The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) is a private, non-profit organization recognized by the United States Secretary of Education[1] as an independent national accrediting body that accredits institutions of higher education offering programs of study through the master's degree level.[2][3] Established in 1965,[4] the ACCSC is headquartered in Arlington,Virginia. As of 2010, it extends accreditation to 789 schools that together enroll more than 250,000 students.[5]
The scope of ACCSC recognition by the U.S. Department of Education is defined as the accreditation of private postsecondary institutions offering non-degree programs or associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in programs that are "predominantly organized to educate students for occupational, trade and technical careers, and institutions that offer programs via distance education."[1]