What is programmatic accreditation?

Programmatic accreditation refers to the formal recognition that a specific academic program within an institution meets established standards of quality and effectiveness set by a recognized accrediting body. This type of accreditation focuses on the educational offerings and the outcomes of particular programs—such as a psychology, nursing, or engineering program—rather than the institution as a whole.

This distinction is important because while an institution may have overall accreditation, it does not automatically guarantee that every program it offers meets the desired educational criteria. Programmatic accreditation ensures that the particular program's curriculum, faculty qualifications, student outcomes, and resources align with the high standards specific to that field of study.

In this context, options referring to general institutional approval, national certification, or state approval for practice do not capture the specific nature of programmatic accreditation, which emphasizes the recognition of the educational quality of distinct programs rather than the institution or practice guidelines.