There are two types of accreditation in the United States, general and programmatic. The first is concerned with the quality of an entire institution, the second with the quality of a specific program. In recent years the number of specialized programmatic accreditation agencies has grown rapidly, and their functions have changed. They are no longer concerned merely with establishing minimum standards, and many, in fact, manage curricula, institutional policies, and procedures; prescribe admissions standards; specify staffing levels and job descriptions; and control facility use. Colleges have become increasingly concerned with the impact of program accreditation because of the financial costs associated with accreditation; the overlapping responsibilities of accreditation agencies and of colleges and other agencies; and increasing doubts as to whether accreditation improves educational quality. Colleges should seek solutions to these and other problems of accreditation by determining the appropriate role of accreditation in the school and the agencies to be associated with. Before becoming involved with an accreditation agency, colleges should determine if accreditation is necessary for graduates' employment, if it will lead to an improved program, what the costs will be, and if the school can live with the agency's requirements. If accreditation is deemed necessary, an accreditations officer should be appointed, and accreditation visits should be minimized. (HB)