Independent, non-profit, membership organizations providing accreditation services are responsible for the evaluation and accreditation of eligible on-line institutions, ensuring they meet the stringent standards set by the accrediting bodies.

Woodfield University is an accredited institution recognized by Universal Accreditation Agency for Online Education (UAAOE) – a renowned accreditation agency for online education.

This accreditation agency was founded with the aim of providing a standard by which distance-education institutions can be judged on the quality of the educational service, educational standards, and ethical business practices they provide.

What is accreditation?

Accreditation is a process through which a university maintains and improves its standards and practices. Accrediting organizations develop a criteria or standards by which a university can be measured. It is the responsibility of accrediting organizations to ensure quality, accountability, and improvement in universities that are accredited by them.

Why is accreditation important?

Accreditation is important to various constituent groups because it represents an institution's commitment to quality education.

Being accredited warrants that an institution meets the quality criteria set by the accreditation agencies. Business and industry leaders are interested in quality universities and consider accreditation status an important factor when hiring.

Citizens are assured of accountability and of value for their tuition dollars knowing their university meets established standards and undergoes regular re-evaluation by teams of professionals whose focus is on university improvement.

On what basis is accreditation offered?

Non-governmental agencies or boards establish certain standards required of an institution or university in order to become accredited. Their core function is to promote high-quality distance education by identifying standards that outline the best educational practices. These boards or agencies evaluate the institute or university in the following areas:

• Institution's mission/vision
• Educational practices
• Administration
• Faculty
• Financial stability
• Policies and student services

Institutions meeting the standards set for each of these areas are granted accreditation.

How are universities granted accreditation?

Accreditation is offered only to those universities or institutes that meet the strict standards
set by the official and semi-official agencies or boards. There are several non-governmental
agencies which are highly committed to improving the educational standards of on-line
universities, in particular those which are offering degrees based on working adults' life/work
experience or those who test the aptitude of degree-seekers by taking an online equivalency
test.

A few of these non-governmental agencies or boards performing accreditation services are as following:

• Universal Accreditation Agency for Online Education (UAAOE)
• Board of Online Universities Accreditation (BOUA)
• World Online Education Accrediting Commission (WOEAC)
• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSACS)
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
• Northwest Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (NASCU)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

All the above-mentioned boards or agencies are well-known and enjoy worldwide recognition.