Accreditation and Licencing

GIA is a non-profit, private, post-secondary educational institution incorporated for the purpose of promoting education and research in gemmology, jewellery manufacturing arts and related subjects.

GIA’s campus in Carlsbad is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). GIA’s campus in New York is accredited by the ACCSC as a branch of GIA’s campus in Carlsbad. ACCSC’s accreditation is institutional in nature and includes GIA’s US On Campus education only. GIA’s Distance Education courses and lab classes do not fall within the purview of GIA’s institutional accreditation by the ACCSC.

ACCSC Accreditation Approval – Carlsbad Campus 
ACCSC Accreditation Approval – New York Campus

GIA’s eLearning courses and lab classes are accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).GIA’s lab classes do not fall within the purview of ACCSC accreditation.

DEAC Accrediation Approval

ACCSC and DEAC are listed by the US Department of Education as nationally recognised accrediting agencies.

This institution is a private institution approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). Approval to operate means the institution is compliant with the minimum standards contained in the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 (as amended) and Division 7.5 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations. Any questions a student may have regarding this catalogue that have not been satisfactorily answered by the institution may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education at 2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 400, Sacramento, California 95833 USA, the website bppe.ca.gov, the freephone number +1 888 370 7589 or by fax +1 916 263 1897. As required by California Education Code 94909(a)(12), GIA discloses it has no pending petition in bankruptcy, is not operating as a debtor in possession, has not filed a petition within the preceding five years, and has not had a petition in bankruptcy filed against it within the preceding five years that resulted in reorganisation under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. Sec. 1101 et seq.). The BPPE approves educational programmes that lead to the award of a recognised credential such as a certificate or diploma. GIA’s professional development and continuing education lab classes and seminars do not fall within the purview of GIA’s institutional approval by the CA BPPE.

As a prospective student, you are encouraged to review this catalogue prior to signing an enrolment agreement. You are also encouraged to review the California School Performance Fact Sheets, which must be provided to you prior to signing an enrolment agreement, and which are available on GIA’s website at GIA.edu/student-consumer-information.

GIA’s campus in New York is licensed by the New York State Education Department.

GIA has been approved by the US Department of Education to offer Title IV federal financial aid to qualified students in GIA’s six-month Graduate Gemologist (GG), Graduate Jeweler (GJ), and Jewelry Design & Technology (JDT) programmes.Additionally, GIA is approved for qualifying students to receive funding, including veteran’s benefits and vocational rehabilitation funding, for the approved On Campus programmes from California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education and New York State Bureau of Veterans Education.

GIA's Distance Learning programmes are authorised by the Texas Workforce Commission. The GIA Applied Jewelry Professional™ (AJP^®) programme is exempt from regulation under Texas Education Code, section 132.002 (a) (3). Texas residents enrolling in Distance Education courses should refer to the Texas Education Catalogue. 

In addition to the approvals described above, GIA is authorised to offer, and/or recruit for, its eLearning courses in the following states: Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Nebraska, Utah and Wyoming.

GIA’s continuing education and professional development programmes do not fall within the scope of ACCSC or DEAC accreditation or state licensing approvals.

GIA’s campus in London is accredited by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) and the British Accreditation Council (BAC).

GIA’s Dubai location is registered with the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC); Dubai courses are registered with the KHDA (Knowledge & Human Development Authority, Dubai).

GIA’s campus in Bangkok is registered with the Office of the Private Education Commission, Ministry of Education in Thailand.

The Graduate Gemologist programme offered through GIA’s Hong Kong campus is registered with the Hong Kong Education Bureau (EDB).

GIA’s campus in Taiwan is registered with the Department of Education,
Taipei City Government.