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 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:
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.