Some stuff on Madison University

Discussion in 'Accreditation Discussions (RA, DETC, state approva' started by italiansupernova, Dec 28, 2003.

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  1. italiansupernova

    italiansupernova New Member

    The "Administrative Contact" for Madison University has a contact address of:

    2301 14th Street
    Suite #700
    Gulfport, MS 39501

    Now, have a look at
    http://wholesale.superpages.com/b2b/C-Specialties/S-MS/T-Gulfport/
    Scroll down a away and you'll see "Amos, Rick O Attorney". His street address?:
    2301 14th Street
    Gulfport, MS 39501

    To verify the given phone number I went to www.reversephonedirectory.com and entered 228-864-5505 and the results to follow were just the same. We still see 2301 14th street.

    Go to http://wholesale.superpages.com/b2b/C-Immigration,+Naturalization+&+Customs+Law/S-MS/T-Greenville/ and there again we see 2301 14th Street for another attorney and the Gulf Coast Immigration Law Center.

    At http://buscar.superpages.com/negocios/C-Impresoras/S-MS/T-Greenville/ We see:

    Ad 2
    2301 14th Street
    Gulfport, MS 39501

    To simplify, type in that street address in Google and see what you get. All kinds of attorney offices, etc. appear.

    I'm perplexed.....
     
  2. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    Attorneys involved in nefarious activities? I'm shocked......just shocked. :rolleyes:
     
  3. ms_iron

    ms_iron New Member

    Is it possible since it's is not an, on 'campus school' that they have their offices in that building?

    I am now concerned if they are legitimate. They seem to have good standing, well, at least no complaints with the MS BBB.

    Their curriculum seems sound. I did as much research as possible on-line and found no problems to date.

    Since I work full time and cannot attend an 'on campus' college, I chose Madison for my BS and Masters. The price up front was excellent (including books but they have to be returned) and the academics seem content rich, in other words I'll get as much out of the classes there, as I would at a well known college.

    They also have a list of agency's and government entities that accept their degrees.

    Am I going to have a problem now? I am not going to use the degree for employment standing, it is more for self satisfaction and yes to show that I do have those degrees.

    Advise please.
     
  4. ms_iron

    ms_iron New Member

    Opps. I'm sorry, please delete my 1st, 2 posts. I have no clue why it's in triplicate? :confused:
     
  5. ms_iron

    ms_iron New Member

    Also they seem to be very stringent. On some paper work I sent in to them, one line was not filled in, which had no value to my situation at all, yet they immediately called me on the phone at my house to tell me I am required to fill in everything according to their guidelines.

    I hope I didn't make a mistake going with them?
     
  6. italiansupernova

    italiansupernova New Member

    ms_iron,

    As stated on Madison's website:

    Madison University is fully accredited by the World Association of Universities and Colleges. The W.A.U.C. is a global accreditation association founded to establish and promote global standards in higher education among colleges and universities worldwide.
    The W.A.U.C. is a private accrediting association which is not listed with the US Department of Education or any other government agency, and is not designed to meet the needs of students intending to utilize federal funds.
    Madison University is fully accredited by the World Association of Universities and Colleges. The W.A.U.C. is a global accreditation association founded to establish and promote global standards in higher education among colleges and universities worldwide.

    So, here we have a "university" located in the United States and who operates without A) State approval and B) Recognized U.S. accreditation.

    I understand that this school was enticing with it's program costs and their claim to recognized accreditation, but do one search for the W.A.U.C. on this forum and read some of the "less-than-wonderful" comments about them. In fact, so a search for Madison University itself. You'll find the same.

    Also, I hope that you don't live or intend to live in Oregon (as well as a few other states) as a Madison University (and many others) are *ILLEGAL* for use in those states. It's a criminal offense.

    Take a look at the Orgeon Office of Degree Authorization's website & and you'll see Madison University listed:

    http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/unaccredited.html

    Furthermore, based upon researched that I have done, there are many schools like Madison that have BBB memberships. One being Canyon College, which again has no state approval or recognized accreditation, that is run out of someone's home.

    99.99% of people on this forum would've told you in the beginning to stay away.

    It's very unfortunate that you were willing to put forth an earnest effort into earning a legitimate college degree, but because of these schools dubious claims and tactics, fell victim to a scam.

    If you have any other concerns, questions, comments, etc. respond here or send me a private message.
     
  7. bgossett

    bgossett New Member

    You have good reason to be concerned. Claiming its accreditation from WAUC, the world's most obnoxious accreditation mill, Madison has no credibility whatsoever.
     
  8. Charles

    Charles New Member

    Ms. Iron,

    No matter what educational goals you may have, there are many many many many many better choices.

    Sadly, you would be much better off if you were to wager your hard earned cash at your local casino. Then, you would at least have some chance of a return on investment.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 2, 2004
  9. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    ms_iron" "...at least no complaints with the MS BBB..."

    John: The BBB does the public a real disservice in this arena. At the time Columbia State University was the biggest degree mill in the US, they were a BBB member in good standing (Louisiana) with no unresolved complaints. As I learned in doing my own Ph.D. research on complaining, the BBB can be very protective of members, and their definition of "unresolved complaint" is very specialized.
    ---------------------------------
    BBB to member: "A customer says you replaced the transmission in her car with a giant meatloaf, broke the windshield, filled the trunk with rats, and when she protested, you put her in a straightjacket and mailed her to Cleveland."
    Member: "No we didn't."
    BBB: "Case resolved."
    -------------------------------------

    ms_iron: "Am I going to have a problem now?"

