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Accreditation and Affiliations

William Howard Taft University, as an educational division of The Taft University System, is in good standing as a fully authorized postsecondary institution by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE). Authorization continues in perpetuity based on the institution’s accredited status with the DEAC or other approved institutional accrediting agency. http://highered.colorado.gov/cche.html

Overview of Accreditation

The goal of accreditation is to ensure that education provided by institutions of higher education meets acceptable levels of quality. Accreditation in the United States involves non-governmental entities as well as governmental agencies. Accrediting agencies, which are private educational associations of regional or national scope, develop evaluation criteria and conduct peer evaluations to assess whether or not those criteria are met. Institutions and/or programs that request an agency’s evaluation and that meet an agency’s criteria are then “accredited” by that agency.

The United States has no federal Ministry of Education or other centralized authority exercising single national control over postsecondary educational institutions in this country. The states assume varying degrees of control over education, but, in general, institutions of higher education are permitted to operate with considerable independence and autonomy.

In order to insure a basic level of quality, the practice of accreditation arose in the United States as a means of conducting nongovernmental, peer evaluation of educational institutions and programs. Private educational associations of regional or national scope have adopted criteria reflecting the qualities of a sound educational program and have developed procedures for evaluating institutions or programs to determine whether or not they are operating at basic levels of quality

The U.S. Department of Education does not accredit educational institutions and/or programs. However, the Secretary of Education is required by law to publish a list of regional and national accrediting agencies that are recognized by the Secretary as reliable authorities concerning the quality of education or training offered by the institutions of higher education or higher education programs they accredit. This list can be found at: https://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/accreditation_pg6.html

A video from The Distance Education Accrediting Commission offers an overview of the benefits of distance education and the importance of accreditation:

Distance Education Accrediting Commission

William Howard Taft University, as an educational division of the Taft University System, is institutionally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) (Formerly the Distance Education and Training Council?DETC). On June 14, 2013 the Commission voted to extend its accreditation until June, 2018. This action was taken after consideration of an extensive self-study prepared by The Taft University System and the report of a site visitation team that included representatives of both regionally and nationally accredited schools. The five-year extension is the maximum permissible under DEAC standards.

The Distance Education Accrediting Commission (www.deac.org) is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1926 that operates as a national accreditor of distance education institutions. Accreditation by DEAC covers all distance education activities within an institution and it provides a single source of nationally recognized accreditation from the secondary school level through professional doctoral degree-granting institutions.

The nine-member Accrediting Commission of the DEAC was established in 1955. Shortly thereafter it gained the approval of the U.S. Department of Education as a “nationally recognized accrediting agency” under federal law. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

DEAC’s goal is to ensure a high standard of educational quality in the distance education institutions it accredits by requiring compliance with its published standards, policies and procedures and by fostering continual self- improvement. DEAC is dedicated to ensuring a quality education for the more than 2 million students who annually study at its 102 accredited institutions.

DEAC accreditation aims to instill public confidence in DEAC institutions’ missions, goals, performances, and resources through rigorous application and peer-developed accreditation standards.

With its 80-plus years of history and its highly refined and federally recognized accreditation program, DEAC offers distance learning institutions the most current, relevant and practical services for the 21st Century.

Distance Education Accrediting Commission
1101 17th Street, N.W., Suite 808
Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone: 202-234-5100

See Related Frequently Asked Questions on Accreditation.

    • Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
    William Howard Taft University is an institutional member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CHEA is a non-profit organization serving as the national advocate for voluntary accreditation and quality assurance to the U.S. Congress and U.S. Department of Education.

    CHEA has produced a document that outlines what acceditation is and the value of accreditation to students.

    American Council on Education (ACE)
    The Taft University System is an institutional member of the American Council on Education (ACE).
    Membership in the American Council on Education is open to accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities, and higher education associations located within the United States.

    ACE speaks as higher education’s voice in matters of public policy in Washington DC and throughout the nation.

    Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES)
    Taft University is a DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support) affiliated school. DANTES is a Department of Defense organization created to help service members pursue educational goals through non-traditional means during active military duty.

    Veterans Educational Assistance
    Taft University degree programs are eligible for VA assistance. Whether your intention is to translate your military training and experience into a civilian job, or explore an entirely new career path, William Howard Taft University offers a number of program options delivered in a way that allows you to advance your career goals. Veterans can discuss eligibility directly with a VA education representative, using a toll free number 888-442-4551. They will answer your questions and provide instructions on the application process.

    American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
    The Taft University System is an institutional member of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO). AACRAO is a non-profit, professional association of higher education administrators. Its goal is to foster the professional development of its individual members by providing guidelines and voluntary standards for best practices in records management, admissions, enrollment management, administrative information technology, and student services. Institutional membership is limited to nationally or regionally accredited colleges or universities.

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