Explores the standards and accreditation processes that ensure the quality and integrity of distance education programs.
Quality Assurance: The systematic evaluation of educational programs to ensure that they meet or exceed certain standards and criteria for effectiveness, efficiency, and boundary conditions.
Accreditation: The process by which an educational institution is formally recognized as meeting the standards and criteria set forth by a professional or accrediting organization.
Quality Control: The process of monitoring, evaluating, and adjusting instructional programs to ensure that standards and objectives are being met in compliance with accrediting agency requirements.
Distance Education: Non-traditional forms of learning that are facilitated primarily via electronic or online communication technologies such as the internet, satellite television, or video-conferencing.
Learning Objectives: Specific goals or outcomes that are expected to be achieved by students at the completion of an instructional program.
Evaluation: A systematic, ongoing process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to assess the effectiveness of educational programs, curriculum, and instruction.
Program Design and Development: The systematic process of planning, developing, and implementing instructional programs that meet quality standards and accreditation requirements.
Standards: Guidelines or criteria established by accrediting organizations or professional associations to ensure that educational programs meet a certain level of quality and effectiveness.
Curriculum Design and Development: The process of designing courses, lessons and learning activities that are aligned with accreditation requirements and address the needs of learners.
Faculty Development: The provision of training and ongoing support to faculty and instructors to ensure that they are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to deliver high-quality and accredited education.
Accrediting Commission for Schools (ACS WASC): This is an accreditation agency that provides accreditation to all kinds of schools, including distance education institutions.
Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET): This agency provides accreditation to institutions that offer continuing education and training courses, including distance education institutions.
Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS): This agency provides accreditation to independent colleges and schools, including distance education institutions.
Commission on Accreditation for Corrections (CAC): This agency provides accreditation to institutions that offer correctional education and training programs, including distance education institutions.
Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC): This is the main accrediting agency for distance education institutions in the United States.
Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA): This is a membership organization that provides recognition to accrediting agencies that meet certain standards.
National Distance Learning Accreditation Council (NDLAC): This is a private third-party organization that provides accreditation to distance education institutions.
North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI): This agency provides accreditation to all kinds of schools, including distance education institutions.
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI): This agency provides accreditation to schools in the southern United States, including distance education institutions.
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC): This agency provides accreditation to schools in the western United States, including distance education institutions.