Quick Facts About DETC

Name: Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) & DETC Accrediting Commission

Address: 1601 18th Street, NW, Suite 2, Washington, DC 20009 (202-234-5100; fax 202-332-1386)

Founded: 1926 as the National Home Study Council (name changed to DETC in 1994) Accrediting Commission founded in 1955

Scope & Mission:

The DETC Accrediting Commission’s scope is the accreditation of institutions offering programs primarily by the distance education method up through the first professional degree level. Its mission is to promote, by means of standard-setting, evaluation, and consultation processes, the development and maintenance of high educational and ethical standards for education and training programs delivered through distance learning. The DETC Accrediting Commission identifies and accredits distance education and training institutions that have attained and maintained the standards deemed necessary to operate at a minimum level of quality.

Recognitions:

U.S. Secretary of Education: First Recognized: 1959 Last Reviewed: 2006 Next Review: 2011

Present Scope of Recognition:
“The accreditation of postsecondary institutions in the United States that offer degree programs primarily by the distance education method Up to and including the professional doctoral degree, and are specifically certified by the agency as accredited for Title IV purposes; and the accreditation of postsecondary institutions in the United States not participating in Title IV that offer programs primarily by the distance education method up through the professional doctoral degrees.”

Council for Higher Education Accreditation:

First Recognized: 1997 (charter member) Last Reviewed: 2001 Next Review: 2011

Present Scope of Recognition:
The accreditation of higher learning institutions that offer programs of study that are delivered primarily by distance (51 percent or more) and award credentials through the master’s and first professional degrees. The Distance Education and Training Council Accrediting Commission will not accept applications from institutions that award a degree beyond the master’s level, e.g., a doctor’s degree, including academic doctorates (e.g., Ph.D) or doctorates in professional fields (e.g., Ed.D).

*Please Note: The Commission's scope may differ from U.S. Secretary of Education's and CHEA's.

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