CONFUSING TERMS AND THEIR MEANINGS

(TAKEN FROM THE 2003 PUBLISHED BOOKLET)

Today in America there is a plethora of terms regarding "Accreditation" (or other similar statuses) used by groups, educational institutions, accrediting commissions, and states. The following information should be of immense benefit to anyone who is confused about various terms appearing in catalogues and advertisements. If there is a term you've encountered not listed, please contact us TOLL FREE at: 1-800-803-2988 (central time zone).

Accreditation: A rather nebulous (unclear) term frequently used by educational institutions. Although some institutions use the term "accredited", it is of little value and does not guarantee any legal rights or good standing within any of the 50 states. There are various accrediting agencies not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Regional Accreditation: Four of these accrediting commissions (i.e., agencies) exist in the United States covering the North, South, East, and Western regions of the country. They are considered the standard commissions/agencies of governmental accreditation and are legally per mitted to accredit institutions that meet top-level criteria. Originally established by the U.S. Government after World War II to help veterans acquire scholarships and education, regional accrediting commissions accredit nearly all state universities, colleges, and various institutions of learning. Once an educational institution acquires regional accreditation, monies may be obtained for grants, scholarships, etc. And in some cases, money may be obtained from the U.S. Government to operate and pay for the daily expenses of the educational institution.

National Accreditation: These accrediting commissions are permitted to accredit educational institutions and most are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. However, in most circles "National Accreditation" is not respected as much as "Regional Accreditation." Holding national accreditation does not guarantee college scholarship monies from the U.S. Government.

Private Accreditation: At the present time, nearly all natural health colleges and institutes hold some kind of "Private Accreditation." Colleges are motivated to hold some form of accreditation since the public demands it. Although a "State License" is more respected and more difficult to acquire, "Private Accreditation" does, however, give some degree of confidence to the public, although it's relatively easy to obtain. Be informed that no state or governmental accreditating agency or state university will recognize any privately owned and operated accrediting association, organization, or society, regardless of their claims.

Affiliated: This term generally means an institution/school is "connected" in some manner to another educational institution (i.e., university, college, association, organization, or group). However, in a strict sense, the term "affiliate" is technically a "division" of some other entity, usually considered to be the "parent organization." With this in mind, it is important for the public to know that certain universities and colleges allow educational institutions/schools to "affiliate" under certain conditions as per strict criteria established by officials of the "parent" institution. In some instances, the subordinate school may be charged a one-time fee or on-going fee to be considered "in good standing" with the "parent organization." The "power" of a school that is "affiliated" with another educational institution may be limited, or in some cases there may be no limitations placed on the "affiliated school" (i.e., "subordinate institution") whatsoever. In a legal sense, the "parent organization" may be responsible for the claims and actions of an "affiliated institution."

Approved or Exempt: Some states permit the use of these terms for non-traditional colleges, but neither "approved" or "exempt" means an educational institution is licensed by the state. "Approved" or "Exempt" are terms that mean an institution has been granted permission to operate within the boundaries of a state if certain criteria are met.

Authorized: The State of California allows the term "Authorized College" or sometimes "State Authorized" for some non-traditional educational institutions. This does not mean such an institution is "State Licensed," nor does it mean it is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Such colleges holding this status are monitored closely by most state departments of higher education.

Certificate: Any association, organization, or educational institution may legally grant a "certificate" in almost any field or for any amount of study in most states. Usually "certificates" require a period of study for one year. However, some institutions may require a longer period of study depending on their criteria. To our knowledge, few states limit the use of the term "certificate" with the exception of the state of Wyoming. Note: A "certificate" is not a diploma, academic instrument, or degree.

Certified: Naturopaths have paid handsomely for the term "certified." However, the term carries more responsibility than one would imagine. The term carries more responsibility than one would imagine. The term "certified" causes the public to take notice and assume a respected group/agency is attesting to the skill of an individual in a particular field. For example: there are certified mechanics, body shops, plumbers, accountants, electricians, small engine repair shops, etc., (the list goes endlessly on and on and on...). Groups often gain a voice within states merely because a large number of people have joined their ranks and desire to possess the title "certified." The bottom line is, the term "certified" is no better than the group, association, organization, or agency that grants it. Not all organizations that grant "certification" to individuals are reliable, respected, accountable, or honest.
NOTE: Organizations and natural health assocations have not realized the seriousness of issuing a certificate that reads "Certified Naturopath". Should the certificate holder do something unethical or commit an illegal act, the group, association, or organization that granted the "certification" may be implicated in lawsuits by virtue of association with a defendant, and most probably be held legally liable by the courts.

