Most accreditors in the U.S. agree that the fundamental principles of quality they use to judge traditional education institutions apply to electronic distance education institutions as well.
For example, the integrity of an institution’s conduct in all its activities, honesty and accuracy, adequate financial resources to run programs and the like are applicable to both traditional and distance education institutions. But accreditors admit certain characteristics of distance education make it unique and present challenges for the institutions and accreditors alike.
One challenge is to develop methods for determining whether students and faculty are sufficiently computer literate to either instruct or successfully complete a Web delivered course.
How does the institution know, for example, if a student enrolling in an online degree program in business management is sufficiently familiar with the technology to access courses and to take exams? One could argue that the same question might be asked at a traditional higher education institution about the ability of a traditional student to understand how to use the on-campus library. It’s normally not an admissions requirement, but most students get the hang of it rapidly.
Other issues include student access to library resources and arrangements for students to complete curriculums that are dropped from electronic institutions. Many accreditation agencies require traditional universities and colleges to provide an independent study option or the option of completing the curriculum at another university. It would not be difficult for a cyberschool to do the same.
And what about institutional visits by accreditors? “How do you visit an individual computer?” the Southern Association’s Jack Allen once quipped. These are not insurmountable issues. The key is for distance learning institutions, be they in the public or the private sector, to be aware the requirements and provide for their fulfillment.
The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS) perhaps has the most experience dealing with the unique qualities of distance learning programs. Since the 1970s, it has accredited various forms of electronically delivered degree programs from universities including National Technological University, the University of Phoenix, The Union Institute and Capella University. And in 1999, the NCACS in a ground-breaking decision granted accreditation to totally online Jones International University.
Is an online school accredited? Find out how to check a school’s accreditation status.
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