What is the difference between authorization and accreditation?
The goal of authorization and accreditation is to ensure that programs meet specific quality standards.
Authorization Grants a college, university or postsecondary school the ability to: (1) operate in the State of Connecticut, (2) to teach educational programs, and (3) to award certificates and degrees. The State of Connecticut has certain standards that institutions or schools are required to meet to be authorized. Private career schools are required to display their certificate of authorization from our office. College and universities are issued an authorization letter. To know if an institution or school is authorized and what educational programs they offer are authorized, you can review our school database here. If the school is not authorized in the state, it may be operating illegally and any diplomas or certificates issued may not be legitimate.
Accreditation is voluntary designation awarded by an accreditor. A school can apply for accreditation after authorization from CT’s OHE.
Accreditors can apply to the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) for recognition. This recognition would allow any schools that the accreditor accredits to be able to apply to the USDOE to be able to accept Title IV federal student aid. This is one reason to look for an accredited college or university.
To become accredited school have to demonstrate that they meet the standards of quality by the accreditor. These accreditors do a deep dive to check the school's finances, programs, and services.
Learn why accreditation may matter to you.
Both authorization and accreditation
Schools have to be renew after a period of time. A school can also lose its approved status if it doesn’t uphold the standards of the approving body.
What are the two types of accreditation?
There are two main types of accreditation:
- Institutional accreditation
- Specialized accreditation
What types of schools does the Office of Higher Education authorize?
CT OHE approves:
- Private CT-based colleges and universities that grant degrees.
- Career schools that train students to pursue entry-level jobs. For example, a hospital-based school that offers nurse's aid programs. A cosmetology, barber, or hairdresser school to prepare you for the beauty industry. Or, a trade school such as electronics, automotive training, bartending, dog grooming, and massage therapy.