Benefits

Now that you know the steps of the accreditation process and how the overall process works, you should also know about the benefits of the accreditation process and how those benefits apply to you.

For Training Center:

As you now know, accreditation is the tool used around the world, to monitor, assess, and evaluate the standards and quality of the education a student receives at a college, university, or other institution of higher learning. Because of the process of accreditation, new students, returning students, and families of students can trust that the education they are paying for is valuable and worth their time, money, and effort.

Accreditation status indicates that a college, university, institution, or program meets the standards of quality set by the accreditation organization, in terms of faculty, curriculum, administration, libraries, financial well-being, and student services.

While a student who attends an accredited college, university, or other institution of higher learning can be assured that he or she will receive a quality education, students should remember that a college or university’s accreditation does not automatically guarantee a student’s academic success. It is, of course, up to the individual student to make the most of the education he or she receives! But if a larger than average number of students attending a college or university are not successful and do not demonstrate a high level of educational performance, an accreditation organization may need to step in to examine the effectiveness of the institution and evaluate what aspects of the institution need to be improved.

Aside from the promise of overall quality educational opportunities, an institution’s accreditation status provides students with many other benefits as well.

Most employers prefer to hire job applicants who have gained their education from a college or university with the appropriate accreditation status. Many employers also look to see that employees have been educated at an appropriately accredited institution when making decisions about business promotions, company advancements, and whether to provide tuition coverage or assistance for employees who wish or need to further their education. It is also common for states to require that a college, university, or program be accredited when allowing students to acquire state professional licensure.

For Organizations:

Accreditation benefits human rights organizations, participants, and the enterprise as a whole. The accreditation process requires organizations to take a comprehensive look at their standards, mission, vision and services to identify and address any weaknesses and to build upon their strengths. The result is a more cohesive organization, with the systems in place not only to protect participants but also to advance human rights promotion more efficiently and effectively.

Advantages

  • The highest possible standards. LIHRIL’s high ethical and professional standards provide the most comprehensive protections for research participants. These standards exceed federal requirements for safeguarding participants and extend to all research studies overseen by an organization.
  • An assurance of quality. Accreditation is evidence of a quality research program. The LIHRIL seal indicates not only that an organization safeguards research participants but also that data are reliable and credible and the organization has made a commitment to continuous quality improvement.
  • Improved efficiency, effectiveness. LIHRIL requires organizations to take an unprecedented view of their research protection programs to make sure not just that policies and procedures are in place but also that they are documented and translated into practice. As a result, accredited organizations tend to have more streamlined and effective policies and procedures. These organizations also typically keep better records and are more likely to avoid costly shutdowns and problematic inspections.
  • A competitive edge. Sponsors and other funding agencies recognize that accredited organizations have more efficient operations, provide more comprehensive protections, and produce high-quality data. Increasingly, accreditation is expected to be a condition of research support.
  • Government recognition. Federal agencies acknowledge the value of accreditation. They have begun seeking accreditation for their own and using accreditation status to guide decisions. Regulators are more likely, for example, to target non-accredited organizations for inspections. With its commitment to quality and accountability, accreditation also is a viable alternative to further regulation.
  • Public trust, confidence. Prospective participants, and the public in general, are looking to the research enterprise to take responsibility for ensuring that research is conducted safely and ethically. Since accreditation is a voluntary, objective measure of quality, participants are more likely to choose organizations that have earned the LIHRIL seal.

Promoting Human Rights and International Law through Training and Accreditation