The study sought information on specialized accreditation regarding: (1) extensiveness, (2) effects upon program development, and (3) concerns of specialized agencies related to standards of training. Methodology consisted of: (1) study of materials and legislation relating to the scope and function of professional and regional accrediting agencies, (2) interviews with key personnel of accrediting agencies, (3) questionnaire survey of 43 2-year institutions in 18 states with both regional and/or specialized accreditation, and (4) a questionnaire survey of five professional associations most active in 2-year college vocational programs. Extensive findings and conclusions include the following: (1) The specialized agency visualizes its role as protecting the welfare of the public, while the institution perceives the agency as a source of help in improving programs and considers specialized accreditation a device for increasing prestige, attracting better students, and securing funds, (2) Specialized agencies have not proliferated at a great rate, (3) Regional and specialized accreditation appear to reinforce each other, and (4) The task appears to be to devise a means by which each of the forms can facilitate the other. (JK)