Diane Auer Jones
October 29, 2026
For years, programmatic accrediting agencies have too often served the interests of the professional and trade associations that founded and own them, typically at the expense of students. Trade association efforts to elevate the status of the occupations they represent, demand expanded professional opportunities and extract higher pay have been accompanied by calls to increase the minimum educational credential required for new entrants to the field. The cart always seems to come before the horse. These efforts have resulted in needlessly costly education programs and unhealthy student debt burdens, not to mention added risk to patient care with so many non-physicians referring to themselves as “doctor.” Secretary Linda McMahon and her team deserve kudos for taking an important step to end the inappropriately cozy relationships that have manipulated the accreditation system.