Accreditation Policy

While National Accreditation is common for traditional U.S. institutions of higher learning, 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 review. Kingston University Distance Learning Programs are unique, non-traditional and 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 you consider the importance of National Accreditation for your specific field or profession and make your decision accordingly.

Although Kingston University's individualized Distance Learning Degree Programs, are distinct from traditional educational institutions, we are convinced of their value and acceptance worldwide. Non-traditional programs are important because they recognize knowledge gained outside the classroom and incorporate a broader more comprehensive view of the learning experience. It is precisely this recognition and view that challenges the established Academic Community. For example, Kingston University programs allow for a unique personalized program of study by permitting the student to follow an open curriculum where the cases and courses taken are not pre-defined but collaboratively determined by the student and faculty to best align the student's desires, interests, industry specific needs, local/regional opportunities, employment goals, and past knowledge into their program. In this way we can ensure that the content followed by each student is focused, up to date, and addresses real world concerns that will pay dividends immediately and after graduation in the student’s profession. By incorporating andragogic (self-directed) principles of learning the Kingston University student uses the tools and resources available at the university while seeking to act upon real world tasks, projects, assignments, that have real substance and meaning not just theoretical, to earn credits and complete academic requirements. Such an approach leads to an improved holistic development of the individual with deeper learning and greater confidence to take on the challenges that are common place in today's fast paced, global, and constantly changing environment. Therefore, for the benefit of our students, Kingston University has decided to be an autonomous university complying with all local and federal regulations in the US where accreditation is a voluntary process. Kingston University has avoided seeking accreditation by a recognized agency by the US Deptartment of Education because that process is obsolete and would be in conflict with the University's Mission to offer affordable, quality higher education to the non-traditional student (one who must work, study what he really needs for professional advancement, attend family issues, etc.). We also believe that adoption of these agencies criteria would impose increased financial burdens on students while severely limiting opportunities to the students to get their degree and advance in all aspects. Many great institutions are unaccredited. We invite you to compare our programs and philosophy with traditional classroom-based programs to determine which is best suited to your needs and budget.

KINGSTON UNIVERSITY IS NOT ACCREDITED BY AN ACCREDITING AGENCY RECOGNIZED BY THE UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF EDUCATION.

Kingston University Distance Learning Programs are unique, non-traditional and not accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. It is recommended that you consider the importance of National Accreditation for your specific field or profession and make your decision accordingly.

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 for transfer courses and degrees completed at unaccredited colleges, and some employers may require an accredited degree as a basis for eligibility for employment. Kingston University is incorporated in the state of Delaware. As a University based in the US, Kingston University meets all state and federal laws of the United States. There is no distinction between the programs offered through Kingston University and those of traditional campus based programs with regards to the following: your degree, transcript and other graduation documents from Kingston University follow the same standard used by all US colleges and universities.

Common Questions about Accreditation

Is accreditation necessary?

Accreditation is necessary only if it is necessary for you. If your purpose calls for an accredited degree—or, “regionally accredited”, or accredited by a particular agency—accreditation is of course necessary. However, for many learners, the purpose for achieving the degree is a personal or professional goal that does not require accreditation. In those cases, you can make a decision about a school based on its merits and offerings, apart from accreditation.

Is Kingston University accredited by an accreditor approved by the US Department of Education?

Kingston University is not accredited by an accreditation agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education. Such approval is a voluntary process, and in fact, the U.S. Department of Education states that accreditation itself is a voluntary process. There is no mandate by federal law for a School, College or University to be accredited. Many good schools are not accredited. Also, each accreditor has their own unique standards and, thus, there is no national consistency in institutional accreditation. Accreditation in the United States is awarded by non-US governmental agencies. Again, accreditation is strictly a voluntary option in the United States and many high-quality, legitimate and legal Colleges and Universities and other institutions of higher education operate today without accreditation.

“The United States has no Federal Ministry of Education or other centralized authority exercising single national control over postsecondary educational institutions in this country. The States assume varying degrees of control over education, but, in general, institutions of higher education are permitted to operate with considerable independence and autonomy. As a consequence, American educational institutions can vary widely in the character and quality of their programs. In order to insure a basic level of quality, the practice of accreditation arose in the United States as a means of conducting non-governmental, peer evaluation of educational institutions and programs. Private educational associations of regional or national scope have adopted criteria reflecting the qualities of a sound educational program and have developed procedures for evaluating institutions or programs to determine whether or not they are operating at basic levels of quality.” (U.S. Dept Education website).

Will employers accept degrees which are not accredited by an accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education?

Each employer has its prerogative as to what types of educational credentials it will or will not accept for each particular job or position. Employers basically have a right to define qualifications for jobs. If there is a concern as to whether a current employer will accept or not accept such degrees, the student or prospective student should approach the employer about this issue or concern.

Does an accredited degree guarantee that I will have a great learning experience in my program? What about the transfer of my credits to other schools?

No. Accreditation does not guarantee learning. Learning is an individual experience and the outcomes of the process are varied and individual. Accreditation does not guarantee a particular level of learning of any higher learning institution. Each school basically develops its own policies/procedures for the acceptance of transfer credits and/or acceptance of degrees for entry into other degree programs. Each student must obtain information regarding requirements if they plan to pursue higher education. Here is what the U.S. Department of Education has published on their website regarding transfer of credits:

“Accreditation does not provide automatic acceptance by an institution of credit earned at another institution, nor does it give assurance of acceptance of graduates by employers. Acceptance of students or graduates is always the prerogative of the receiving institution or employer. For these reasons, besides ascertaining the accredited status of a school or program, students should take additional measures to determine, prior to enrollment, whether or not their educational goals will be met through attendance at a particular institution. These measures should include inquiries to institutions to which transfer might be desired or to prospective employers and, if possible, personal inspection of the institution at which enrollment is contemplated.” (Reference: U.S. Department of Education Website).

Kingston University does not make any guarantees that credits awarded by the University will be accepted as transfer credits to other schools. If credit transfer is your goal, then we suggest you to contact the university you wish to transfer your credits and ascertain their policies for transferring credits.