DETC Announces Change of Name to Distance Education Accrediting Commission

The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) announced today that it has changed its name to Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) to reflect its broader strategic initiatives for quality assurance in the field of distance education and its expertise in driving the innovations needed to shape the future of education.

The change of name communicates a clear and consistent message about DEAC’s primary function in accreditation and its value to a stakeholder base that includes institutions, students, employers, non- traditional education providers, regulators, and trendsetters in distance education. “Our focus,” said Mary Adams, Chair of the Board of Directors, “is to maintain high expectations in all aspects of distance education that support workforce preparation, professional advancement, and civic engagement.”

The change of name to DEAC comes amid intensifying scrutiny of the role of accreditation, but Adams believes the timing couldn’t be better. “Education quality for our students is everything,” she said. “DEAC is committed to assuring quality, improving access to distance education, embracing innovation, and enhancing opportunities for students to achieve their goals.”

DEAC’s Executive Director, Dr. Leah Matthews, views the change as ushering in a new era. “The DEAC exemplifies a new paradigm in which accrediting organizations are identified by their innovation and excellence rather than by geographic boundaries,” she said. “Our institutions provide unique and innovative education opportunities to an incredibly diverse population of students each year, from the secondary school level through professional doctoral degrees. This change is about embodying an accreditation status that supports our students’ goals, ambitions, and dreams for the future.”

ABOUT DEAC

The Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) is a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1926. DEAC proudly serves as the only recognized national accreditor exclusively dedicated to distance education quality. Nearly two million students annually study at its accredited institutions. Learn more about how DEAC is engaging in the future of distance education at www.deac.org.

Leah Matthews, Executive Director
(202) 234-5100
leah.matthews@deac.org

MEDIA CONTACT:
Robert Chalifoux, Director, Media and Events (202) 234-5100
rob.chalifoux@deac.org