Accreditation

The increase in distance education programs and institutions, and questions about extending financial aid to them, has given rise to questions of whether accreditation is an adequate means to ensure the quality and integrity of this new medium of delivery. This entry offers a frame for understanding and responding to the emerging forces of change in distance education and accreditation. The history and multiple forms of accreditation will be briefly described. The unfolding policy issues in the federal arena and the different approaches used by the regional accrediting commissions to review and accredit distance education will be discussed along with special issues facing the accreditation of distance education and how accreditation has responded.