The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) was formed in 1987 as a means for these pioneers to find one another and share design concepts for both delivery and instruction. At that time, Distance Learning (DL) was a concept well outside the educational mainstream and while a few people knew something of the process, actual hands-on DL experience was rare.
Today, with more than one-third of college students taking an online class, we now provide guidance on public policy, host virtual and in-person educational conferences and introduce leading edge pedagogy to a new generation of nearly 100,000 teaching professionals.
As a resource for teachers and administrators looking to enhance the learning experience, we connect the people, practices, and policies that focus on achieving the highest potential of distance and digital learning, education, and training. If you serve learners at a distance, we serve you.
Membership Versus Accreditation
The US Distance Learning Association neither accredits nor licenses academic institutions. The use of the USDLA logo is for membership purposes only and does not convey USDLA approval of any type.
The status of US-based institutions can be researched at the United States Department of Education website: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation. International institutions should be pursued with their host country.
Distinct from accreditation, USDLA does offer certification to institutions who meet the criteria of USDLA/Quality Standards. Those institutions may be found at Certification – USDLA. If you would like to add your institution to this prestigious list, please review our Quality Standards certification, https://usdla.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/How-to-Get-Certified.pdf
Paid members enjoy a wealth of direct USDLA benefits:
Members receive access to all copies of the USDLA Distance Learning Journal, published from 2015 to 2025
USDLA will provide certificates of completion for attending select events including our Friday Free Webinars, Public Policy Week (PPW), National Distance/Digital Learning Conference, and National Distance Learning Week (NDLW).
Members enjoy a $100 discount to our annual National Distance/Digital Learning Conference
Members enjoy 50% off the non-member price when submitting applications for our annual International Digital/Distance Learning Award
Members will receive priority consideration over non-members when submitting proposals to present at our National Distance/Digital Learning Conference
Members will receive priority consideration over non-members when submitting proposals to present at our National Distance Learning Week (NDLW)
Members have the ability to submit articles to be considered for publishing in the journal
Members have access to the leadership team to ask questions, request attendance at area events, and request deeper involvement with the association
Members have the ability to serve on the USDLA Advisory Board
Members have access to all webinars that have a cost associated for non-members (several per year)
Members receive specific partner-sponsor benefits such as discounts to distance/digital education products and services
Members have access to all USDLA produced educational content previously recorded
Members have access to multiple events per year that provide certificates of completion
Members enjoy representation in Washington on a variety of public policy topics shaping the world of digital and distance education
USDLA Membership Levels
Individual Membership Options
All USDLA paid members will receive NYDLA product discounts through their TAC-USA superstore. Please login to your member account to access discount code under the communications message board.
Individual Membership – $125
Benefits:
- Access to USDLA Distance Learning Journal archives
- E-delivery of Weekly Newsletter and SmartBrief Market Pulse
- Members Portal Access
- USDLA Event Content
- Free Friday Webinars
- Member Directory
- Publishing consideration into QRDE Journal
- E-Learning Advocacy
- Member Election to USDLA Board Voting Rights
- Ability to Serve on USDLA Board
- Award, Conference and Proposal Submission Discounts
- Public Job Board
Student Membership – $30
Benefits:
Same as Trial Membership plus Distance Learning Training Class and Certification with Digital Badge
Note: You must be a verified student
Become a MemberIndividual Retired Membership – $50
Trial Individual Membership
Benefits:
Full access to all Individual level benefits for 60 days, no credit card required.
Note: All trial memberships will be converted to Individual after 60 days and an invoice will be sent automatically.
Become a MemberInstitutional Membership Options
Non-Profit Membership – $500
Benefits:
Five Individual memberships with full benefits as well as a web listing for your institution
Become a MemberFor-Profit Membership – $1,000
Benefits:
Five Individual memberships with full benefits as well as a web listing for your institution
Become a MemberNon-Profit with Student Membership
Benefits:
- Five Individual memberships with full benefits as well as a web listing for your institution
- Campus-wide student membership with full benefits
*Based on Enrollment
Cost: $500 plus per student fee
1-1,000: $1,000
1001-5000: $5,000
5001-10000: $10,000
Become a MemberFor-Profit with Student Membership
Benefits:
- Five Individual memberships with full benefits as well as a web listing for your institution
- Campus-wide student membership with full benefits
*Based on Enrollment
Cost: $1,000 plus per student fee
1-1,000: $1,000
1001-5000: $5,000
5001-10000: $10,000
Become a MemberFull List of Insitutional Members
Thanks to our institutional members for their continued support towards our mission within the digital/distance learning community.
NOTE: Membership in USDLA does NOT constitute Accreditation nor Certification in Distance Education/Learning
For-Profit
- American Imperial University
- American eAcademy
- Atlantic International University
- California National University
- Crestwood University
- European Institute of Management and Technology
- International Dublin University
- International University of Applied Sciences
- Noarcon University
- Riverside University of California
Not For-Profit
- Bircham International University
- Bodhisastra University
- Central State University
- City College of Chicago
- College of Lake County
- Commonwealth Open University
- Covenant University
- Creighton University
- Fort Hays State University
- Jackson State University
- Highland University of California
- Landmark College
- Madison Bay University
- Mizzou Academy
- Midtown Baptist Temple
- North Carolina Central University
- Omega Graduate School
- Roosevelt International University of Baptist
- Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
- St. Johns River State College
- Stevens Institute of Technology
- Tennessee State University (TSU)
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Tulane University
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock
- University of Brookstone
- University of North Texas Dallas
- University of Wisconsin-Stout
- Utah Education and Telehealth Network