accredit

Accredit is a verb meaning to grant official recognition that an entity meets defined standards. Accreditation is performed by independent bodies rather than by the entity itself and serves as a formal endorsement that the institution, program, or service conforms to specified criteria and is eligible for benefits such as eligibility for funding, participation in programs, or public trust.

In education and health care, accrediting organizations assess readiness and quality through a process that usually combines a self-study by the applicant, on-site reviews by peer evaluators, and evaluation against published standards. Standards typically cover governance and leadership, finances, faculty qualifications, student services, and outcomes. The process often results in a multi-year decision with follow-up reports, interim monitoring, and potential conditions applied to maintain or improve accreditation. Some systems rely on regional or national accrediting networks, while others operate at the international level for cross-border programs.

Accreditation is distinct from licensing and professional certification. Licensing is generally a government grant that authorizes practice within a jurisdiction; certification is typically a credential awarded by a professional association to individuals or programs that meet defined competencies. Accreditation focuses on the quality and integrity of institutions or programs rather than the permissibility of an individual practitioner.

Examples include U.S. higher education accreditation by regional commissions (such as the Higher Learning Commission) and specialized health care accreditation by bodies like The Joint Commission, as well as national or international accrediting frameworks in other countries. Critics note that accreditation can be costly, vary in rigor across accrediting bodies, and may emphasize compliance over educational innovation.