About Iacdsc

Founded in 2015, IACDSC is the first international accreditation organization for degree-granting institutions based on Dharmic traditions and cultures. We accredit professional, religious, yoga and meditation, technical, and occupational programs. IACDSC is the global accreditation organization body for Dharma institutions. IACDSC has submitted applications for approval as an accrediting agency for Dharmic programs to the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

IACDSC is a registered 501 (C)(3) non-profit organization in the state of Florida and aims to provide accreditation to institutions, colleges, and schools, which provide education based on Dharmic traditions and cultures. Dharmic traditions and cultures include all the religious, yoga, meditations, languages, spiritual traditions and cultures which are termed more as a way of life or Dharma than a religion. This includes the Dharmic philosophies originated in India such as Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Sikh, and all related sects and groups who claim to be Dharmic in nature. It also includes all the indigenous traditions and cultures which have existed for more than 2000 years and are considered more as a way of life than a religion. This includes more than 500 Nations of the Native Americans, 1000 cultures originated in Africa, the European pagan traditions, Australian Aborigines, Maoris of New Zealand, and all other indigenous cultures spread all over the world.

Dharmic traditions are all inclusive and think about humanity and human beings in totality. IACDSC will be open to receiving applications to accredit all organizations which provide education to populations irrespective of creed, race, country of origin, and are contributing to the world’s diversity.

Inclusion Criteria: IACDSC will accept into membership any schools, colleges, or universities which include in their curriculum courses on metaphysics, parapsychology, psychical research, hypnotism, E.S.P., Eastern-types of meditation, or the theory of evolution or reincarnation. We accept all new-age, neo-paganistic, humanistic, occultic, and any other teachings.

Why IACDSC

There is no authority in Dharma education which maintains the standards of education and offers a process for accreditation. The acceptance of these traditions is growing worldwide and is reflected in more than 100,000 yoga institutes in the USA itself; thousands more worldwide. There is a need for an accreditation agency which will provide necessary accreditation and help maintain the high standards of education of Dharmic schools and colleges.

Core Values

The IACDSC seeks to fulfill its mission by:

• Spiritual Engagement: We will fulfill our mission as a spiritual enterprise united under Dharma and Dharmic traditions originated in India and spread all over the world in different forms, which all support the philosophy for total humanity and human beings in totality, including the indigenous traditions and cultures of the world which uphold similar values of life.
• Uncompromising Integrity: We will be honest, transparent, and mutually accountable in all personal and organizational relationships through word, attitude and action.
• Stakeholder Value:. We will persistently deliver added value for Dharmic institutes through services, resources, communications, and partnerships.
• Professional Excellence: We will pursue and promote the highest quality in our educational standards, organizational processes, services, events, communications and relationships.
• Innovation Bias: We will consistently honor initiatives and foster creativity.
• Team Synergy: We will partner with colleagues in high mutual respect, reflexive cooperation, personal industry, and collective effectiveness.

The Scope of IACDSC Accreditation

IACDSC is an international accrediting agency (applied for recognition by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) with a focus on Dharma (defined earlier) education worldwide.

State Authority approval

Local state licensing agencies, higher education commissions, and other bureaus for private postsecondary education grant institutions permission to operate in their respective countries and states. IACDSC works with institutions which are registered with the local authority bodies for school and higher education accreditation.

Federal Eligibility for Student Financial Aid

The U.S. Department of Education determines institutional eligibility to participate in the federal financial aid offered to students and enforces the regulations governing the adherence to federal student financial aid programs. The Department relies on the accreditation of the institutions to determine institutional eligibility to offer financial aid to students.

To view the minimum eligibility requirements, visit the Department's website on Federal Student Aid.