Newsroom :: UMT Successfully Passed DETC Five-year Re-accreditation and Gained DBA

ARLINGTON, Virginia, June 11, 2007 – The University of Management and Technology (UMT) is pleased to announce it has been re-accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC, www.detc.org). UMT received notice that the commission’s decision was effective 9 June 2007. DETC accreditation is granted on a five-year cycle, so UMT’s next re-accreditation is scheduled to occur in 2012.

As a DETC-accredited institution, UMT completes an extensive self-evaluation review and then invites independent peer-review of all aspects of the institution’s operations. The overall accreditation process includes reviews of curriculum and courses by subject matter experts; enrollment, tuition and grading policies; student services; financial and accounting practices; and long-term planning. Dr. Eric Kirkland, Vice President, led the re-accreditation effort. He stated, “We are delighted to receive the news. This has been an intense, year-long effort by everyone involved. We’re especially grateful for the support and guidance we received throughout the process by Mr. Michael Lambert, DETC’s Executive Director, Ms. Nan Bayster, Director of Accreditation, and the whole DETC staff.”

The Accrediting Commission also granted initial accreditation to a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program. The DBA program is a practice-oriented, professional doctoral program intended for executives and senior managers who want to expand their knowledge, skills, and abilities to the fullest extent possible. Graduates will possess the knowledge and experience to assume advanced positions in the management of organizations. A combination of analytical, practical, and research-based approaches is used to equip graduates with an understanding of management thought and practices, as well as a theoretical, philosophical, and real-world understanding of business administration principles and practices. Consistent with AACSB guidelines, the curriculum includes courses on ethical and global issues, the influence of political, social, legal and regulatory, environmental and technological issues, and the impact of demographic diversity on organizations. In addition, the curriculum includes foundation courses in behavioral science, economics, and mathematics and statistics, as well as emphasizing written and oral communication. The first DBA class is expected to begin its studies in the fall.

The Accrediting Commission of the DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. DETC was founded in 1926 to promote good educational standards and ethical business practices in the institutions in the United States. In 1955, DETC established its independent nine-member Accrediting Commission, which shortly thereafter gained the recognition from the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

UMT is a world leader in delivering education in project management. UMT’s faculty have published more project management books in the last few years than the faculties of Harvard, Stanford, MIT and Berkeley combined. UMT is a PMI Global Registered Education Provider. UMT’s Project Management degree programs have received Specialized and Professional Accreditation by the Global Accreditation Center (GAC) of the Project Management Institute. UMT’s president, Dr. Yanping Chen currently serves on the PMI Board of Directors and its Academic Dean, Dr. J. Davidson Frame, is a PMI Fellow, a former member of PMI’s Board of Directors, and former Director of PMI’s Certification and Education programs. UMT has served more 40,000 students globally.