Degree: A "degree" is regulated by most states up to a point. In the field of education, a "degree" is considered an academic legal instrument granted by a college or university to a student who has completed a prescribed course of study. A non-accredited Distance Learning Institution is usually given the status of "approved". However, this doesn't mean a college is licensed or accredited by the state where the institution is domiciled. Furthermore, such an institution is not permitted to advertise for enrollment unless it is "approved" by the state.

IMPORTANT COMMENT ON DEGREES: If the state or country where the educational institution is domiciled is not identified in the content of the degree or printed on the seal, the degree is usually not legal. When a graduate holds a degree that is not legally registered, approved, or authorized by the state where the educational institution is domiciled, a serious problem exists. For example: If by chance, a client/patient files a lawsuit against a practitioner for a matter relative to his/her natural health consultation, a shrewd lawyer will immediately recognize the validity of any degree.

NOTE: Many well-known natural health colleges in the United States have been able to bypass state laws and offer degrees in states where no approval has been given by the states. But according to our latest information, current legislation and State Attorney General's offices are making inroads to shut down such colleges. Some of these colleges are well-known and hold a high profile in the eyes of the American public. Once these natural health institutions are closed, the public will probably be shocked as to names of the institutions that were operating illegally.

Designation: The term "designation" does not mean "degree". A small number of natural health colleges in the United States not legally permitted to offer a degree in certain states now use the term "designation" for a certain study (i.e., some offer a "designation" in naturopathy). Webster's dictionary gives the meaning of designation as: "The act of pointing out; a specific indication; or that which designates; a distinguishing name, title, etc." Certain colleges using the term "designation" are rapidly gaining acceptance in America. Students falsely believe they have earned a "degree" when they are the holder of a "designation" which is not an academic instrument.

Diploma: Any association, organization, or educational institution may legally grant a "diploma" for the completion or study of some subject or field. Diplomas may be obtained within one to three years of supervised educational study. A "diploma" is NOT a "degree" and is not considered an academic instrument in most states. However, there are exceptions. Some states require the same criteria for a "diploma" as for a "degree". When one wants to obtain a "diploma" from an educational institution, it is best to contact the post-secondary educational division (sometimes known as the Proprietary Educational Division) of the state where the institution is domiciled to ascertain the legal status of a diploma.

Licensed: Some colleges not only offer a degree, but upon graduation offer a "license" to graduates. In particular, this has been a practice of several religious educational institutions. However, it has recently become a practice of naturopathic colleges as well. Many graduates of such schools have had legal charges brought against them in several states for using the term "licensed". In other words, organizations, associations, and colleges may "license" individuals, but when operating/practicing their profession within the boundaries of most states, they must be licensed by the state.

Registered: Some colleges of natural health are only required to "register" in a state if they qualify under a religious not-for-profit 501(c)3 exception status granted by the Internal Revenue Service. States take no responsibility for the claims or actions of such colleges. However, states often have to fix problems created by such institutions if they have a low level or self-imposed accountability. At the present time, there is a "crack-down" in all 50 states and U.S. territories on natural health colleges operating under the 501(c)3 not-for-profit tax-exempt status. These colleges are being told to "cease" operations. However, religious institutions are permitted to award religious degrees in certain fields, although they may be unaccredited.

NOTE: Some Natural Health Associations also offer various certificates granting individuals titles such as: Registered Naturopath, Registered Homeopath, or Registered Natural Health Practitioner, and sometimes the "Practitioner" may be referred to as "Consultant". The term "registered" gives the practitioner no legal authority in the 50 states and U.S. Territories, but will capture the attention of the public when one holds such a certificate. The idea of the term "registered" is for the holder to appear "legitimate".

State Licensed: To obtain a state license is difficult, to say the least. Some states follow the same criteria as that established by regional accrediting commissions. Although the term "State Licensed" is not completely understood by the public, a degree that is "State Licensed" is of more value and significance than a degree accredited by a private accrediting agency.

NOTE: At the present time in America, there are less than three non-traditional distance education natural health colleges that are state accredited.

State Registered: This term carries no legal standing. It simply means the educational institution is registered (or permitted to operate) in the state, but has no accreditation, license, or approval from the state.