programs in construction. It works hard to maintain and promote the integrity of the construction profession.

American Council on Education (ACE)

The American Council on Education is a both an institutional accreditor of colleges and universities and a watchdog of the higher education system. Its goal is to create higher education opportunities for anyone who wants one, regardless of their financial or social limitations. ACE is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

American Culinary Federation (ACF)

The American Culinary Federation accredits programs of culinary training, rather than whole institutions. The standards the ACF holds its accredited programs up to are created by a board of qualified professionals in the field who are also leaders in their industry. Only accredited programs, under the umbrella of the ACF are considered quality training routes in the field. The commission visits and certifies each of the schools given their stamp of approval. Each school must meet stringent standards to earn the commission's well-respected endorsement. The ACF is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

American Library Association (ALA)

The American Library Association accredits library science master's degree programs and sets training standards to ensure that librarians are equipped with the tools they need to educate their communities. The accrediting council is an elected body of professionals who dedicate their time to overseeing the standards set for programs of library education. Other committees of the ALA focus on improving the overall function of library systems and their place in improving information provided to communities. The ALA is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

American Psychological Association (APA)

The accreditation council for the American Psychological Association is responsible for many different avenues of psychology education. While some accrediting organizations only oversee a certain degree level, the APA oversees the quality of doctoral graduate training programs, internships, and postdoctoral residencies. The accreditation process for all of these different levels of training is intended to assure consistent quality across the wide array of programs offered in the United States. The APA is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE)

The goal of the accrediting commission of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education is to advance clinical pastoral education to a new level. The field of religion is a general gray area compared to many other academic fields, so another major goal of the association is to set the standards pastors use to decipher and teach information. The accreditation commission of the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education is focused on programmatic accreditation only, though some entire schools may be dedicated to pastoral education. The ACPE is recognized by the US Department of Education.

Association of American Universities (AAU)

The Association of American Universities upholds the integrity of what it means to provide and receive a university education. The AAU works to form creative ways to conduct research in higher education institutions, and it supports progress for graduate and professional education. University education is different from that of college or two- year institutions in that it offers advanced training beyond the bachelor's degree in more than one discipline. Colleges and universities often offer similar undergraduate education, but universities are able to invest in research and expand into graduate and professional work. The AAU is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

The Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs is the leading specialized accreditor of associate and bachelor's business degree programs in the United States. Graduates of ACBSP-accredited programs are often easily placed in the job market because their training is seen as a valuable preparation for the field of business. ACBSP is recognized as a national accreditor by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the US Department of Education.

Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication (ASJMC)

The Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication oversees the soundness and quality of the education of mass communication. This discipline includes the professional fields of advertising, newspaper or magazine journalism, radio and television broadcasting, public relations, and photojournalism. ASJMC accredits only programs, or departments of journalism, rather than the entire institution in which the programs lie. It oversees bachelor`s and master`s degree programs, but does not accredit PhD programs. ASJMC is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accredits bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in business administration and accounting. The field of business has always been one of change and evolution, and the AACSB strives to keep up with new innovations and new ways to conduct business. The accreditation process helps schools and business instructors keep pace with the training needed to prepare new professionals for the working world.

Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI)

The Aviation Accreditation Board International focuses on advancing the quality of aviation education and training to help propel the field into newer, global realms. They accredit associate and bachelor's programs in aviation science. The council focuses on quality aviation education worldwide. They hope to make strides on a global level to stimulate excellence, establish a uniform educational path, and help create credibility and acceptance of aviation programs in the academic community. AABI is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA)

The Commission on English Language Program Accreditation is the only nationally recognized accreditation agency that specializes in English language education programs and institutions in the United States. CEA also reviews international programs and promotes high global standards for English language learning. CEA is recognized by the United States Department of Education.

