Accreditation is a process which assures the potential students that an institution has clearly defined the appropriate objectives, and maintains conditions under which the students achievement can reasonably be expected. It encourages improvement through continuous self-evaluation and review. It fosters excellence through the development of principles and guidelines for assessing pedagogical effectiveness. There are a few points worth bearing in mind regarding accreditation:

1. Accreditation is a non-governmental peer-review process in which the integrity and good faith of an institution and its officers are essential.

2. The burden of proof in demonstrating compliance with standards rests with the institution, not with the Accrediting Commission. The institution must prove to the Accrediting Commission that it meets or exceeds the standards.

3. The Accrediting Commission considers information about an applicant institution from any source in reaching its conclusion.

4. Accreditation is by its nature a formal, but nonetheless, collegial process. It works best when there is a common agreement that the chief purpose for seeking accreditation is the identification of soundness, honesty and quality in the practice of distance education.

1. The Member should be committed to the continuous professional development of academic and administrative staff, instructors and trainers.

2. The Member is financially responsible and can meet its obligations to learners. A Member’s financial resources should afford all enrolled learners a reasonable prospect of completing their studies.

3. The Member adopts widely accepted norms of good business and employment practice including (but not limited to):

3.1. Having a clear, fair and effective procedure for dealing with complaints.

3.2. Having a fair and effective policy on refunds, which is made clear to the learner prior to enrollment.

3.3 Not discriminating, directly or indirectly, on grounds of gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, or religious or political belief.

3.4 Having adequate premises and equipment to conduct its business.

4. All staff are suitable for the positions they hold, and possess appropriate qualifications and experience.

5. Learner support is of high quality. Where a Member employs more than one tutor, trainer, or instructor steps are taken to ensure that support is consistent throughout the provision.

Such measures may include but are not necessarily limited to:-

5.1 The development of normative schemes for marking and assessment.

5.2 Guidance notes for instructors, trainers, and/or faculty.

5.3 Regular meetings of instructors, trainers and/or faculty.

5.4 Sharing information on good practice, problems and solutions.

5.5 Ongoing monitoring and review of tutors’/ instructors’/trainers’/faculty work, including random or systematic sampling of marking and comments.

5.6 An appraisal system for tutors/instructors/trainers/faculty.

5.7 Guidance for new academic / training staff in the special requirements of open, distance, and online learning.

5.8 Providing adequate administrative backup for academic / training and administrative staff.

5.9 Such other provisions as the provider deems appropriate.

6. Sufficient resources are available to ensure that every learner receives an adequate individual service

Da Vinci Institute of Holistic Medicine Degrees do not guarantee a graduate the right to practice in the field of natural health, health counselling and/or consultation, or to practice any form of medicine without approval in the country that they are practicing in.

It is the student’s responsibility to determine whether their own country will approve the practice of natural medicine as all countries have their own regulations regarding this.

Having said this, it must also be said the the majority of countries in both the Western world and developing countries DO NOT have legislation regarding the practice of natural medicine, therefore legally allowing all to practice freely.

What is important is to belong to a recognized association in the country that you intend working in – our degree programs are designed with the

The Da Vinci Institute of Holistic Medicine Degree programs expressly reserves the right to change without notice all information contained herein; including, but not limited to, the following: fees and tuition, policy and procedures, degrees offered, required coursework and course offerings, and/or degree/academic requirements.