Resources
Welcome to IAO's Resources page. On this page you will find a wealth of information about the ever-changing world of online and distance education. There are resources for students, educational institutes and professional trade and vocational institutions. Please click on the appropriate links to access these resources. We welcome your feedback, comments and suggestions.
FAQs for Educational Institutions
- What is distance and online learning?
Distance learning is a course or program completed remotely from the school or institution that offers the educational opportunity. In distance learning the instructor and the student are geographically remote from each other. Interaction can be via surface mail, videotape, interactive TV, radio, satellite, message boards, chat rooms, and desktop computer conferencing.
- What is accreditation?
Accreditation is a type of quality assurance process under which an accrediting agency scrutinizes educational institutions’ services and quality according to their rules and standards. Educational institutes that comply with the standards set by the accreditation agencies receive accreditation status.
- Why is accreditation important for colleges and universities?
Accreditation is a statement of the standard and quality of education of a school or university. It is an assurance that the education institutes are engaged in constant review and improvement of the quality of their education. Employers, professional associations, and other educational institutions require and prefer accredited degree holder candidates so students choose to pursue their education at accredited institutions.
- What is IAO's role in the accreditation process?
IAO is an international accreditation body that grants accreditation to online colleges and universities. It follows a stringent process for granting accreditation to educational institutes. There are numerous benefits that educational institutes enjoy being associated with IAO. One of the benefits is profound creditability. Institutes that are granted accreditation by IAO enjoy unmatched respect and credibility. IAO is a prominent and prestigious accreditation body and associating with IAO only adds value to the educational institute. Moreover, to improve the standards and practices, IAO Candidacy Committee periodically sends its publications, recommendations and suggestions to the educational institutes. The main purpose of these publications and recommendations is to keep the institutes updated on the latest developments pertaining to the accreditation standards around the world. It helps the member institutes to maintain and enhance their educational practices and standards.
- How does an educational institution benefit from IAO membership?
Below are some more advantages that an IAO member enjoys:
- Accreditation builds confidence:
IAO accredited educational institutes have a very profound status. Their programs, policies and procedures are considered authentic everywhere. A position that is only enjoyed by the educational institutes that are credited by bona fide accreditation agencies. Accreditation, thus, imparts educational institutes with confidence that their degrees will be accepted everywhere.
- Accreditation provokes self-improvement:
Accreditation acts as the most significant motivational factor for the education institutes to improve themselves. IAO urges educational institutes to incessantly review and improve quality of their services, program and policies. According to the agreement, educational institutes are bound to evaluate their performance and services periodically as to make the self-improvement process quick and substantial.
- Accreditation promotes high standard education:
When an educational institute seeks for accreditation from IAO it pledges adherence to the criteria, policies, and standards designed by the accreditation agency to bolster high standard of education. An accredited educational institute is thus committed to assure high standard and provide quality education to the students enrolled with them.
- Accreditation permits institutions to become members:
After accreditation, educational institutions get listed in the IAO Directory of Accredited Institutions which is accessed by both businesses and educational institutes.
- Accreditation allows the use of IAO seal:
IAO accredited educational institutions are allowed to make the promotional use of the IAO seal. Moreover, IAO accredited institutions, in case of need, are allowed to give reference of IAO.
- Accreditation increases student's credit acceptance:
Degrees given by IAO accredited education institutes are accepted in almost all universities. There might be some institutes where academic credits and degrees might not be accepted. However, chances for such situation are very narrow.
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