Voluntary accreditation as carried out by the various accrediting bodies is a process uniquely American. Accreditation is sought voluntarily by institutions and is conferred by non-governmental bodies. Voluntary accreditation has two fundamental purposes: (1) quality assurance and (2) institutional and program improvement. There are two types of educational accreditation: institutional accreditation and specialized accreditation.
 
INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION
Institutional accreditation evaluates an entire institution and accredits it as a whole. An institutional accrediting body evaluates more than the formal educational activities of an institution; it assesses as well such characteristics as governance and administration, financial stability, admissions and student personnel services, institutional resources, and relationships with outside communities.
Several agencies provide institutional accreditation. Within the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation (COPA), a national umbrella organization for accrediting associations, six regional (Middle States, New England, North Central, Northwest, Southern, and Western) and six other accrediting associations are recognized as institutional accrediting associations. Some, such as the Association of Theological Schools and the American Association of Bible Colleges, provide institutional accreditation for institutions with particular religious purposes. Others, such as the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools and the Accrediting Commission for Career Schools/Colleges of Technology, accredit primarily institutions that are for-profit. The National Home Study Council accredits institutions that provide correspondence programs.
 
SPECIALIZED ACCREDITATION
Specific programs within a educational institution can also seek accreditation. This specialized (or program) accreditation evaluates particular units, schools, or programs within an institution and is often associated with national professional associations, such as those for engineering, medicine, or law, or with specific disciplines, such as business, education, psychology, or social work. There are more than forty such specialized bodies recognized by COPA.

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