Accreditation by IADL


The International Association for Distance Learning identifies and accredits education and training institutions that have attained and maintained the standards deemed necessary to operate at a basic level of quality. Accredited institutions are able to establish standards and improve performance.

Applicants for accredited status must satisfy IADL assessors, officers and regulatory staff that their organisation, products and services comply with the standards required by the Standards Committee.

IADL accreditation employs procedures similar to those of other acknowledged educational accrediting agencies.


Purpose of Accreditation:
Accreditation is intended to fulfill the following purposes:

a) Acknowledging excellence and quality in the provision of educational and training programs, through the development of criteria and guidelines for effective program delivery, instructional methodologies and course administration

b) Encouraging institutional improvement of pedagogical endeavours through continuous self-study and evaluation.

c) Assurance to students, employers, educators, governmental officials and the public that an accredited institution has clearly defined objectives and is accomplishing them substantially.

d) Counselling and assistance to established and developing institutions.

The IADL accreditation service for distance, open, and online course-providers will:-   

a) Establish and disseminate evaluation criteria for the accreditation of organizations offering education and training.

b) Receive applications from institutions aspiring for accreditation.

c) Assign experienced evaluators for a thorough inspection of applicants.

d) Re-evaluate the accredited organizations' programmes, changing policies, and courses of study at reasonable intervals.

e) Critically review all the pertinent material provided by the applicant and accredit or withhold accreditation if the applicant fails to fulfil established criteria. 

Benefits for an accredited course-provider:

An accredited organization receives the following benefits:

a) An external source of stimulation to improve its services, programmes, and staff through periodic self-studies and evaluations by an outside agency.

b) Provides confidence to students, employers, educators, governmental officials and the public in the educational program, policies and procedures of the accredited institution.

c) Assures that the organization is meeting minimal standards of quality control by adhering to established criteria, policies and standards mandated by the IADL.

d) Expedites the acceptance of advertising by newspapers, magazines, radio; stations, and other advertising media.

e)  Allows an accredited organisation or institution to acknowledge its accredited status in its prospectus, on its website and on other publicity or promotional material. It may use the statement "Accredited by the International Association for Distance Learning". 
Accredited organisations are entitled to display the IADL Logo



on their website and on promotional literature or teaching materials, and will receive a certificate of accreditation for the duration of their accredited status.

f) Brings the accredited institution recognition when governments, states and local agencies, under their legislation and regulations, refer students and clients to accredited programmes and course providers.


The initial evaluation and appraisal procedures may be abridged or waived completely if the applicant is licenced by virtue of central, regional or local government authority, or has undergone a formal accreditation process and obtained accredited status from a body duly recognised by the IADL for that purpose. 

Any part or parts of the accreditation process may be varied at the absolute discretion of the IADL, without formal notice.