title: Consumer beware: a few words about accreditation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this paper is to point out the dangers inherent in choosing schools or programs from the internet, particularly in the field of health services, which may not be accredited, and therefore not recognized either by other institutions or by employers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The problem is described and some of the better known American accrediting agencies are listed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The paper has practical implications in terms of providing useful steps for anyone interested in exploring a health services career through ongoing education.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The paper represents a viewpoint from the perspective of an American accreditation consultant who is familiar with the organizational and program accreditation system in the USA.
authors.affiliation: Revans University, Boulder, Colorado, USA. baskinglory@earthlink.net
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brownell
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation; D002755:Choice Behavior; D006296:Health Services; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D014481:United States