Institution Granted Fifth Extension of Accreditation Renewal
In a significant development for higher education, the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) has renewed the accreditation of a college, marking the institution's fifth renewal since 2001. This accreditation signifies that the college's online education programs meet established quality standards specifically for distance learning.
The accreditation process in U.S. higher education is a voluntary exercise in quality assurance and school improvement, which every college undertakes every five, seven, or ten years. Educational programs are evaluated by educators from other institutions to ensure faculty are appropriately qualified and course outcomes are rigorous and relevant.
DEAC, a private, non-profit organization, plays a key role in advancing quality throughout the higher education system. It is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Evaluators from DEAC visit the institution and interview staff, faculty, and students to gain an understanding of how classes are delivered and graded.
Accreditation by DEAC provides several key benefits. Firstly, it ensures quality assurance, verifying that the online program meets consistent standards for curriculum, faculty, student services, and outcomes tailored to distance education. Secondly, degrees and diplomas from DEAC-accredited programs are generally accepted by employers, other schools, and licensing bodies, helping graduates pursue further education or career advancement without credibility issues.
Thirdly, programs accredited by DEAC enable students to access federal financial aid and improve the chances of transfer credit acceptance. Fourthly, some DEAC-accredited schools are recognized by top global companies as providing education that prepares graduates with real-world skills, further validating program quality and return on investment.
Lastly, unlike regional or other national accreditors, DEAC specifically focuses on evaluating and accrediting distance education, making it a particularly relevant and authoritative marker for online programs. Thus, DEAC accreditation provides students and employers with confidence that the online education program is not only legitimate but also maintains high standards appropriate for remote or online learning modalities.
The college must provide evidence to an accrediting agency that it meets a detailed set of educational and business standards to gain or retain its accreditation. This renewal of accreditation is a testament to the college's commitment to quality and continuous improvement in online education.
Online design programs offered by this college, following their renewed accreditation, can be considered of established quality meeting the standards set within the realm of distance learning education. This accreditation also opens up opportunities for students to access general news and education-and-self-development resources online, as the college's digital offerings are recognized by employers, other schools, and licensing bodies.
