The background of institutional accreditation in the United States is described, and its initial purposes outlined. The recent expanded uses of accreditation are attributed to several factors: the growth of specialization in all professional areas; the use of accreditation in determining eligibility for public funds; and pressures from minority groups on governments to provide for their participation in postsecondary education. These new uses are also categorized in four groups: (1) internal to institutional administration; (2) external; (3) professional; and (4) societal. Comments are made and questions asked about the future of accreditation. (MSE)