Trade Schools: Does Accreditation Matter?
“Accreditation.” It is a word you have probably heard before, especially if you have been researching trade schools. But what is accreditation, what does it mean for a school to be accredited, and why does it matter? Keep reading to find out!
Accredited: A Definition
The dictionary definition of “accredited” is “officially recognized or authorized.” The term is typically used in reference to a person, an organization or a program of study. So if a school is accredited, that means it is officially recognized or authorized. But who (or what) that determines if a school is officially recognized or authorized?
Who Determines If A Trade School Is Accredited?
Trade schools achieve accreditation through third-party accrediting bodies. Accrediting bodies are organizations that have been approved by the US Department of Education to help ensure that educational institutions are meeting instructional standards.
These accrediting bodies have established standards that schools must meet in order to achieve accredited status. Examples of standards that accrediting organizations take into account include:
- Student graduation rates
- Job placement rates for graduates
- Quality of instructional materials
- Quality of instructors
- And more
There are a number of accrediting bodies out there. Here at ATI, we are accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training, or ACCET. ACCET has been officially recognized by the US Department of Education as a “reliable authority” as to the quality of education and training provided by educational institutions since 1978.
Why Does Accreditation Matter?
Schools are not required to receive accreditation. Accreditation is a voluntary, non-governmental, peer-review process. So if it isn’t required, why does it matter if a school is accredited or not?
Well, the ultimate purpose of accrediting bodies is to help schools and colleges become stronger, better institutions by holding them to established standards. So when a school volunteers to undergo the accrediting process, it demonstrates its commitment to providing its students with a high quality education.
If you are considering attending a trade school, it is probably because you want your training to help you get a job once you graduate. Since that is your ultimate goal, it makes sense to attend a school that has proven its dedication to providing quality education by meeting accreditation standards. It is also in your favor that accredited schools are required to help place a large percentage of their graduates in jobs after graduating!
ATI’s Accreditation
ATI has been accredited by ACCET since 2009. We are quite proud to be ACCET accredited as we know it demonstrates our commitment to quality education.
If you are looking for an accredited trade school in Las Vegas, you should come check out ATI! We offer career training programs that can be completed in as little as 9 months. Call us today and follow us on Facebook!