Institutional accreditation reviews an institution as a whole: its governance, resources, staff, student services and quality systems. Programmatic accreditation reviews a single program, or in EAHEA’s case also a single course, against standards for that program. The first says that the institution works to a standard, but it does not cover every degree. The second says that a named program meets a standard, and it does not say anything about the rest of the institution.
Choosing between the two, or deciding to hold both, depends on what the institution wants to show and to whom. Students and employers also need to know which kind they are looking at, because the claim “accredited” means different things. This guide compares the two across scope, evidence, claims, validity and cost, shows how EAHEA’s four accreditation services fit, and explains how to combine them. It is based on the published information of the European Association for Higher Education Advancement (EAHEA).
Side by Side
| Question | Institutional | Programmatic |
|---|---|---|
| What is reviewed? | The institution as a whole | One program, or one course |
| Main focus | Governance, finance, staff, resources, student services, quality assurance | Curriculum, outcomes, teaching, assessment, workload, resources for that program |
| What does it tell a reader? | The institution operates to a standard | This specific program meets a standard |
| Does it cover every program? | No | Only the program named |
| Best for | Institutions that want an overall quality statement | Institutions or providers that want to show the quality of a particular program or course |
| Effort | Larger evidence set | Smaller, focused evidence set |
| Typical claim | “Institutionally accredited” | “This program is accredited” |
Scope
The scope decides what a claim can say. Institutional accreditation does not extend to individual degrees, programs or courses, so a university with institutional accreditation cannot say that every program is accredited. Programmatic accreditation covers only the program named, so an institution with one accredited program cannot say that it is an accredited institution. Both statements are common errors in marketing.
What Reviewers Examine
| Area | Institutional | Programmatic |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status and ownership | Yes, in detail | Briefly, as eligibility |
| Governance and finance | Yes | Limited |
| Program specification and outcomes | Across the programs | In detail for the one program |
| Syllabi and assessment | Samples | The full set for the program |
| Staff | All teaching and administrative staff | Staff who teach the program |
| Student services | Institution-wide | As they relate to the program |
| Quality assurance system | The whole system | Program review and evaluation |
See documents typically required in an accreditation application.
What You May Claim
- State the type and the scope exactly, as shown in the public record.
- Use the seal or logo only in the way that the accrediting body allows. See accreditation logos and seals: rules for responsible use.
- On a program page, say “this program is accredited by” and name the body, and on the institution’s home page, say “institutionally accredited” only if it is.
- Do not imply that accreditation means government recognition or credit acceptance.
The Four EAHEA Services
| Service | Level | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Full Accreditation | Institutional | The institution as a whole |
| Online Accreditation | Institutional | An institution that teaches online |
| Program Accreditation | Programmatic | One degree program with a curriculum of more than 300 clock hours |
| Course Accreditation | Programmatic | A single course |
Program Accreditation can be obtained with or without institutional accreditation or any other EAHEA service. See Program Accreditation: reviewing one program instead of the whole institution and Course Accreditation: quality review for individual courses.
Which to Choose
- If the goal is to show that the institution as a whole works to a standard, choose institutional accreditation.
- If the institution is a short-course or online platform with many courses, consider whether institutional accreditation for online provision fits, or course-by-course review for the main courses.
- If the goal is to show that one flagship program meets a standard, choose Program Accreditation.
- If a single course is the product, choose Course Accreditation.
- If the institution is not ready for a full review, a program or course review is a smaller first step.
The decision guide is in choosing between Full, Online, Program and Course Accreditation.
Holding Both
An institution may hold institutional accreditation and also accreditation for particular programs. This is common where specific programs lead to professions or where the institution wants to show extra assurance. Keep the claims separate on the website and in documents, and keep an up-to-date list of what is accredited and until when. For EAHEA Program Accreditation, renewal is automatic and free if the institution holds valid Full or Online Accreditation on the renewal date. Otherwise a renewal fee applies.
Reading Claims as a Student
- Find out which kind of accreditation is claimed, and by whom.
- Check the public record for the institution and for your program.
- If only the institution is accredited, ask whether the program is covered, or what the institutional accreditation means for it.
- If a program is accredited, look at the institution too, because the rest of your experience depends on it.
See how to verify an accredited institution in a public directory.
Limits
- Both kinds of accreditation are voluntary and non-governmental reviews. They do not replace legal authorization and do not guarantee recognition, acceptance of credits, visas or jobs.
- Terms and standards differ between accrediting bodies. Read how each defines its service.
- Fees follow the World Bank income class of the applicant’s country and are on the Service Fees page. EAHEA does not guarantee any outcome of a review.
Services This Guide Covers
Frequently Asked Questions
Institutional accreditation reviews the whole institution. Programmatic accreditation reviews one program, or in EAHEA’s case a program or a course.
No. It does not extend to individual degrees, programs or courses.
Yes, with claims kept separate and accurate.
Full Accreditation and Online Accreditation. Program Accreditation and Course Accreditation are programmatic.
Yes. It can be obtained with or without institutional accreditation or any other EAHEA service.
The type of accreditation claimed, the public record and whether the specific program is covered.