According to a 1981 survey, advertising practitioners place more importance on the accreditation of college advertising programs when it comes to evaluating a graduate of such a program than do the educators who must earn the accreditation. Only directors of advertising education programs in the communication-journalism area that are currently accredited match the opinion of the practitioners on the importance of accreditation. Educators, however, have a much higher opinion of the preparation of their students than do practitioners. On the average, educators rated graduates of bachelor programs above the median in terms of preparation for both creative and management entry-level positions. Practitioners, on the other hand, rated students below the median on preparation for both areas of advertising work. To make accreditation meaningful, it is likely that advertising educators must come to a greater sense of agreement on accreditation standards, and practitioners, through their organizations, must help in the effort. (Author/HOD)