Accreditation means that the institute offering the degree program meets the standards of education set by a recognized educational body. Accredited online programs allow you to appear in certification exams. Upon completion of the degree, students can earn credentials such as registered/certified professional. However, non accredited degrees holders are not considered qualified enough to clear for the exam. Moreover, pay scales vary dramatically for accredited and non-accredited degree holders. Various online degrees offered to students are not accredited. Hence, before pursuing any online degree program make sure the program or the institute is accredited by a known credentialing body.