Colleges & Universities

Accreditation serves as an evaluation process within the American higher education system to assess and ensure the quality of higher education institutions. There are two types of accreditation; regional and national. Regional accreditation is primarily granted to institutions that offer degrees. Across the United States six regional accrediting organizations.

Oversee institutions within their respective geographic areas. On the hand national accreditation applies to both degree granting and non degree granting establishments such as career schools with many for profit institutions falling under this category. Unlike accreditors national accrediting bodies are not confined to specific geographical boundaries and have members spread throughout the country.

The United States Department of Education (USDOE) and Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognize accrediting organizations and consider them sufficient for overseeing educational institutions. The USDOE acknowledges accrediting bodies in accordance with laws and regulations. To be eligible for financial aid programs institutions must hold accreditation from an organization recognized by the USDOE; those lacking recognition cannot participate in these aid programs.

As for credit transfers, between institutions each individual institution has the authority to determine which credits they will accept from schools.

However it is generally true that accredited schools typically do not accept credits from nationally or non accredited schools. Regional and national accreditation focuses on evaluating the institution rather than specific programs. However there are cases where specific programs within an institution may have accreditation from accreditors in their respective fields. It’s important to note that this is not mandatory and can vary significantly between institutions. These specialized accreditors solely assess programs and do not reflect the overall quality of the institution.

For information you can refer to the US Department of Educations page, on accreditation.

Institutions that are participants in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)

Here is a list of institutions that’re part of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). You can find the list of participating institutions here. Additionally there are some institutions, in Connecticut that offer distance education degree programs but are not part of SARA.

Out-of-State Institutions Registered to Offer Online Instruction in Connecticut

• California Cost University
• California Institute of Integral Studies
• California Intercontinental University
• California Southern University
• Concordia University Irvine
• Academy of Art University
• Biola University
• Boston University
• UMASS Global
• Northcentral University
• Pacific College of Health and Science
• Samuel Merritt University
• San Jose State University
• Claremont College
• Devry University
• Fuller Theological Seminary
• United States University
• University of California Berkeley
• University of California, Davis
• University of San Diego
• Walden University
• Golden Gate University
• Los Angeles Film School
• Mount Saint Mary’s University (Approved through June 30, 2020)
• National University
• Saybrook University
• The Chicago School
• The Taft University

Independent Institutions

In-state, regionally-accredited, non-profit institutions licensed to operate in Connecticut

Other in-state, non-profit institutions licensed to operate in Connecticut

In-state, regionally-accredited, for-profit institutions licensed to operate in Connecticut

In-state, nationally-accredited, for-profit institutions licensed to operate in Connecticut

Out-of-state, regionally-accredited, non-profit institutions licensed to operate in Connecticut

College Certificate Programs licensed to operate in Connecticut

State-Supported Institutions

Connecticut State Universities

Connecticut Community Colleges

Federally-Supported Institution