UMUC's online, 36-credit MDE program is designed for working adults who want to gain solid skills in managing the distance education enterprise within educational, business, government, and non-profit organizations.

The program is offered in partnership with Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Germany, a leading German institution with extensive experience in distance education. The partnership helps to ensure that the program has a broad, global perspective, which is critical to distance educators in today's world.

In response to receiving the recognition, UMUC President Dr. Aldridge stated, "The University of Maryland University College is very proud to receive the distinction of the CEL accreditation for the Master's degree in Distance Education. The accreditation signifies that the UMUC program is of high quality, recognized by leaders in the field, and has met the highest international standards for accreditation. This program is a result of our partnership with Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg (Germany), showcasing a successful internationalization effort, ongoing since 2000. We're very proud of this achievement and the international recognition associated with the CEL accreditation.”

UMUC's MDE program has received previous recognitions and accolades, including the 2003 UCEA award for Program of Excellence within the Distance Education Community of Practice and the 2003 Sloan-C Most Outstanding Online Teaching and Learning Program.