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UNE gains US distance education accreditation

February 24, 2005

David Rich 001.jpgThe University of New England is one of only four Australian universities to be accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), a US organisation dedicated to identifying and accrediting quality distance education providers.
In order to achieve accreditation, UNE had to satisfy a number of tough requirements in a rigorous evaluation process that took almost a year. Expert assessors reviewed a wide range of UNE’s distance education course materials, surveyed existing distance education students, evaluated many aspects of UNE’s policies and procedures and inspected UNE’s operations in Armidale.
Professor David Rich, the University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning), said, ‘The accreditation underlines UNE’s status as a quality distance education provider. It will help us sell our distance education programs overseas, particularly in the United States, and provides our Australian students with the assurance that our programs meet exacting international standards’.

Accreditation means that many American students studying UNE distance units and courses will be able to claim financial assistance from the US government. Serving military personnel can now enrol in UNE courses at no cost to themselves. Several American states now accord UNE special status as an education provider.
Professor Robin Pollard, UNE’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (International and Entrepreneurial) said, ‘DETC accreditation is an important step in building international enrolments in our distance education programs. A marketing strategy is being developed to help us capitalise on this opportunity, and a range of other initiatives is in hand to further boost our competitiveness.’
More than two million US students are enrolled in 500 or so DETC-accredited courses, ranging from accounting to yacht design. The only other Australian universities to meet the stringent standards set by DETC are the University of Southern Queensland, Monash and Deakin. Indeed, Australia is one of just seven countries with DETC-accredited institutions.

Posted by Lydia Roberts at February 24, 2005 10:07 AM