What does DEAC stand for? It stands for the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, a private, nonprofit group that reviews and accredits schools that teach mainly through distance education, such as online and correspondence programs. When a school says it is "DEAC accredited," it means this commission has checked the school against its standards and approved it.
DEAC is recognized by the US Department of Education as a reliable accreditor, which matters for things like federal student aid. It is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, a national group that reviews accreditors. Its member schools range from high school diploma programs to colleges that award doctoral degrees.
Quick facts
Stands for
Distance Education Accrediting CommissionType
AcronymHow to say it
Often "deek"; some say D E A CWhat it does
Accredits schools that teach mostly at a distanceStarted
1926, as the National Home Study CouncilRecognized by
US Department of Education; CHEANot to be confused with
DECA, a student business club
What does DEAC stand for, word by word?
| Letter | Word | Why it is in the name |
|---|---|---|
| D | Distance | Its schools teach students who are not in a classroom |
| E | Education | It works in schooling, from high school to doctoral level |
| A | Accrediting | It reviews schools and grants or denies accreditation |
| C | Commission | A board of reviewers and members makes the decisions |
The group dates back to 1926, when it was founded as the National Home Study Council to set standards for mail-order correspondence schools. It later became the Distance Education and Training Council and then took its current name as online learning grew.
What accreditation means for a student
Accreditation is a form of quality review. An accreditor sends reviewers, reads the school's reports and checks things like:
- Whether courses teach what they promise.
- Whether faculty are qualified.
- Whether the school is financially stable and honest in its advertising.
- Whether students get support and can reach their teachers.
- Whether students actually finish and succeed.
Schools must be reviewed again on a set schedule to keep their status. Accreditation by a recognized group is one of the requirements a college must meet before its students can receive federal financial aid, the same aid you apply for with the FAFSA.
How DEAC fits among accreditors
People often sort accreditors into types. Groups that review whole colleges in a part of the country were long called regional accreditors. Groups that review a certain kind of school anywhere in the nation, such as career schools or distance schools, were called national accreditors. DEAC has usually been described as a national accreditor focused on distance learning. Federal rules now treat these groups more alike, but the older labels are still common.
On a school website: "We are accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)." This tells you an outside reviewer approved the school. It does not by itself tell you whether another college will accept your credits.
Transferring credits and checking a school
Each college decides for itself which credits it will accept. Some schools accept credits from any recognized accreditor, while others are more selective. If you plan to transfer or go on to graduate school, ask the next school before you enroll.
- Look the school up in the Department of Education's public database of accredited schools.
- Check that the accreditor itself is recognized, not a look-alike group with a similar name.
- Ask your target college or employer, in writing, if they accept the degree or credits.
DEAC vs DECA and other look-alikes
DEAC is easy to confuse with DECA, a student club for future business leaders, since they share the same four letters in a different order. Other school groups with similar letters include HOSA for future health workers. When you see DEAC on a college website, it is about accreditation, not a club. Browse more in the school acronyms hub.
Questions people ask
Is DEAC accreditation legitimate?
Yes. DEAC is recognized by the US Department of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Recognition means outside reviewers found its standards and process reliable.
Can I get financial aid at a DEAC accredited school?
Accreditation by a recognized group is one requirement for federal aid, but the school must also take part in the federal aid program. Ask the school's financial aid office whether it does.
Will other colleges accept credits from a DEAC school?
It depends on the college that receives them. Many do, some do not, so ask the next school before you enroll.
How do you pronounce DEAC?
Many people say it as one word, "deek." Saying the letters D E A C is also common and understood.
What did DEAC used to be called?
It began as the National Home Study Council and later became the Distance Education and Training Council before taking its current name.