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RAPAPORT... The Diamond Council of America (DCA) was re-accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), maintaining the status continually since 1984. Terry W. Chandler, DCA's president, explained that reviews of DETC’s national accreditation occur every five years.
“Since our last review, we’ve created a new membership category, added courses to our curriculum, and moved to online delivery. We did much of this despite the epic economic downturn and have now returned to robust growth as well,” Chandler said. DETC's executive director, Leah K. Matthews, wrote, “Accreditation is a reliable indicator of the value and quality of distance education that an institution offers. In receiving renewal of accreditation, DCA has demonstrated its commitment to educational standards and ethical business practices that assure quality, accountability, and improvement in higher education.” The review process requires schools to submit a detailed self-evaluation report, have their courses evaluated by outside subject specialists and undergo on-site inspection by a team that includes experts in education and business. To earn accreditation, the school must prove that it fully complies with exacting standards in many areas, including institutional mission, goals and objectives; curriculum design, development and delivery; educational support services; student achievement and satisfaction; qualifications of management, administrators and faculty; ethical advertising and promotion; financial responsibility and self improvement. One reviewer wrote, “DCA has done a great job putting together a course with measurable and realistic objectives that incorporate on the job training and professionalism as part of the curriculum.” And the examining committee chair’s report stated, “Course completion rates, positive assessments by corporate members and students provide evidence the institution is delivering on its stated learning outcomes and benefits.” Chandler added, “This DETC approval represents another milestone for the Diamond Council, its members and students. It has underscored what we’ve accomplished so far, and given us added confidence in our plans for the future.”
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