DSU Testing Services Office Earns National Certification

Delaware State University’s Testing Services and Programs Office has been awarded the National College Testing Association (NCTA) Test Center Certification for meeting the national standards for such work.

Based in the Thomasson Building on campus, the DSU Testing Services and Programs Office has been evaluated by the NCTA Test Certification Committee, which reviewed the office’s application package and also made a site visit. The committee found that the center meets the established standards for adequate facilities, test integrity, confidentiality, staff training, contracts, testing manager and staff, services and public relations. The NCTA Governing Board accepted the committee’s recommendation  and awarded the DSU office a five-year certification.

“Our achievement of this national recognition reflects quality customer service, standards of excellence and integrity-based test security that DSU Testing Services and Programs provides to our customers,” said Dr. Amystique Y.H. Church, Test Center administrator. “The accreditation serves as a testament by being recognized and emulated for our innovative and successful processes.”      

To earn the certification, a mission statement for the DSU Testing Office had to be developed. Found to be acceptable by the NCTA Test Certification Committee, it reads:

The mission of the Testing Services and Programs Office is to assist DSU students and the surrounding communities in assessing their knowledge, skills, and abilities as it relates to higher and continuing education by providing a variety of programming to engage and promote student success and testing credentialing certifications. This is accomplished through the use of written, computer-adapted assessments, workshops and testing instruments.  

Testing Services and Programs is committed to a diverse environment that encourages students and staff to function independently while demonstrating their inter- and intra-dependence as members of the collegiate community. We set the standard of excellence in the testing center by providing quality services to our DSU community and surrounding communities in the Delmarva Peninsula. Delaware State University, University College, Testing Services and Programs subscribes to the NCTA Professional Standards and Guidelines.

Dr. Lisa Dunning, association vice president of University College and Academic Affairs, said the University is “extremely proud” of the testing center’s accomplishment.

“The significance of this achievement for DSU’s Testing Services and Programs (TSP) is grounded in the quality, integrity and professional standards which are demonstrated through TSP’s customer service, and testing processes,” Dr. Dunning said.  “Under the leadership of Dr. Church, the test center has re-envisioned and designed programs and services that adhere to a new level of commitment and excellence.”

The Office of Testing Services and Programs administers more than 1,000 exam offerings, including the College Level Examination Program, English as a Foreign Language Test, PRAXIS I and II, New Student/Transfer Placement Test, GED, ACT, State of Delaware Certification Testing, Pharmacy Technician/Real Estate Certification, and many more. It also has more than 100 vendors/partners.