What is Distance Education?
Distance education is a process of instruction and learning that occurs when a student and instructor are not in the same location. Distance education utilizes technologies such as the internet, telecommunications, audio conferencing, and other forms of media such as DVDs, and CD-ROMs to deliver instruction to students who are separated from the instructor and to support regular and substantive interaction between the students and the instructor, either synchronously or asynchronously.
Another form of education that occurs when the student and instructor are not in the same location is called correspondence education. This is when education is provided through one or more courses by an institution under which the institution provides instructional materials, by mail or electronic transmission, including examinations on the materials, to students who are separated from the instructor. Interaction between the instructor and the student is primarily initiated by the student. Correspondence courses are typically self-paced.
What is accreditation?
Accreditation is a private, voluntary, non-governmental peer-review process that reviews the educational quality of an institution or program. In Europe, accreditation is the primary means of assuring educational quality. Accreditation status confirms that an institution has voluntarily undergone a comprehensive self-study and peer examination that demonstrates the institution meets standards of accreditation. To receive accreditation, the institution must clearly demonstrate that it has established educational goals; offers formal, organized learning experiences and services that enable students to meet these stated goals; and that students and graduates have benefited from the learning experiences provided. Furthermore, accreditation assures that an institution operates on a sound financial basis, has approved programs of study, qualified instructors, adequate facilities and equipment, ethical recruitment and admission policies, engages in continual improvement through self-evaluation and planning, and promotes its programs truthfully.
What is membership?
Membership is a system of review which periodically evaluates the extent to which an institution achieves its own objectives and meets the specific standards. Evaluation addresses operational and curricular issues fundamental to the delivery of quality education and training, via the medium of online, distance or open learning.
What are accreditation standards?
Accreditation standards establish the educational quality and operational aspects that accreditors require. The ECICEL has accreditation standards and business practice standards it uses to evaluate institutions that are organized into twelve topics: institution mission goals and objectives; educational program objectives, curricula and materials; educational services; student support services; student achievement and satisfaction; qualifications of administration and faculty; admissions; advertisement and recruitment; financial responsibility; tuition policies; facilities and equipment; and research and self-improvement.
Why is accreditation important?
Accreditation provides students, prospective students, and the general public with information about the quality of an institution or program. It is important to make sure that the institution will provide you the education program and preparation for the career you are choosing. Accreditation provides this assurance and information about an institution. It is very important to know the accreditation status of the institution and whether an individual program requires a special accreditation status within a specific profession. It is important to remember that institutional accreditation does not mean that an individual program is accredited.
How can I make sure that the institution and program have the appropriate accreditation status?
To be certain that the institution you choose is accredited by a reliable accreditor, please contact us.
How can I make sure that the institution have the appropriate membership status?
To be certain that the institution you choose is accredited by a reliable accreditor, please contact us.
