Accreditation, Licensure and Affiliations
Accreditation and Licensure
The Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) in Washington, D.C. nationally accredits Grantham University as a college degree-granting institution. This means that all programs of instruction offered by the University have been examined by independent objective subject matter experts and have been found to meet or exceed the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council's published academic and ethical standards. These standards require the University's courses and programs to be equal to or better than a comparable course or degree program offered by a residential college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
The DETC Accrediting Commission is one of twenty higher education accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and has accredited Grantham University since 1961.
The DETC was founded in 1926 and is a non-profit educational association that promotes sound education and good business practices in the field of distance education. The Accrediting Commission of DETC was founded in 1955. The DETC Accrediting Commission is presently listed (and has been since l959) by the U.S. Department of Education as a "nationally recognized accrediting agency." Like the regional accrediting agencies, DETC's Accrediting Commission is reviewed periodically by the U.S. Department of Education to make certain that it meets the criteria for federal recognition as published in Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
DETC's Accrediting Commission is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CHEA is a non-governmental agency that reviews and recognizes accrediting agencies that accredit degree-granting institutions.
Grantham University is licensed as an institution of higher education by the State of Louisiana Board of Regents. Grantham University is also certified to operate as an institution of higher learning by the Missouri Department of Higher Education.
The Importance of Accreditation
Accreditation is a process that gives public recognition to an institution that meets established standards. According to the DETC, accreditation is "a process where by an accrediting body grants public recognition to an institution as having met certain standards." As such, accreditation assures you, the student, that the institution operates on a sound financial basis, has an approved program of study, qualified instructors, adequate facilities and equipment, and approved recruitment and admissions policies.
Affiliations
Grantham University is an institutional member of the American Council on Education (ACE). ACE is the nation's umbrella higher education association. Institutional membership is limited to nationally or regionally accredited colleges or universities.
Grantham University is a member of the United States Distance Learning Association. USDLA, a nonprofit organization, was formed in 1987 to promote the development and application of distance learning for education and training.
Postsecondary Educational Institutions and Programs Accredited by Accrediting Agencies and State Approval Agencies Recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
Because of its efforts to serve the educational needs of service members and their family members, Grantham University has been designated a Servicemembers Opportunity Consortium college. As a member of the SOC Consortium, Grantham University has committed itself to fully support and comply with SOC Principles and Criteria. Through this commitment, Grantham University ensures that:
- Service members and their family members share in the postsecondary educational opportunities available to other citizens.
- Service members and their family members are provided with appropriately accredited educational programs, courses and services.
- Flexibility of programs and procedures particularly in admissions, counseling, credit transfer, course articulations, recognition of nontraditional learning experiences, scheduling, course format and residency requirements are provided to enhance access of service members and their family members to undergraduate education programs.
