Getting accredited is an important step for any university’s validity. Here are three interesting facts about university accreditation.

1. There Are Three Main Types of Accreditation

The three main accreditation types are national, regional and programmatic. National and regional accreditation both apply to the school as a whole. Programmatic accreditation is for specific majors or professional training. For example, the Grand Canyon University accreditation team may seek institution-wide accreditation or accreditation for specific programs. You can also receive a religious accreditation, but this is a separate process specifically for religious educational institutions, such as rabbinical schools.

2. Accredited Universities Use the .edu Domain Address

Accreditation is important for a university’s reputation. Students want to go to accredited universities. An easy way to tell if a university is accredited is to check whether its internet domain address ends with .edu. For the most part, only accredited institutions can use the .edu address. For example, the Grand Canyon University reputation benefits from the ability to use .edu because it’s obvious proof that the school is accredited.

3. Many Recognized Institutional Accreditors Exist

You have many options to choose from when you’re looking for an accreditor for your school. First, determine whether you want national, regional or programmatic accreditation. If you want national or regional accreditation, look for an organization that the U.S. Department of Education (ED) recognizes as an institutional accreditor, such as the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools or the New England Commission of Higher Education. If you want programmatic accreditation, look for organizations such as the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. The ED and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation both recognize these organizations. These organizations should also be affiliated with the Association of Professional and Specialized Accreditors.

Higher education institutions need to be accredited for many reasons. For example, it ensures they’re recognized as quality providers of education and that their credits can transfer.