U.S. Education Department Finalizes Overhaul of College Accreditation Requirements

The U.S. Education Department has issued a final rule significantly overhauling college accreditation requirements, implementing Executive Order 14279. The new rule reshapes what accreditors must demand from member institutions regarding transfer credit, student outcomes, viewpoint neutrality, and agency independence. It also eliminates the two-year waiting period for new accrediting agencies to seek federal recognition and removes geographic-scope restrictions.