Q: What is Distance Education?

Ans: Distance Learning is an instructional delivery system which connects learners with educational resources. It provides educational access to learners not enrolled in educational institutions and can augment the learning opportunities of current students. The implementation of Distance Learning is a process which uses available resources and will evolve to incorporate emerging technologies.

Within rapid technological changes, the American education system is challenged with providing increased educational opportunities without increased budgets. Many educational institutions are answering this challenge by developing distance education programs. At its most basic level, distance education takes place when a teacher and student(s) are separated by physical distance, and technology (i.e., voice, video, data, and print), is used to bridge the instructional gap. These types of programs can provide adults with a second chance at a college education, reach those disadvantaged by limited time, distance or physical disability, and update the knowledge base of workers at their places of employment.

Historically, most distance education courses were vocational in nature, but today courses are offered for academic, professional, and vocational purposes for students of all ages. There are numerous specialized programs, such as those for blind persons and for parents of children with hearing impairments.

In the year 2000, over one thousand degree and certificate programs from nearly nine hundred accredited institutions were offered by distance learning, in North America. New courses and programs are continually being developed, and selected universities are offering their courses and degree programs solely through distance methods.

Q: WHAT DOES ACCREDITATION MEAN?

Ans: Accreditation is a process through which a university maintains and improves its standards and practices. Basically, accreditation is a process that gives public recognition to institutions that meet certain standards. It is a promise that an institution will provide the quality of education it claims to offer.
The purpose of accreditation is:

•To ensure quality education programs through the use of standards and rigorous evaluation criteria;

•To stimulate institutions toward higher levels of quality and efficiency;

•To provide a system for public trust and accountability.

Q: IS IT REALLY NECESSARY TO BE ACCREDITED?

Ans:
• Accreditation provides an opportunity to improve the educational quality of your institution. It is a process through which educational institutions voluntarily participate in a recognition program that is administered according to standards established by agencies composed of educational experts. If an institution meets the standards set down by the Association, it is acknowledged with accreditation status.

• Accreditation is purely voluntary. The applicant institution voluntarily elects to apply for accreditation and it voluntarily agrees to comply with all standards and policies of the Commission.

• Accreditation is a non-governmental peer review process in which the integrity and good faith of an institution and its officers are essential.

• The burden of proof in demonstrating compliance with standards rests with the institution, not with the Accrediting Commission. The institution must prove to the Accrediting Commission that it meets or exceeds the standards.

• The Accrediting Commission considers information about an applicant institution from any source in reaching its conclusion.

• Accreditation is by its nature a formal, but nonetheless, collegial process. It works best when there is a common agreement that the chief purpose for seeking accreditation is the identification of soundness, honesty and quality in the practice of distance education.

Q: HOW ARE INSTITUTIONS GRANTED WITH AN ACCREDITATION?

Ans: To gain accreditation, an institution first will conduct an internal survey to measure its criteria against the standards set by HAAOS. The association then holds an evaluation process and either grants or denies accreditation or pre-accreditation status.

If awarded fully accredited status, the Council will periodically re-evaluate the institution. The length of the initial accreditation ranges from 18 months to several years.

Q: ARE THESE COLLEGES RECOMMENDED BY THE COUNCIL?

Ans: The selection of a college is an individual decision, based on each student's needs, interests and goals. There are so many institutions that are offering degrees in various fields that match the student's interest and abilities but all of them are not accredited. So with the help of HAAOS you can identify the qualified institutes among the many that are available online.

Q: IS THERE ANY RECORD OF INSTITUTES WHICH HAVE BEEN ACCREDITED OR WILL BE ACCREDITED BY HAAOS?

Ans: There are nearly 12 institutions who have been accredited by HAAOS. If you need to verify an institute's accreditation you may 'Click Here' and find out if the school is really accredited.