United States Distance Learning Association

The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) is a non-profit professional membership organization dedicated to advancing distance and digital learning. Founded in 1987, it was the first nonprofit distance learning association in the United States. The association connects the people, practices, and policies that focus on achieving the highest potential of distance and digital learning, education, and training. Its mission is to enhance the quality of distance learning by empowering instructors with the tools, training, and resources they need to deliver effective and engaging online education. USDLA serves as the premier professional membership organization designed to advocate and support the needs of distance education (DE) leaders. USDLA's resources support more than 100,000 members in the DE professional community who serve education, business, health, and government. The association offers networking opportunities through its annual conference, monthly and weekly webinars, and discussions with peers, thought leaders, and researchers in the field. Volunteer opportunities include committee membership, support to local state chapters, and selection to the Board of Directors. USDLA represents constituencies in education, business, health, and government nationally and internationally, and its voice continues to influence policy. The association has a rich history of involvement with the Distance and Digital Learning (DLL) community. It convened its first national policy forum in 1991 to develop and publish national policy recommendations that have been the basis of legislative and administrative proposals in education and telecommunications policy. USDLA began establishing state chapters in 1993 to help promote and develop DLL policies at the local level. It has also expanded its global role by convening quarterly meetings in Europe, the Pacific Rim, Asia, Africa, and Australia. USDLA hosts annual conferences that bring together leaders and professionals within the DLL industry, with past locations including St. Louis, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Washington DC, Florida, and California. USDLA is headquartered in Oviedo, Florida, and its website is usdla.org. The association organizes National Distance Learning Week (NDLW), an annual event; the 19th NDLW is scheduled for November 2–6, 2026, with the theme "Advancing AI, Global Education (OER), and the Sustainable Future of Distance Education." USDLA also publishes blogs and articles, and offers sponsorship opportunities. As a non-profit organization, it is not publicly traded and operates as a membership-based association.

The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) was founded in 1987 as the first nonprofit distance learning association in the United States. From its inception, the organization has focused on connecting the people, practices, and policies that advance distance and digital learning, education, and training. Its mission is to enhance the quality of distance learning by empowering instructors with the tools, training, and resources they need to deliver effective and engaging online education. In 1991, USDLA convened its first national policy forum to develop and publish national policy recommendations. These recommendations have served as the basis for legislative and administrative proposals in education and telecommunications policy. The association has become a leading source of information and recommendations for government agencies, Congress, industry, and those entering the development of distance learning programs. In 1993, USDLA began a process to establish state chapters to help promote and develop distance and digital learning policies at the local level. This initiative strengthened its national presence by enabling grassroots engagement and localized advocacy. The association also expanded its global role by convening quarterly meetings in Europe, the Pacific Rim, Asia, Africa, and Australia, reflecting the international scope of distance education. USDLA hosts annual conferences that bring together leaders and professionals within the distance and digital learning industry. Past conference locations include St. Louis, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Washington DC, Florida, and California. These events, along with monthly and weekly webinars, provide networking opportunities for members and facilitate discussion with peers, thought leaders, and researchers. The association organizes National Distance Learning Week (NDLW), an annual event that champions key themes in the field. The 19th NDLW is scheduled for November 2–6, 2026, with the theme "Advancing AI, Global Education (OER), and the Sustainable Future of Distance Education." USDLA continues to research and share best practices in the utilization of distance learning modalities both nationally and internationally, and its resources support more than 100,000 members in the distance education professional community who serve education, business, health, and government.

• 2026

  19th National Distance Learning Week scheduled for November 2–6, 2026.

• 1993

  Began establishing state chapters to promote and develop distance learning policies at the local level.

• 1991

  Convened first national policy forum to develop and publish national policy recommendations.

• 1987

  USDLA founded as the first nonprofit distance learning association in the United States.

Premier professional membership organization advocating for and supporting distance education leaders across education, business, health, and government.

• Professional Membership

  Membership for distance education professionals, offering networking, webinars, and volunteer opportunities.

• Annual National Conference

  Annual conference bringing together leaders and professionals in distance and digital learning.

• National Distance Learning Week (NDLW)

  Annual event championing key themes in distance education; 19th edition scheduled for 2026.

• Webinars

  Monthly and weekly webinars for professional development and networking.

• Policy Advocacy

  National policy recommendations and advocacy for distance education.

• State Chapters

  Local chapters promoting distance learning policies at the state level.

• Publications and Blogs

  News, articles, and blog posts on distance learning topics.

• Sponsorships

  Sponsorship opportunities for organizations to support USDLA events and initiatives.

1. 1USDLA - United States Distance Learning Associationusdla.org
2. 2History - USDLAusdla.org
3. 3About - USDLAusdla.org
4. 4Contact - USDLAusdla.org
5. 5United States Distance Learning Associationwikidata.org