The President of our institution has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the DEAC.
The Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) is a private, non-profit organization that accredits institutions primarily offering distance education. Established in 1926, DEAC has been at the forefront of ensuring quality in online education for nearly a century.
Our institution, which offers professional design courses, has been accredited by DEAC since 2001. This accreditation has been renewed three times since its initial approval, showcasing our commitment to the quality of online education.
Benefits for Students
DEAC accreditation guarantees that our institution meets established quality standards for distance education. This means students can trust that their education is rigorous and valuable, leading to recognized diplomas or credits that can be transferred to other accredited institutions or used for career advancement. Employers and military branches often prefer or require diplomas from accredited schools, enhancing job prospects and eligibility for military enlistment.
Benefits for Faculty and Staff
Accreditation requires that faculty possess appropriate credentials and expertise, promoting a higher standard of teaching quality. It also fosters ongoing professional development and engagement in continuous improvement efforts, supported by accreditation-mandated regular evaluation and stakeholder feedback processes. This environment encourages educators and staff to maintain up-to-date skills and adhere to ethical and professional standards.
Institutional Implications
Achieving DEAC accreditation involves undergoing periodic comprehensive reviews and data-driven assessments that ensure the institution maintains and improves its educational quality. This leads to enhanced institutional reputation and credibility, promoting trust among prospective students, employers, and partner institutions. Additionally, accreditation distinguishes schools by verifying their ethical practices, student support services, and adherence to recognized academic standards, which collectively contribute to overall institutional excellence.
In summary, DEAC accreditation provides a quality assurance "stamp of approval" that benefits students through recognized credentials and smoother credit transfers; benefits faculty and staff through professional standards and development; and benefits the institution by fostering continuous improvement and external validation of its distance education programs.
Our institution's accreditation by DEAC also aligns with our long-standing tradition of being involved in DEAC. The appointment of Mr. Drummond to a voluntary DEAC Board role continues his long track record of service and leadership in accreditation. Mr. Drummond has served on the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools since 2007, where he was Commission Chair from 2013 to 2015 and served on the MSA Board of Trustees.
DEAC's work provides a means for schools to adapt to new educational standards and trends. Online institutions in the United States have pioneered new ways of delivering a rigorous education in a flexible and affordable online platform. DEAC is focused on ensuring quality in online education, working with Federal and State agencies to provide consumer protection and a process for schools to evolve and improve over time.
DEAC is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, ensuring our institution's accreditation is nationally and internationally recognized. At each renewal, our institution has passed the evaluation and met the increasing standards set by DEAC.
References:
[1] Distance Education Accrediting Commission. (n.d.). About DEAC. Retrieved from https://deac.org/about-deac/
[2] Distance Education Accrediting Commission. (n.d.). Accreditation Criteria. Retrieved from https://deac.org/accreditation/accreditation-criteria/
[3] Distance Education Accrediting Commission. (n.d.). Benefits of Accreditation. Retrieved from https://deac.org/benefits-of-accreditation/
Our institution's DEAC accreditation acknowledges our commitment to rigorous and valuable online learning, ensuring students receive diplomas or credits recognized by other accredited institutions and employers. This accreditation also encourages faculty professional development and ongoing improvement, fostering a higher standard of teaching quality and ethical practices.
As a result of DEAC accreditation, our institution benefits from enhanced reputation, credibility, and external validation, which collectively contribute to institutional excellence. Furthermore, DEAC's focus on quality in online education and collaboration with Federal and State agencies provides a means for schools to adapt to changing educational standards and trends.
