First Certification

The Clayton College of Natural Health (CCNH) located in Birmingham, AL has fulfilled Quality Standards requirements and on April 22, 2008 became the first school awarded certification.  Clayton’s certification as an Adult and Continuing Education provider was formally presented to the school at USDLA’s annual awards dinner in St. Louis, MO.

The college was one of the original schools which three years ago expressed an interest in a credentialing program of this nature.  The school actively cooperated with the Quality Standards staff as the program was deployed over the past twelve months.

About CCNH

Founded in 1980 in Birmingham, Alabama, Clayton College of Natural Health is the world’s leading college of natural health, traditional naturopathy and holistic nutrition with students throughout the United States and around the world.  In 2007 CCNH produced its ten thousandth graduate.  The school is committed to sharing its educational mission: to teach each student how to be healthy and how to teach others to be healthy. For more information, visit www.ccnh.edu.

The USDLA/Quality Standards program has been under active development for about two and a half years now.  The program has successfully completed its first pilot certification with a second pilot slated for Spring 2008.

USDLA/QS is now accepting applications for certification from the following types of institutions:

1. K-12.  Elementary/secondary schools, Kindergarten through Grade 12.
2. Higher education.  College and postgraduate levels offering courses which lead to a standard degree.  (Individual courses or continuing education programs are reviewed within Alternative and Continuing Education.)
3. Technical and Vocational Education/Training.  Programs, usually post-secondary, that are primarily focused on qualifying an individual for a job, trade, or career.  May offer college credit but, more often, a certificate.
4. Alternative and Continuing Education.  Aspirational, nonstandard, lifelong learning, or adult education offerings.  (Programs serving adult learners seeking a diploma would be K12. Schools offering standard college degrees to working adults would in Higher Education.)

It is anticipated that the review process will become fully operational in the Summer of 2008.

USDLA/QS Overview
USDLA/QS Code of Conduct

For additional information about USDLA/QS , please contact: