As an accredited institution, UMGC offers respected degrees in many career-relevant fields.
University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 1007 North Orange Street, 4th Floor, MB #166, Wilmington, DE 19801. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
What Is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a sign of credibility. It denotes institutional quality. Once an organization opens itself to outside examination, an accrediting body reviews specific standards and criteria and offers the institution opportunities for self-improvement. The Council on Higher Education Accreditation and the United States Department of Education evaluate and recognize accrediting bodies that meet their standards.
Types of Accreditations
Regional Accreditation and National Accreditation
As of 1 July 2020, the U.S. Department of Education is no longer using or recognizing the terms "regional accreditation” or “national accreditation.” Instead, accrediting agencies and institutions can use either “institutional accreditation” or “national recognition.” UMGC has chosen to use the term, "institutional accreditation."
Institutional Accreditation
Public and private universities and colleges that offer a wide range of programs typically hold institutional (formerly regional) accreditation. To receive institutional accreditation, a university must pass a peer review by faculty and administrators from similar institutions. All of the institutions within the University System of Maryland, including UMGC, are institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the accrediting body available to Maryland and surrounding states.
Programmatic Accreditation or Recognition
This type of accreditation or recognition is given to a program, rather than to an institution, by a professional association affiliated with a particular academic discipline. It is assigned to an academic program that meets certain requirements set by that professional association.