Computer Science Accreditation Commission (CSAC)

Training programs for software engineering, information systems, and computer science all fall under the accrediting umbrella of the Computer Science Accreditation Commission of the Computing Sciences Accreditation Board . The commission works under the overarching body of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, except it specializes in computer engineering disciplines. The goal of the commission is not to keep the field in stationary, but to keep the study of computer engineering moving forward. CSAC is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs as a respected agency for overseeing the educational quality of master's degree programs in 10 fields of counseling. The vision of the Council of Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs is to provide the leadership needed to advance counseling education. This not only includes the training of new professionals in the field, but also the continuing education of experience professionals. CACREP is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA)

The Council for Interior Design is the major board in the United States in charge of overseeing over 100 programs of interior design. Thousands of designers have graduated from accredited programs and find their employment opportunities are much more favorable with CIDA approval. The Council for Interior Design Accreditation is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)

Working as an independent accrediting agency, the Council on Education for Public Health works to uphold the standards of training in schools of public health. These are schools that train students for entry-level positions in the field of public health and also provide opportunities to earn a Master of Public Health degree. Many of these institutions have programs with titles such as, 'School of Public Health,' 'Community Health Education,' or 'Community Health/Preventive Medicine.' CEPH is recognized by the US Department of Education.

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

The Council on Social Work Education strives to improve the quality of social work education and works to set government policies to move the ability of social workers forward. Social work programs at the bachelor's or master's level are eligible for accreditation by the CSWE. Not only does this agency work to improve the education standards in the field of social work, but it also encourages research and development of the field. CSWE is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools is a non-profit institution that accredits several different types of educational institutions in the Mid-Atlantic region. In the US, MSA operates in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. MSA comprises three accrediting commissions, the Commission on Elementary Schools, the Commission on Secondary Schools, and the Commission on Higher Education. MSA is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the United States Department of Education.

National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)

If you plan on studying architecture and becoming a board-certified architect, then attending an institution accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board is essential. Almost all states require candidates for architect board exams to be graduates of programs with an accreditation from the NAAB.

National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU)

The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities specializes in upholding the quality and specialty of private colleges and universities in the United States. Some of the many types of schools included under the umbrella of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities include major universities, religious colleges, community colleges, and specialty arts schools. NAICU is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

National Association of Industrial Technology (NAIT)

The National Association of Industrial Technology accredits associate and bachelor's degree programs in the art of industrial technology. Industrial technology includes professions in fields such as woodworking, ironsmithing, welding, and manufacturing. NAIT oversees the programs in the United States that teach future generations how to increase productivity and manage manufacturing throughout the world. NAIT is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

National Association of Schools of Public Affairs & Administration (NASPAA)

The Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration oversees the quality of public affairs master's degree programs. The accredited institutions under the NASPAA undergo a stringent series of assessment to meet the commission's standards. This assures new professionals in the field are prepared for helping the field of public affairs progress into the future. NASPAA is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)

The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education is dedicated to improving the quality of teacher training in the United States. The council accredits teaching programs for preschool through 12th grade. NCATE professionals advocate that every student deserves to learn from a highly qualified teacher, coach, specialist, or administrator, and they strive to create standards that raise the bar in educational training. NCATE is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)

The accreditation commission for the National Recreation and Park Association ensures that future professionals entering the field of parks and recreation are prepared for the changing nature of the field. NRPA-accredited programs produce professionals who are interested in the conservation of public land for purposes such as parks and biking and hiking trails. NRPA is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

New York State Board of Regents and the Commissioner of Education

Education in New York is governed by one statewide institutional accrediting agency, the New York State Board of Regents and the Commissioner of Education . The accreditation process involves an application, self-evaluation, and then a lengthy process of regent visits and assessments. The final stamp of approval comes from the director of regents, after consultation with the entire board. Universities and colleges are granted accreditation for up to 10 years. The New York State Board of Regents, and the Commissioner of Education is recognized by the United States Department of Education.

Planning Accreditation Board (PAB)

The Planning Accreditation Board acts as a consulting agency for schools looking to become accredited. PAB assists schools by observing a program's educational protocol and then discussing with school leaders how things should be altered in order to be considered for accreditation. The board is in no way affiliated with accrediting agencies. By helping in the process of accreditation, the PAB has a committed interest in achieving the highest standards in quality education. PAB is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

Society of American Foresters (SAF)

The Society of American Foresters supports a national network of foresters and advocates global health, forest sustainability, and sound forest management education. Much of today's forestry science is focused on creating strategies of conservation and working to find ways to live and work more peacefully with living forests. The bachelor's and master's degree programs accredited by the Society of American Foresters meet specific curriculum standards. SAF is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC)

The Teacher Education Accreditation Council promotes quality teacher training programs at US colleges and universities. It oversees undergraduate and graduate teacher training programs for pre-K through grade 12. TEAC is recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

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