About Us

The Global Distance Learning Association (GDLA) is a private, independent association dedicated to regulating and advocating for excellence in distance education worldwide.

Headquarters: Sydney, Australia
Europe Hub: Near Kärntner Ring, 1010 Vienna, Austria

Mission: Empowering standards, promoting best practices, and uniting stakeholders across the distance learning sector.
Vision: To be the trusted voice and quality benchmark in global distance learning.

Accreditation Process

GDLA supports institutions through a transparent, step-by-step accreditation journey to ensure quality and credibility in distance education.

Steps include:

  1. Eligibility Check: Confirm that your institution primarily operates in distance education and meets GDLA's baseline standards.
  2. Registration & Application: Submit an online application with institutional information and required documentation.
  3. Self-Assessment: Complete a comprehensive self-study or checklist documenting your quality measures.
  4. Review & Site Visit: Undergo desk review, potential peer evaluation, and virtual or in-person site visits.
  5. Final Decision & Reporting: Receive an accreditation report, respond to recommendations, and get official recognition when approved.

A detailed accreditation handbook and guidelines are provided to member institutions to navigate each step effectively.

Fees

GDLA maintains a transparent fee structure to support accreditation and membership services.

Fee structure:

Category Fee (USD) Notes
Application Processing $500 One-time, non-refundable
Accreditation Review $1,000 – $5,000 Based on institution size and scope
Annual Membership Dues $300 – $5,000 Scaled by organization revenue and type
Re-accreditation (Every 5 years) $800 – $3,000 Includes compliance audit and review

All fees support GDLA’s quality assurance, research, and member services.

Features

GDLA offers a range of features to support its members:

Key offerings include:

  • Regulatory Advocacy: Actively representing members in international educational policy forums.
  • Quality Standards Development: Tailored frameworks for distance, online, and blended learning environments.
  • Resource Access: Providing up-to-date policy briefings, white papers, and compliance toolkits.
  • Peer Networking: Facilitating professional communities and annual summits for cross-border exchange.
  • Accreditation Support: Comprehensive guidance for institutions aiming to meet global education benchmarks.

Benefits

Membership with GDLA provides significant advantages:

Key benefits include:

Benefit Description
Quality Assurance External validation enhances institutional credibility and public trust worldwide.
Global Recognition Accreditation improves student recruitment, mobility, and partnership opportunities internationally.
Continuous Improvement Access to best practices, benchmarks, and ongoing improvement strategies.
Professional Growth Participation in events, workshops, and knowledge sharing for staff and leadership.
Advocacy Unified voice representing members to influence distance education regulations and policies.

Norms

GDLA members are expected to uphold high standards:

Core norms include:

  • Integrity and Transparency: Members must adhere to ethical practices in administration, teaching, and communications.
  • Learner Protection: Commitment to clear communication of program expectations and protection of learner rights.
  • Data Privacy: Compliance with international data protection regulations safeguarding personal information.
  • Quality Monitoring: Ongoing self-assessment and adherence to GDLA's rigorous standards and guidelines.

Terms & Conditions

GDLA membership and accreditation come with clear terms:

Key terms include:

  • Membership Eligibility: Open to qualifying institutions, technology providers, and policy organizations engaged in distance learning.
  • Use of Accreditation Seal: Restricted to fully accredited members; unauthorized use is prohibited.
  • Renewal & Compliance: Accreditation is valid for five years; requires annual reporting and compliance audits.
  • Dispute Resolution: Formal mediation handled by GDLA’s Ethics Committee addresses member grievances.
  • Intellectual Property: GDLA resources are protected and reproduction without permission is forbidden.

Contact Us

We welcome inquiries about accreditation, membership, partnerships, or general questions.

Contact details:

Email: info@gdla.site
Website: www.GDLA.site

Sydney Office: Australia
Vienna Hub: Near Kärntner Ring, 1010 Vienna, Austria

Send Us an Email