This four-part series of brief communications provides an overview of quality assurance in higher education in the United States. First, the U.S. post-secondary education is introduced, its historical evolution, reporting structure, overseeing responsibilities, and financing mechanisms for both its public and private institutions. The admission process and the criteria used for accurate assessment of a student’s capabilities for best placement and to maximize chances of success are then discussed.  The communication then presents quality assurance in the U.S. system in which the primary focus of the federal government and its agencies is to ensure whether an institution or program is of sufficient quality to qualify for federal funds. Quality assurance itself relies on professional, non-governmental accrediting organizations specialized in various fields of higher education. Finally, the essential elements of the accreditation process, its methods of assessment, and implementation are presented.