Understanding Accreditation

Making the decision to invest in your education is certainly a positive step forward into achieving your career goals.  With so many colleges and institutions available online and on campus, choosing the appropriate one for you can be quite overwhelming, especially for international students hoping to earn a degree from the UK or USA.

With So many choices, the first thing you need to check when researching is to ensure the institution is recognized. There are a number of simply ways to determine this before you make your educational investment. 

What is Accreditation?

The accreditation of a college means that it has been assessed by educational authorities to ensure that the level and quality of education is acceptable. 

USA Accreditation

In the USA, this falls under the responsibility of the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Their website is www.chea.org

• Regional Accreditation

• National Accreditation

•  Diploma Mills

UK Accreditation

•  Taught Degree Awarding Powers

•  Quality Assurance Agency

EFA Accredited Institutions

Depending on the geographical location and technique of learning, institutions are awarded with either a National or a Regional accreditation.

National

National accredited colleges predominately offer more vocational, technical and career fulfilled programs with the outcome that a student can earn a degree, diploma or certificate. There are currently 52 National program accreditors in the U.S online and on a campus. The most commonly form of National accreditation online is:

·         Accreditation by the Distance Education & Training Council (DETC)

Regional

Regional colleges however, are approved accreditation through authorities in specific areas of the country. There are six regional accrediting bodies in the U.S which permit accreditation within their location. 
They are: 

• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (Commission on Higher Education)

•          New England Association of School and Colleges (Commission on Technical and Career Institutions and Commission on Institutions of Higher Education)

•            North Central Associations of Colleges and Schools (The Higher Learning Commission)

•           Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

•            Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (Commission on Colleges)

•           Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities)

Regional colleges are stated as the most common form of accreditation within the U.S.

However you choose to study, you should always do research and make sure that the U.S. institution has accreditation. Whether the college is nationally or regionally accredited, doesn’t matter as long as you can earn a genuine degree at the end of your studies. Always make sure that you have requested the vital information about an institution before you apply.

EFA College Accreditation

EFA currently have six partnerships across the U.S. and U.K. These are:

 Anglia Ruskin University

   Ashworth College

 James Madison High School

  University of Derby

 University of Derby Online

   US University

Your education is important to us, which is why at EFA, we’ve made sure that all our partnerships with colleges and universities are accredited either nationally or regionally. Over 3,000 students have put their trust in our services and successfully graduated with legitimate degrees in a range of different fields.

By having accredited partnerships across the UK and US in both regionally and nationally, we are able to provide our students with a wider variety on what and how they choose to study. Our main priority is to deliver international students with equal opportunities. We are a trustworthy service with an excellent growing reputation.  

For more information about accreditation we advise you to call our admissions team on 

786.206.3531

Please visit our social media sites on: 

 www.twitter.com/EFALearning
www.facebook.com/EFALearning

To speak directly with an adviser, please email

admissions@efalearning.com

Studying Online VS Campus

Taking the step to pursue higher education is a positive one in terms of personal and career development.  For international students, this can be one of the biggest decisions you will face in your life. Obtaining information and advice is critical to help you make the right choice.

Advances in technology and the growth of online education has created new opportunities for international students to advance their studies in a more financially viable fashion.  However, studying online does not appeal to all.  Many international students value the opportunity to also develop their language skills and learn about a new culture.

At EFA, we are committed to helping our students navigate this decision by offering solutions to study either online, on-campus or a mixture of both.   We want you to have maximum flexibility and choice.

Flexibility

You’ll soon learn that flexibility and organization are key skills that you will pick up once you’re a student.   The great aspect of studying online is the opportunity to study at a pace that suits you. If you have work commitments, a family or other obligations which make it difficult for you to attend classes, then online learning is definitely the more suitable approach for you. Students will receive online seminars and all the work they need by email, letting you manage your own study time. 

Organizing your studies around your busy schedule prepares you for the responsibility that is yet to come once you graduate.  If however, you do not have commitments outside of studying and if you’re not great at managing your own time efficiently, then studying on a campus may be fitting for you. Attending classes physically can help give you the motivation mind-set to study to ‘get in the zone’ of studying. Each semester you will be given a timetable of classes to attend every week. It is therefore down to you to make sure you attend these classes.

Interaction

Interacting with your fellow peers and course tutors is extremely important when you begin studying.  Discussing opinions and ideas is a great way of learning and an important aspect that everyone needs to experience was a student.

Just because you are not physically in a classroom, this doesn’t stop you from gaining access to all the information you need to succeed. Online students have access to classes, workshops and seminars through the power of online networking. You will receive all the information you acquire for your course though emails and online seminars. Students have access to course chatroom’s and online forums so that they can discuss their classes with other online students.

Nevertheless, studying in the classroom gives students a great ‘class atmosphere’. Campus students have the chance to interact with their classmates and tutors face-to-face which may be ideal for regarding information quickly.

Lifestyle

 

The lifestyle of a student is definitely a challenging experience, but it’s also an enjoyable experience which you will remember for the rest of your life. 

One of the exciting qualities about studying at a college is experiencing a brand new culture. Studying outside of your home country means that you get the opportunity to meet new friends whilst exploring a new city. You also have the chance to feel a part of the university by joining societies and attending student events. The campus lifestyle helps you to grow as a person as you gain independency and build upon your intelligence.

The campus lifestyle however isn’t for everyone. For students who simply wish to stay in their hometown and carry on with their home commitments, then online learning is best for you. Studying online doesn’t necessarily mean that you miss out on opportunities. Online students still get the chance to interact with classmates through online portals in the comfort of their own home. Studying online at an accredited US or UK University in your home town is a great experience in itself. Online students still have the opportunity to experience a different universities culture through the way in which they are taught. Online learning also helps to develop great communication and computer skills, which always come in handy for future aspects.

Finance

The final factor to consider when deciding upon online or campus learning is the financial cost. Education comes at a price, but EFA want to help with your education fees and decide on the best plan for you.   Scholarships are available through a range of our campus and online programs, depending on the institution you choose to study at.

Conventionally, online programs are less-costly than campus programs. This is because campus students pay for a wider choice of facilities i.e. campus library, equipment, class time etc. This does not mean that campus students are prioritized over online students. Online students receive the same amount of resources and guidance, except everything they need will be available to them online i.e. e-books & webinars.  

The choice merely depends on whether you want to pay for the facilities and experiences or not. Nethertheless, price plans can be discussed between an EFA admissions representative and yourself, so that deciding upon institutions and programs is best-suited to you.

A vital point to remember is that one style of learning isn’t ‘better’ than the other. Whether you decide to study online or on campus, you will still be treated the same as every other student. If you require more information about online and campus learning please get in contact with an admissions representative today: 

PHONE NO:  786.206.3531

www.efalearning.com

Alternatively, we invite you visit our social media site:

www.facebook.com/efalearning

www.twitter.com/EFALearning

Our admissions team is highly qualified in ensuring that you choose the right path for your academic success.

Welcome!

Education for Advancement would like to welcome you to the official EFA Learning blog page!

We at EFA want to expand and improve our communication systems with you through the power of social media, by keeping you up-to-date with the latest news and developments that are taking place with EFA.

We pride ourselves in being diverse and committed to our student’s needs, which is why we want to engage with you further by blogging about current student affairs.

This blog will be a weekly helpful guide for all our past, current and future students who wish to receive information about studies, exams and the general lifestyle of a student.

Whether you are studying online or on a campus, EFA are devoted to giving students around the world equal opportunities. We want to help you achieve your educational goals, by sticking by you through the entire journey of becoming a student. 

www.facebook.com/efalearning 

www.twitter.com/EFALearning