A liberal arts program or university accreditation by a nationally recognized agency provides assurance to the public, specifically to prospective students, that a university or organization meets an agency's stated requirements and criteria. The university or organization must also show that they are likely to continue to meet the stated requirement and criteria.

Accreditation of a liberal arts program provides a public certification that the university or institution has acceptable quality and an incentive for self-improvement within the accredited organization. A nationally recognized agency reaches the conclusion that the institution or program, like a liberal arts program, meets the stated criteria only after the university or college opens itself to examination by experienced evaluators who are familiar with accreditation requirements as well as higher education. This process provides the organization with an opportunity for self-examination and critical self-analysis which leads to improvement in quality as well as consultation and advice from individuals from other organizations.

Institutional accrediting agencies evaluate an entire educational organization, including the liberal arts program, in terms of the organizations mission and the standards of criteria set forth by the agency. Aside from assessing formal educational activities, the agency evaluates the governance and administration, admissions and student services, financial stability, institutional effectiveness, student learning, institutional resources and relationships with external and internal constituencies.

There are a number of a nationally recognized accreditation agencies that examine institutions and programs, like a liberal arts program. All agencies have a detailed evaluation process that must be completed before an organization receives an accreditation.

Here is an example of five-step evaluation process to determine accredited status for an institution or program, like a liberal arts program:

An organization must engage in a self-study for approximately two years and prepare a detailed report of the findings in accordance with the evaluators' expectations.

The evaluating agency then sends an evaluation team of consultants to conduct an in-depth visit and write a report pertaining to the team's recommendations.

A Readers Panel or Review Committee then reviews the documents pertaining to the comprehensive visit.

A board of experienced peer reviewers and representatives of the public then take action, in terms of approving or declining the organizations accreditation, on the panels' recommendations. If a review committee conducted the visit they take action.

Finally, a board of trustees validates the work of the peer reviewers and representatives or review committee, which finalizes the action.

Many colleges and universities undergo the accreditation process in order to build a credible and valid reputation among the public and other institutions. These schools are held to high standards and must maintain these standards in order to receive a renewal. Schools and programs, such as a liberal arts program, that are accredited are more respected by other institutions and employers.

Accreditation protects graduates, students and future employers. Graduates and undergraduates, of liberal art programs and others, desire a well-respected degree and reputable education leading to favorable employment opportunities. Employers desire well-educated individuals who are competent in their field. University accreditation plays a vital role for students who wish to transfer credits. Students have a better chance of their previous credits transferring to a new degree program, like a liberal arts program, if their former school was accredited. An accredited university allows you more educational and professional mobility.