Accreditation is the public recognition an association or agency grants a school that meets certain qualifications and educational standards.
What the catalog says
“Accreditation is the process whereby an association or agency, recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education, grants public recognition to a school, institute, college, or university, which meets certain qualifications and educational standards, as determined through initial and periodic evaluations.”
On its purpose: “The essential purpose of the accreditation process is to provide a professional peer reviewed conclusion as to the quality of the educational institution or programs offered.”
Where it applies
InterCoast Colleges’ catalog states this under “ACCREDITATION” (p. 9).
The same section adds: “Please note: InterCoast Colleges is offering a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Addiction Studies with approval from its accreditor, ACCET. This Bachelor’s Degree is not currently approved for Title IV funding.”