Almeda University Private Accreditation
Almeda University Accreditation Difference
The inherent problem with regional accreditation -- besides the fact that it presents a barrier to entry for startup universities is that it has historically focused on the education process and not the education itself or the learning outcome.
As the regional accrediting agencies determine eligibility of the programs provided at each accredited institution, they focus quite intensely on delivery of each program to ensure it is distributed within the confinement of the traditional method of process. Outcomes -- that is actual learning -- are not measured or even a concern of the accrediting agencies.
In other words, traditional regional accreditation has no accountability for any type of student success. Many private universities such as Almeda University, as well as some public universities, are hoping to reduce government intervention and work closely with a new and separate Voluntary System of Accountability. This new system would allow each university to focus on improving critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and written communication. These are areas that are not currently examined by regional accrediting agencies.
The regional accrediting agencies tend to be overseers and identify items of all aspects of education -- but never really concentrate on any. For example, these regionally accrediting agencies present policies about universities requiring mission statements, policies on bankruptcy, policies on degree programs, policies on marketing approaches, policies on annual reports, policies on complaints, policies on refunds, policies for student activities, etc. As mentioned previously, these policies all focus on the process and do not require any type of accountability for success.
Conversely, private accreditation agencies such as those that accredit Almeda University focus on a few specific aspects of standards. For example, the AOAEx focuses on the financial aspect of how the university handles refunds, dropped classes, tuition payments, etc. The AOAEx goes one step further than the traditional regional accrediting agencies by interacting with students to ensure that the financial policies adopted by member institutions are meeting the expectations and needs of the students.
That unto itself is the largest and most significant difference between the private and the regional accreditation. Does a university meet the needs of today's students? Regional accrediting agencies do not seem to care. That's the Almeda University Accreditation Difference.
That's not to say that regional accrediting is a bad thing. It has simply overstepped its value. It's important that each university has strict policies on document retention, complaint handling, and financial matters. But the focus must be on the outcome -- which is measured by student successes. This is an area where private accreditation excels beyond regional accreditation.
