DETC Re-Accredits BCI for Five More Years!
February 2010: Blackstone Career Institute (BCI), one of the nation’s first distance education schools, has been reaccredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) 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 DETC voted to renew that accreditation at its January 16 meeting.
The nation’s premiere accrediting association for distance learning institutions, the DETC Accrediting Commission has been listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency since 1959. The DETC Accrediting Commission is also a recognized member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
DETC accreditation enables Blackstone students to qualify for veterans, GI and other military educational reimbursement programs, as well as employer-sponsored education financial aid. The DETC 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 DETC is a gratifying achievement because it underscores our commitment to providing quality education by meeting both high educational and business standards,” said Kevin McCloskey, President of Blackstone Career Institute. “I am very proud of our staff, who worked hard to obtain this achievement, conducting an extensive review of our policies and procedures and presenting this information to the Accrediting Commission for analysis.”
Michael Lambert, Executive Director of the Accrediting Commission of the DETC, said, “This milestone achievement by Blackstone Career Institute signals that the school continues on its 120 year journey of the pursuit of excellence in career education. We salute BCI on this singular achievement and congratulate its staff for earning this prestigious award, which serves to identify the school as an outstanding provider of accredited distance learning.”
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 and allied health 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 the DETC. 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 DETC
Founded in 1926 and located in Washington, D.C., the Accrediting Commission of the Distance and Training Council 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 DETC’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. DETC accredited institutions and their programs are evaluated on this basis within its published educational and ethical business standards. To learn more about the DETC, visit www.detc.org.
