DETC
DETC



Distance Education and Training Council

The Distance Education and Training Council has been the standard-setting agency for correspondence study and distance education institutions since it was established in 1926. Its purpose is "to foster and preserve high quality, educationally sound and widely accepted distance education and independent learning institutions."  Like ACICS it is also recognized by  both the US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). 

DETC accreditation is an institution-wide source of nationally recognized accreditation that covers all distance study courses offered by an institution. It is unique in American accreditation because it is one based upon a method of instruction rather than educational level or subject matter discipline. It covers all programs, courses and distance study endeavors of an institution, including degree, non-degree, vocational and a-vocational programs.

The DETC conducts a continuing professional development program for distance study educators. Seminars and conferences devoted to distance education are held each year and are open to any individual with an interest in distance education.

The Eligibility Requirements for DETC

Application for accreditation from the DETC Accrediting Commission may be made at any time by any private or non-private bona fide distance education institution with two consecutive years of sound and ethical operating experience.

The Accrediting Commission is aided in its decisions by the extensive work done before a Commission meeting. The process of accreditation begins when an institution submits an application to the Commission’s Washington, D.C. office. Here a determination is made of the institution’s eligibility on two points: (1) whether it has been in actual operation for a period of at least two consecutive years immediately prior to accreditation (the two year period begins with the date of the first enrollment); and, (2) whether the applicant is in fact a “bona fide distance education institution,” defined by the Accrediting Commission as an educational institution which:  

  • •          formally enrolls students and maintains student records;

  • •          retains a qualified faculty to service students;

  • •          transmits to students organized instructional materials;

  • •          provides continuous two-way communication on student work;

  • •          offers predominantly at a distance courses of instruction

  • •          properly licensed.

The Accrediting Commission accepts applications from institutions that offer high school, vocational, postsecondary, and academic degree programs up to the professional doctorate degree level.

The Accreditation Process for DETC

Usually follows the following sequence:

  • Obtain the DETC Accreditation Handbook

  • Review Application

  • Enroll and Complete Course: A key person must enroll in and complete the DETC Course on Preparing for Accreditation to qualify as a Compliance Officer

  • Begin Writing the SER:

  • Submit Application and Other Required Information

  • DETC posts names of applicants for accreditation on its web site and publications:

  • Undergo Readiness Assessment (Initial Applicants Only)

  • Submit Course Materials, DETC Schedules On-Site Visit and Surveys Students

  • Institution submits courses materials for review:

  • Date of Visit is Set:

  • Students Surveyed:

  • Submit SER, Receive Subject Specialist Reports, and Respond to Comments

  • Institution Submits SER: The Compliance Officer completes and submits the institution’s

  • SER. This should be done at least 10 weeks before the on-site visit.

  • Examining Committee is Selected:

  • State Observers are Invited:

  • DETC Sends Subject Specialist Reports and Student Surveys to the Institution:

  • Examiners Receive and Review SER, Subject Specialist Reports and Student Surveys:

  • Complaint Summary is Prepared:

  • Institution Undergoes On-SiteVisit and Examiners Write Reports

  • Institution undergoes the on-site visit:

  • Evaluators test and verify information in the SER:

  • Evaluators write reports and send them to the Chair:

  • Observer’s and CEO’s comments are solicited.

  • Commission surveys on-site evaluators:.

  • Chair Writes & Submits Report and Institution Responds

  • Chair writes report and sends it to DETC

  • DETC sends the Chair’s Report to the institution for comment:

  • Institution responds to Chair’s report:

  • Commission Reviews, Takes Action and Announces Decision

  • Commission reviews surveys, Chair’s report and the institution’s response to the Chair’s report: makes its decision and informs institution:

I provide a comprehensive and flexible array of fully customizable services to support your school throughout the accreditation process from basic education on the standards to oversight and management of the preparation process. By suggesting strategies to improve compliance, preparing for accreditation, quality management and improvement and providing the expertise you need to make quality happen. Please call me at 818-666-1333 or contact me and we can discuss getting your school accredited.

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DETC
DETC
 DETC