Webster
defines accreditation as "to certify as meeting certain
set standards." The PBOE confers their accreditation
upon institutions that satisfactorily meet or exceed the PBOE
criteria as stated in the Accreditation Criteria section.
Basically,
accreditation is a process that gives public recognition to
organizations that meet certain standards. It is promised
that an organization will provide the quality of education
it claims to offer. Accreditation assures the student that
the organization operates on a sound financial basis, has
an approved program of study, qualified instructors, adequate
facilities and equipment, approved recruitment and admission
policies, and advertises its courses truthfully, and administers
its guarantees and return policy fairly.
Distance
study accreditation is an institution-wide source of internationally
recognized accreditation that covers all holistic distance
study courses offered by an institution. It is unique in American
accreditation because it is one based upon a method of instruction
rather than educational level or subject matter discipline.
It covers all programs, courses and distance study endeavors
of an organization, including certification training and continuing
education programs. Unlike regional or specialized accrediting
agencies, the accrediting board of the Professional Board
of Education provides distance education institutions with
a single source of international recognition.
Quality
educational programs offered by institutions are essential
for the continued growth and effectiveness of online education.
Accreditation
is one means of self-improvement that promotes and upholds
academic excellence and a positive testimony both within and
without our institutions.
Accreditation
gives the graduate the esteem of successful accomplishment
of a diploma or a certification.
The PBOE
believes its accreditation program should be continued, improved,
and promoted. It is based upon a system of voluntary self-improvement
and peer review using criteria that is generally accepted
as indicators of quality. Such a program allows for the uniqueness
of each organization.
The accrediting
process is intended to strengthen and sustain the quality
and integrity of higher education, making it worthy of public
confidence. The extent to which each educational organization
accepts and fulfills the responsibilities inherent in this
process is a measure of its concern for freedom and quality
in higher education and of its commitment to strive for and
achieve excellence in its endeavors.
Accreditation
is a voluntary process. Organizations choose to apply for
accredited status at the PBOE. Once accredited, they agree
to abide by the standards of the PBOE and to regulate themselves
by taking responsibility for their own improvement.
The process
of accreditation begins when a bona-fide distance education
organization with two years of operating experience voluntarily
sends an "Application
for Accreditation" to the PBOE office. The review
process includes; review of all courses by subject matter
experts; survey of students, graduates, state departments
of education, federal agencies, Better Business Bureaus, and
other official bodies; and may include on-site inspection
conducted by peer group evaluators to verify information.
The Accrediting
Board then reviews all reports and surveys in terms of the
standards and determines whether or not to accredit the organization.
If an organization is accredited, it must conform to all educational
and business standards of the Professional Board of Education,
submit annual renewal reports, and be re-examined every five
years. In addition, any new course or testing or change in
return policy, guarantees or testing developed by an institution
must be sent to the board for review by subject matter experts
and then approved by the board.
The Accrediting
board does not accept applications from organizations which
offer distance study academic programs beyond the Masters
level.
The Accrediting
board of PBOE is the only accrediting agency which deals with
only the holistic health care industry and has a majority
of public members. There are six directors on the board. The
PBOE Accrediting board meets frequently to accredit or re-accredit
organizations, and to make changes to any standards and/or
policies that may be necessary.
We accept
NO private or advertising funds!
Acceptance
of degrees or credits from PBOE-accredited institutions are
largely determined by the policy of the "receiving organization",
e.g., an employer, a college registrar, etc. PBOE accreditation
is not a guarantee that credit will transfer to any college
or university. Click
here for more information.
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