Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges


Overview

The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges is a private, 501 nonprofit organization in the United States that provides accreditation to private post-secondary educational institutions. It is recognized by the United States Department of Education as an independent accrediting agency. Established in 1965, it is based in Arlington, Virginia.
The U.S. Department of Education identifies the scope of ACCSC recognition as the accreditation of private post-secondary 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."
As of 2010, ACCSC reported that it extended accreditation to 789 schools with a combined enrollment of more than 250,000 students.

Involvement in US Homeland Security Operations

The University of Northern New Jersey, which claimed to have been accredited by the commission, never actually offered any classes. The University of Northern New Jersey was actually a front organization used by federal investigators to trap individuals engaged in student visa fraud. The executive director of the ACCSC stated that it had listed the University of Northern New Jersey as being accredited on its website in order to cooperate with the federal investigation.
The University of Farmington was another front organization used by federal investigators to trap individuals engaged in student visa fraud. Federal prosecutors said that over 600 students enrolled at the University of Farmington only to obtain a visa to the United States and not to actually study. The ACCSC also listed the University of Farmington as having been accredited.