Many factors are at play when prospective students choose a bootcamp. The network a bootcamp offers, the sort of education provided, alumni testimonials, and outcomes reports are all great ways to get a sense of which bootcamp is the right fit for you.
But with all the claims to sift through, how can prospective students be certain that a bootcamp meets the standards they seek? Wouldn’t it be great if there was a formal vetting and standardization process so that you could be assured of the quality of a bootcamp beforehand?
This is essentially what an Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) certification is. And NYC Data Science Academy is the only data science bootcamp with this accreditation. Read on to see what exactly this accreditation means for the school, and what it could mean for you.
NYC Data Science Academy is the only data science bootcamp to receive ACCET accreditation, ensuring a high-level standard of education recognized in the industry.
Secure a seat at NYC Data Science Academy.What Is ACCET?
The Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training or ACCET is an organization recognized by the United States Department of Education “as a reliable authority on education quality since 1978.”
The goal of ACCET is to “identify, evaluate, and enhance the delivery of continuing education and training through an independent peer-evaluation process,” meaning institutions providing education must meet Council standards in many requirements to receive the certification.
The accreditation process is rigorous, composed of analytical self-evaluations and peer evaluations. Each school wishing to get certified must prove its education meets the degree of excellence that ACCET seeks to promote.
Recently, NYC Data Science Academy (NYC DSA) underwent this process.
Receiving the Stamp of Approval
NYC DSA has been offering data science bootcamps and courses for over seven years. According to Paul Bao, the Director of Education and Compliance at NYC DSA, the school has gained national and international recognition from students and employers. So, the next step for NYC DSA was to gain official third-party recognition by becoming ACCET-accredited and joining an association of schools that offer quality education and services.
“We reviewed our mission,” Paul says, “our vision and goals, and we critically evaluated our educational products and made efforts to enhance them. We enhanced existing policies and procedures and developed new ones where needed.”
“The process was meaningful and made NYC DSA a much stronger and better school. We are proud of our efforts and achievements and are committed to seeking continuous improvement as we grow our school even more,” he says.
NYC DSA submitted its application in the fall of 2019 and went through several rounds of self-evaluation, reflection, peer evaluation, visitations, and presentations to be granted accreditation. The certificate was granted in August, valid for three years.
What Does NYC DSA’s ACCET Accreditation Mean for Students?
NYC DSA feels proud that it’s earned this accreditation as it demonstrates to the public its dedication to providing an excellent education. The bootcamp wants to maintain the high-quality education it offers and is willing to self-reflect and be honest about achieving that.
“We feel proud that our educational programs and services have been recognized as having high quality, meaningful purpose and excellent learning and career outcomes for students who have gone through our bootcamps.”
A Promise of Quality to Students
For students, this accreditation means NYC DSA is an institution verified by fellow educators who have confirmed that the bootcamp offers trusty-worthy programs that adhere to a set of high standards. Bao notes that students can rest assured the school has a systemic approach to its operational practices that are ethical and have the best interest of the students at heart.
“By attending an accredited school, student interest and rights are protected, and the school is held accountable for its policies, procedures, practices, and student completion and placement outcomes. It means quality assurance for the educational curriculum, instructional delivery, and administrative and support services that they will receive,” he said.
The accreditation also helps the school meet a requirement to offer federal student financial aid and veteran benefits. International students can also potentially apply for visas for studying at the school. Students who want to pursue higher education can request to have their education at NYC DSA evaluated for potential grant of transfer credits.
What Does NYC DSA’s ACCET Accreditation Mean for Future Employers?
NYC Data Science Academy’s ACCET accreditation guarantees students they will be attending a recognized institution in the field of data science. “The credibility and trustworthiness associated with accreditation may help them in the process of seeking employment in the field of training,” says Bao.
Recognition in the Field
NYC DSA has found many employers associate accreditation with recognition of legitimacy and credibility, meaning employers know NYC DSA students receive top-tier education. This can give students a slight competitive edge.
“Ultimately, though, the competence of our graduates will speak more loudly than anything we could say about our institution and accreditation. With our quality of education, we believe our graduates will be welcomed by most employers,” Bao says.
NYC DSA is the only data science bootcamp that has national accreditation. And as an already well-recognized brand in the data science field, the school believes its credibility will continue to improve.
Input from Employers
NYC DSA spoke to its Program Advisory Board when it was seeking accreditation. Some of the members of the board are employers of NYC DSA graduates. “A couple of members offered invaluable input on our program curriculum and helped us make our curriculum more directly related to real-world data science practices,” Bao says.
The Bottom Line of Accreditation
Ultimately, Bao says the accreditation benefits students the most in two major ways. First, the quality of education and services is more assured and of a higher standard because of revisions.
Second, the trustworthiness of the institution has been confirmed in the eyes of the student, future employers, the educational community, and the data science field. This may help students in the process of seeking employment after graduation.
The accreditation requires continuous efforts for quality and improvement, compelling NYC DSA to deliver a consistently high-quality program to future cohorts. Are you interested in pursuing a data science bootcamp that maintains its quality and reputation? Apply to NYC Data Science Academy’s upcoming cohort.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
