While National Accreditation is common for traditional higher learning institutions in the U.S. utilizing standard teaching methods, we note that every country has its own standards and independent accrediting organizations. Accreditation is a voluntary process and does not guarantee a worthy education. Rather, it means an institution has submitted its courses, programs, budget, and educational objectives for peer review.
Aston American University’s distance learning programs are unique, nontraditional, and currently not accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. This may be a determining factor for those individuals interested in pursuing certain disciplines requiring state licensing, (such as law, teaching, or medicine). It is recommended that students consider the importance of National Accreditation for a specific field or profession, and make a decision accordingly.
Although Aston American University's distance learning degree programs are distinct from traditional educational institutions, we are convinced of its value and acceptance worldwide. Nontraditional programs are important because it recognizes knowledge gained outside the the classroom and incorporates a broader, more comprehensive view of the learning experience. It is precisely this recognition and view that challenges the established academic community. Many great institutions are unaccredited. We invite you to compare our programs and philosophies with traditional classroom-based programs to determine which is best suited to your needs and budget.
ASTON AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IS NOT ACCREDITED BY AN ACCREDITING AGENCY RECOGNIZED BY THE UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF EDUCATION.
Note: In the United States, many licensing authorities require accredited degrees as the basis for eligibility for licensing. In some cases, accredited colleges may not accept transfer courses and degrees completed at unaccredited colleges. And some employers may require an accredited degree as a basis for eligibility for employment.
The following was written by Rana Tarakji and originally published in the The Almost Done: A tech, business and social media news and updates publication.
Ways you can use AAUN's degree to help you succeed in your career:
Acquire new knowledge and skills. There is no ‘accreditation’ when it comes to knowledge and learning. Any new and additional education that will help increase your knowledge and skills is always a good thing. Once you have spent a few years in your chosen career, any advancement is not solely dependent on additional accredited degrees you have earned. What usually matters more are your knowledge and skills, how you apply them in your job, and how you pursue ways to improve them. Getting an unaccredited degree will say one thing about you – you want to learn more and you are willing to invest in your own learning.
Prepare for advancements in the workplace. If you are gunning for advancement in your workplace, taking the initiative for your professional development is a step in the right direction. Taking up an additional degree that can be vital in the role you would like to fill, even if the online education provider is unaccredited, will still help you prepare for the demands and responsibilities of that role. Aside from performing excellently in your current position in the workplace, being more proactive in acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills for a higher position says a lot about your commitment.
Learn from experts in your field. Choosing a degree program that allows you to work closely with experts in your field will provide you with invaluable experience. Even if the online education provider is unaccredited, the opportunity to learn from experts in your field will be hard to pass up. Not only will it be valuable for building your network, you will earn knowledge and skills that can only be gained from actual experiences of these experts.
Pursue a research idea. If you have a research idea that will be valuable for your workplace, why not hit two birds with one stone by enrolling in a degree and using your idea as a dissertation topic? Not only will you be able to pursue your research idea, you get to earn a degree with it as well.
Achieve new levels of influence and credibility. Even if the degree you earned is unaccredited, the knowledge and skills you will gain from it can help you build your confidence in your career and in the workplace. This may seem trivial to some people, but the ability to ‘sell’ yourself to others in your field requires a great deal of self-confidence. You will feel more influential and credible because of the added knowledge and skills you have acquired.
