Hi I am new to this website and I think this website is great.  I am already enrolled into University of Missouri for Masters in Nursing Public health and it will take me 3 years to graduate and they are accredited with Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.  I then spoke to Independence University for MSN for Community health and the enrollment person told me in 12 months i can finish but they are accredited with Distance Education and Training Council, Accrediting Commissio.    What is the difference between both these accrediations?  Would it affect job opportunities and I pursue in a Professor position in a College with any of these degrees?  The time frame in recieving this graduate degree seems attractive, but does anyone have any opinions in how hard are both these programs?  IU states if i pay 9500 for a flat fix rate for a year i can get 10 percent back at the end of the year when i finish all 12 courses, but i have to finish exactly in 12 months and Missouri is 295 per credit and that comes out to be 12,000 for three years. Can someone please give me some advice?

Stick with the University of Missouri.  They are regionally accredited, while Independence is nationally acrredited.  Regional accrediation is superior to national accredidation. And if you intend to become a professor, then regional accrediation is even more important to have.  So the bottom line is to stick with your current school. 

Here's an article about the differences in accreditation:

http://www.elearners.com/resources/accreditation.asp

While Independence is a fine school, and they'd likely be fine for hospital employment, I agree with Donald that if your goals include teaching at a university that regional accreditation is an absolute must.  While I'm not personally familiar with the University of Missouri, state schools are usually a decent bet, and that's a very good price especially for the career boost you'll likely get from it.

Good luck,

-=Steve=-

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B.S., Info Sys, Charter Oak State College
M.A., Educational Tech Leadership, George Washington University
Doctor of Health Education, A.T. Still University, in progress

Of the two I'd have to say University of Missouri.  I think you'd get more utility and likely a higher return on your investment than with Independence.  I personally have nothing agains DETC degrees, but in licensed professions like nursing, RA is always the safest play.

Thank you Donald and Steve,

I have though about it and I also see that University of Missouri would be more reputable.  I am going to keep my registration process.  It took a long time for me to get into the school, so why not continue?  I will keep everyone posted how University of Missouri treats their nursing students.  

Im sorry Cajun,

What does RA mean?

my bad...RA = regionally accredited (basically the standard in accreditation and arguably the most acceptable form of accreditation)