The Distance Education Accrediting Commission has the authority to establish and promulgate criteria for the evaluation and accreditation of distance education institutions. These criteria take the form of Accreditation Standards, Policies, and Procedures set forth in the DEAC Accreditation Handbook. The Commission uses these criteria as it evaluates institutions and makes accreditation decisions. The criteria are under a continual and systematic review. Changes are made as appropriate and as required.
Persons, institutions and organizations with an interest in the accreditation standards and policies are invited to comment on Proposed Accreditation Standards, Policies and Procedures and will be notified of the date for when any changes will be given final consideration by the Commission. Interested persons, institutions, and organizations will be given at least 30 days to file written comments with the Executive Director.
The Commission, after considering written comments, will conduct a further review of changes proposed to the Standards, Policies and Procedures. The Commission may adopt the changes to Accreditation Standards, Policies and Procedures as proposed, adopt with changes or modifications, defer action until further study and consideration is given, or discard the proposed changes altogether.
Documents out for Public Comment
The Commission is issuing a Call for Comments regarding Technical and Conforming Amendments to Part Two, Processes and Procedures, of the DEAC Accreditation Handbook. In line with Section XXIII, which outlines the process for Reviewing, Adopting, and Circulating Changes to the Accreditation Handbook, the Commission is proposing minor modifications and updates to ensure that Part Two is aligned with Part Three, the Accreditation Standards, effective January 1, 2025. We invite institutions, interested parties, and members of the public to review and provide feedback on the following proposals:
- Fall Accreditation Workshop Requirement (p. 13)
- Submission Timelines (pp. 20-21)
- Substantive Change Submission Procedures (pp. 54-62)
- Embedding General Education Into Core Curriculum (p. 72)
DEAC is accepting comments through December 16, 2024.
Please review proposed changes linked here.
Revisions are marked with red underlined text or blue underlined text, while deletions are indicated by strikethrough formatting.
Please use the comment submission form to provide feedback for DEAC’s consideration linked here.
