Given the rise in online universities, and considering the value employers and other educational institutions place on accreditation, is University of the People a properly accredited institution, and if so, by which accrediting body, and is that accreditation considered reputable within the academic community and recognized by employers internationally? Furthermore, does this accreditation apply to all of its degree programs or only select ones?

Answer

Yes, University of the People is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). The DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency.

Accreditation is a process of external quality review used by higher education institutions to scrutinize colleges, universities, and educational programs for quality assurance and improvement. It signifies that an institution meets established standards of educational quality.

Specifically, University of the People’s accreditation by DEAC means the institution has demonstrated it meets standards related to:

• Mission and Objectives: The institution has clearly defined and appropriate educational objectives.
• Institutional Resources: The institution has sufficient resources (faculty, staff, financial resources, technology, learning resources) to support its educational programs.
• Student Services: The institution provides adequate student support services such as admissions, academic advising, financial aid, and career services.
• Curriculum and Instruction: The curriculum is well-designed, reflects current knowledge in the field, and is delivered effectively through appropriate teaching methods.
• Student Learning Outcomes: The institution measures and evaluates student learning outcomes and uses the results to improve its educational programs.
• Assessment and Continuous Improvement: The institution has processes in place for assessing its overall effectiveness and making continuous improvements.

DEAC accreditation is a nationally recognized accreditation.

Because University of the People is accredited by a US Department of Education recognized accreditor:

• Transferability of Credits: Credits earned at University of the People may be transferable to other institutions, although the acceptance of transfer credits always depends on the receiving institution’s policies.
• Eligibility for Financial Aid: Accreditation is often a requirement for students to be eligible for federal financial aid programs, although University of the People itself does not participate in U.S. federal student aid programs.
• Employer Recognition: Employers often prefer to hire graduates from accredited institutions.
• Further Education: Graduation from an accredited institution is frequently a prerequisite for admission to graduate programs at other universities.

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