Celebrating its 125th Anniversary, Blackstone Career Institute (BCI), one of the nation’s first distance education schools, has been reaccredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) for the maximum five year renewal period. An international career training school, Blackstone was granted initial accreditation in 2005, and after a rigorous review process, the DEAC voted to renew that accreditation at its January 30th meeting.
The nation’s premiere accrediting association for distance learning institutions, the DEAC Accrediting Commission has been listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency since 1959. The DEAC Accrediting Commission is also a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
DEAC accreditation enables Blackstone students to qualify for veterans, GI and other military educational reimbursement programs, as well as employer-sponsored education financial aid. The DEAC review process includes submission of an in-depth self-evaluation report; review of all courses by subject matter experts; surveys of students and graduates; and an on-site inspection.
“Receiving our five-year accreditation renewal from the DEAC is an especially gratifying achievement in 2015 because it confirms our successful evolution into the new digital age of distance education. We have adapted while maintaining high educational and business standards,” said Kevin McCloskey, President of Blackstone Career Institute. “I congratulate our staff, who worked diligently to earn this prestigious achievement, conducting an extensive review of our policies and procedures and presenting this information to the Accrediting Commission for analysis.”
“Accreditation by DEAC is a reliable indicator of the value and quality of distance education that an institution offers” said Dr. Leah Matthews, Executive Director of DEAC, “In receiving renewal of accreditation, BCI has demonstrated its commitment to serving students through educational standards and ethical business practices that assure quality, accountability, and improvement in higher education.”
Accreditation is the nation’s principal means for students to be able to identify reliable and reputable educational institutions. Accreditation is a badge of quality, and it assists institutions in attaining excellence by using a set of standards developed by peers. Accredited status means that an educational institution lives up to its promises to students and the public.
About Blackstone
Established in 1890, Blackstone is a pioneer in the distance education field, offering diploma programs in the paralegal, allied health, and a variety of other career fields. The school serves working professionals, homemakers, military family members, veterans and others who choose to pursue career education from a distance in all 50 states and several countries throughout the world. Blackstone is privately licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools, in addition to its national accreditation from DEAC. Unlike traditional career school students, Blackstone students can complete their studies entirely online, working at home, in the office, at a library or wherever an Internet connection can be found.
About the DEAC
Founded in 1926 and located in Washington, D.C., the Distance Education Accrediting Commission is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and is a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Incorporated into the DEAC’s accrediting process is the concept that educational programs delivered at a distance should be comparable (in curriculum and outcomes) to those offered by accredited traditional institutions of higher education. DEAC accredited institutions and their programs are evaluated on this basis within its published educational and ethical business standards. To learn more about the DEAC, visit www.DEAC.org.