If you are looking to pursue an online degree and the various accreditation agencies confuse you, then this article will surely help to clarify things for you.
What is DETC?
DETC is the acronym of Distance Education and Training Council. It is one of the oldest accreditation agencies, operating in the U.S. for the past 50 years.
This well renowned organization reviews and evaluates course structures, academic programs and quality of education of online colleges throughout the United States. With its experience and rigor to scrutinize the didactic standards of online colleges, it guarantees the students that their time and money will not get wasted in pursuing the degree program.
Furthermore, DETC is one of the few agencies that are recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and Council of Higher Education and Accreditation (CHEA). It is therefore an accreditation agency worth trusting.
Let us try to understand what DETC is all about.
Why Verify the Accreditation?
It is important for you to learn more about the academic rigor and the quality of education of the online college in which you wish to pursue a course for earning a degree. If you are unaware of its credentials, your diploma may not be of any value. However, if your online college is endorsed by an official accreditation agency, you do not need to be concerned.
What is USDE & CHEA?
In the United States, two non-profit councils are authorized to certify Accreditation Agencies.
These two are the USDE & CHEA.
- USDE – The United States Department of Education is governed by federal law and regulations.
- CHEA – The Council of Higher Education and Accreditation is a private process and is governed by policies adopted by a 17-member board of directors.
USDE and CHEA recognize accrediting organizations by reviewing the qualifications and activities of these organizations to determine quality standards. After meeting the standards the accrediting organization is officially acknowledged.
DETC is recognized by both USDE and CHEA as a National accrediting organization. For more information on the difference between national and regional accreditation, refer to National Accreditation and Regional Accreditation.
Academic Value of DECT
Recently, quite a few students have complained that they have found it difficult to transfer credit hours from a DETC accredited college to a regionally accredited one. Many of them have stated that the credits are not completely transferable. But they are mistaken. The transfer of credits depends upon the sole discretion of the receiving college and therefore does not reflect the academic standard of education of a DETC accredited college.
Furthermore, as per a recent survey conducted by the US Educational Department, more than 70% of students rate DETC accredited colleges as worth pursuing a program in. None of them have stated any difficulty in transferring their credits to a regionally accredited college.
DETC accreditation is well recognized across the U.S. Moreover, the faculties and course material at DETC accredited colleges are of similar quality as that of regionally accredited ones.
Is DETC Accreditation Credible?
There are quite a few myths about DETC accreditation and it is essential to assess the relevance of them.
Myth 1: DETC accreditation is not as exhaustive as regional accreditation agencies.
This is a misconception. DETC has a specific, stringent and highly comprehensive procedure for evaluating and reviewing academic programs of distance education schools and colleges.
DETC leaves no stone unturned in understanding the relevance of the course material, method of online teaching and the student experience in distance education.
Myth 2: Credits from a DETC accredited school or college cannot be transferred to a regionally accredited school or college.
Although some students have faced trouble in transferring credits from a DETC accredited college to a regionally accredited one, this is a rare phenomenon, as explained above.
Myth 3: The teaching staff at DETC accredited online schools and colleges are inferior to that of regionally accredited ones.
This is incorrect. Many instructors teach at DETC accredited colleges as well as regionally accredited colleges.
Pros and Cons
Let us try going even further to understand the value of accreditation given by the Distance Education and Training Council. Perhaps, this way, you will be able to make a prudent decision.
Advantages:
- DETC is recognized by both USDE and CHEA.
- DETC accreditation agency is treated with high regard.
- As it is nationally accredited, an online degree from DETC is accepted by most, if not all, of the nationally accredited educational institutions. This is because the processes of DETC for reviewing academic programs are quite stringent.
Concerns:
- If you are planning to pursue higher education or to get transferred to another college, you should prepare for all possibilities. Study all the options and make a careful decision.
- There are cases that regionally accredited educational institutions (i.e. traditional campus academic schools, colleges and universities) do not accept credit hours, or the entire degree, earned from a DETC accredited online school.
- The acceptance of credits from a DETC college is solely dependent on the receiving academic institution. Some of the regionally accredited schools don’t accept DETC school credit hours. In such a case, credits from a DETC accredited college or school cannot be transferred to a regionally accredited college or a graduate school (i.e. university).
In Conclusion – Plan your steps wisely
Try to ascertain the transfer policies of the college that you wish to enroll in, and choose one that accepts the credits from a DETC accredited college.
Ideally, you should call up the academic offices of colleges and inquire about their willingness to accept credits or transfer credits from a DETC accredited college. If they do not, then you need to find a college that does.
Refer to CHEA, Higher Education Transfer Alliance Database and check the schools and colleges that are registered there.
Further Reading – College Accreditation