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Welcome to DEAC

The Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1926 that operates as an institutional accreditor of distance education institutions. Accreditation by DEAC covers all distance education activities within an institution and it provides accreditation from the secondary school level through professional doctoral degree-granting institutions. DEAC’s geographic area of accreditation activities includes all states within the United States and international locations. Our website is designed to be a resource for all those interested in distance education accreditation: students, faculty, administrators and the public.

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DEAC Publishes Revised Standards

DEAC is pleased to announce that the revised Part Three, Standards of Accreditation, DEAC Accreditation Handbook, are now available for review ahead of January 1, 2025, when the standards go into effect.

Events

2024 Fall Workshop

Registration is now open for the DEAC Accreditation Workshop 2024, completely restructured to focus on the revised accreditation standards set to be officially announced on September 1, 2024 and effective on January 1, 2025. This year’s workshop features a streamlined, single-track program design, offering in-depth sessions led by some of DEAC’s most experienced institutional members.

Each session will provide a comprehensive exploration of the revised standards, including detailed discussions on Self-Evaluation Reports (SER) requirements, exhibits, compliance evidence, and much more. This workshop is a must-attend event for institutions preparing for accreditation visits in 2025, as well as for those looking to get a head start on developing compliance strategies for implementation of the revised standards.

Join us to ensure your institution is fully equipped to meet DEAC’s updated accreditation requirements!

The DEAC Fall Workshop will take place October 20-22, 2024 at The Nines in Portland, Oregon. Registration is now available!

AQC is an external review system carried out by a network of higher education curriculum experts. Although it is not accreditation, AQC engages a peer review process designed to provide meaningful, relevant feedback to distance education providers consistent with the principles of accreditation. The DEAC is committed to supporting innovations that continue to emerge and evolve in various online delivery systems by contributing its expertise and experience in evaluating online content that is presented for AQC review and by experimenting with ways to expand the availability of high quality online learning.

DEAC is pleased to work collaboratively with the Quality Assurance (QA) Commons. The QA Commons’ mission is to ensure all learners are prepared for the changing dynamics of the workforce and economy. It aspires to help all people realize upward mobility by developing a foundation of employability skills needed by all workers in all jobs. The employability focus of QA Commons addresses the proficiencies employers say are most needed, which candidates often lack, and are the hardest to find… “smart skills” characterized as Essential Employability Qualities (EEQs).