Membership, Quality Assurance & Accreditation
Choose the path that best fits where you are today. Join IACDE for professional resources, quality-assurance engagement, collaboration, and institutional visibility—or begin the formal accreditation pathway when your institution is ready for independent review.
Membership begins at $125/year. Accreditation begins with eligibility review.
What You Get — Accreditation
Independent peer review, published standards, clearly defined evidence expectations, public verification for approved status, and a structured process for demonstrating institutional quality.
- Public verification and directory information for approved accreditation classifications
- Published standards and clearly defined evidence requirements
- Formal institutional self-study and evidence development
- Professional peer review and Commission consideration
- Continuing quality assurance after accreditation is awarded
How Accreditation Works
Institutions begin with eligibility review and proceed through the stages applicable to their approved scope.
Built for Digital-Learning Leaders
Membership gives individuals and institutions a way to engage with IACDE’s quality-assurance community without entering formal accreditation review.
- Templates, quality-assurance checklists, and policy resources
- Webinars, roundtables, and professional programming
- Networking and collaboration opportunities
- Member and institutional visibility opportunities
- Resources useful to institutions preparing for future accreditation
Accreditation Is Paid in Stages
Candidate Status is a separate developmental stage. The Full Accreditation review fee is assessed later in the accreditation process based on institutional enrollment.
Based on Institutional Enrollment
1–250 students: $2,500 + 5%
$2,625 including 5% processing surcharge
251–1,000 students: $3,000 + 5%
$3,150 including 5% processing surcharge
1,001+ students: $4,000 + 5%
$4,200 including 5% processing surcharge
The $1,365 Candidate Status fee is separate from the later Full Accreditation review fee. Institutions should submit candidacy payment only after IACDE has confirmed that the institution is eligible and approved to proceed.
Membership Tiers
Choose the membership level that best reflects your relationship with IACDE. Membership is separate from accreditation.
Associate
For individual educators, consultants, reviewers, and professionals seeking IACDE resources, programming, and community engagement.
Institutional
For schools, universities, academies, training providers, and other eligible education organizations seeking institutional membership and visibility.
Strategic Partner
For organizations seeking expanded collaboration, partner visibility, and participation in selected IACDE initiatives.
Accreditation Distinctions
IACDE Distinctions, where offered, are specialized recognitions associated with the formal accreditation process. They are not membership products and are not automatically granted through membership, partnership, sponsorship, or payment.
A Distinction requires applicable evidence and review within the accreditation process. Membership alone does not create or imply a specialized accreditation designation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we join IACDE without seeking accreditation?
Yes. Membership is available separately from accreditation for eligible individuals and organizations.
Does membership mean our institution is accredited?
No. Membership does not constitute Candidate Status, Full Accreditation, or an accreditation distinction.
What is the first step toward accreditation?
Institutions begin with eligibility review. IACDE reviews institutional information and determines whether the organization may proceed into the formal accreditation pathway.
What is Candidate Status?
Candidate Status is a developmental pre-accreditation stage for institutions formally approved to proceed. It is distinct from Full Accreditation.
Is the $1,365 candidacy fee the full accreditation fee?
No. The Candidate Status fee is separate from the Full Accreditation review fee. The Full Accreditation fee is assessed later based on institutional enrollment.
Are IACDE Distinctions included with membership?
No. Accreditation Distinctions are not membership products. Where offered, they require applicable evidence and review within the accreditation process.
Is IACDE recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or CHEA?
IACDE is a private, independent quality-assurance and accrediting organization and is not currently recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or CHEA. Regulatory, licensing, transfer-credit, employment, and recognition requirements vary by jurisdiction and purpose.
Important Status Disclosure: Membership, partnership, sponsorship, training, consulting, application, preliminary inquiry, eligibility review, payment, or participation in an IACDE activity does not by itself constitute Candidate Status, Full Accreditation, or approval of an institution or program. Candidate Status and Full Accreditation are separate classifications granted only through the applicable IACDE review and decision processes. IACDE is a private, independent quality-assurance and accrediting organization and is not currently recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or CHEA. Institutions and members are responsible for accurately representing their current relationship, classification, and approved scope.
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Accreditation & Membership for Online and Hybrid Programs
Prove quality with independent peer review and a public verification badge—or join for templates, QA checklists, and policy kits built for digital-learning leaders.
Membership from $125/yr • Application from $600