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.

Media & Updates

News

Save the Date!

Registration for DEAC’s Annual Conference, April 6-8, 2025 is coming soon.
News

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

The DEAC hosted its Fall Workshop from October 20-22, 2024 in Portland, Oregon, welcoming a record number of attendees who gathered to delve into the revised standards scheduled to take effect on January 1. This year’s workshop was designed to facilitate in-depth understanding and robust discussions, highlighting the importance of these changes for DEAC’s community of accredited institutions and those seeking accreditation.

The event featured an inspiring keynote address by Dr. Tina King that set the tone for the conference, motivating participants with fresh perspectives on the importance and relevance of accreditation. Additionally, attendees benefited from a comprehensive update on regulatory activities at the U.S. Department of Education, offering valuable insights into the current landscape and how it impacts the distance education sector.

Throughout the workshop, participants engaged with expert speakers and panelists, facilitating conversations that enriched the overall experience. The collaborative atmosphere encouraged networking and the exchange of ideas, making it a truly memorable event for all involved.

To further support the ongoing discussions that took place, we have provided links below to the PowerPoint presentations that guided these sessions at the Fall Workshop. Thank you to all who participated and contributed to the success of this workshop!

Presentations given at the 2024 Fall Workshop are 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).