    John: Depends on how you plan to "use" the degrees between now and the end of your life. If you live in or move to or even, theoretically, travel to one of the growing number of states where use of a Madison degree is a criminal offense (Oregon, Illinois, New Jersey, North Dakota, now Nevada), there is a small risk. And then, of course, there is the matter of what the state of Mississippi intends to do in 2004:

    Chronicle of Higher Education, 10/17/03
    Mississippi May Restrict Online Diploma Mills
    By Dan Carnevale

    (a few excerpts)
    Mississippi higher-education officials, alarmed that online diploma mills may be setting up shop in their state, have asked the Legislature to grant them more authority to shut down the phony institutions. William E. McHenry, assistant commissioner for academic affairs...has asked the Legislature to require that institutions be allowed to operate in the state only if they are accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
    ...
    State Sen. Terry C. Burton, a Republican who is chairman of the Senate Universities and Colleges Committee, says stopping diploma mills will be one of the Mississippi Legislature's top higher-education priorities when the new session starts next year.
    ...
    "It's a consumer-protection issue to me," Senator Burton says. "This is a way to cut the head off a snake before it attacks."
     
  10. ms_iron

    ms_iron New Member

    All I can say is I hope they can legitimize themselves somehow to the state of MS when the time comes. In the meantime I have no choice but to apply myself, since I paid $2500 in cash 2 weeks ago .... and hope for the best.

    My first two course books are on their way to me.

    At the very least, I'll learn from the courses I go though.

    As I stated (one woman) called me about one item not filled out but I have also had three of their advisor's call to welcome me and let me know if I had any questions or problems they will assist.

    I can say that they are not a 'pay for a degree' mill.

    You have to study, take tests, write essays and produce a final and a thesis for your masters so they do make you work for it.

    Well I hope for the best. I am sure other on-line colleges/universities that are now legitimate had to start some where and did not open their doors with instant sanctioned accreditation, right?

    I did see the WAUC and thought it was BS but possibly they are using it as a stepping stone to a real accreditation?

    I know, I know too optemistic...lol.
     
  11. bgossett

    bgossett New Member

    Madison appeared on the internet approximately three years ago, a self-purported university offering degrees at all levels in many fields. This apparition was apparently accomplished with no history at all of any previous existence. Other unusual features included no physical address or indication of its location or source of degree granting authority. There was also no mention of faculty. Three years on and there is still no address and no faculty.

    Ms_iron, you do not mention previous academic experience. Were you granted credit for life/work experience? If so, how much and in what manner were you required to document it? You mention embarking on your first two courses; do you have the names of the faculty who will be guiding your studies? What about their credentials?

    The WAUC accreditation, seemingly present from the outset, speaks for itself. Fake accreditation serves only to dupe the naive. Rather than being a stepping stone to legitimate accreditation, it's an ethical obstacle.
     
  12. ms_iron

    ms_iron New Member

    I really appreciate all the replies.

    bgossett, yes they do grant for life/work experience but not what one might think. They say it is reviewed and determined by the content of your Student Orientation Application form.

    For me 46 years in life, some (certifications) with documentation....
    relevant to the the degree I seek, 25 years of self employment (with proof of tax returns, since there is no outside employer to send inquiry to) and any awards etc... seemed to entitle me to 30 credits. But I will not know the exact allowance until my student package arrives this next week.

    Their Bachelors degree runs 8 courses at 6 credits per and the BS Final is worth 12.

    Then the added Masters degree is 5 courses at 6 credits per with a final Thesis worth 12 which can be substituted with 2 other classes. Total 42 credits for the Masters. It was 36 but they increased it.

    You are correct I have not seen any Professor, Instructor information yet.

    Separate from the first 2 books I am awaiting arrival of, I also have a student package coming this week.

    I will keep you informed as to what is in there. If I do not see any instructor information, I will ask them who my instructor is and let you know what they say.
     
  13. drwetsch

    drwetsch New Member

    My recommendation on Madison is to stay away, stay far away...

    As Dr. Bear noted on the disservice of the BBB. IMHO it should be noted that graduates would not want to complain because then their Madison degree would be made known. Only if Madison didn't deliver on sending the diploma and providing its services would complaints more than likely be lodged.

    John
     
  14. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    Hello ms iron, welcome aboard. I'm afraid I have nothing positive to say about this outfit. Just a few bits of advice, mostly out of my own experience wasting money and time.

    Don't overlook your own BS detector--your instincts were right about WAUC; wishful thinking can be a bad influence.

    Don't send them any more money, whatever you do.

    The course totals you list are not commensurate with the course totals for any normal bachelor's degree, tho the master's totals are superficially in line with what is common. Making you do *some* work is a way of fooling you into thinking the degree is "real", and that you're not just buying a degree. Sadly, unless you yourself are trying to scam, this shafts you two ways: you pay money and do unrecognizable work.

    What to do? Join the club. Some of the most illustrious (?) posters on this board have wasted time and money on dopey schools--and learned from the experience. It's a bitter pill to swallow, but do your best to move on. Remember that even if you can't get your money back you need not squander what is more precious: your time and emotional energy. You are now doing what will stand you in good stead in the future: asking questions that run against the grain of *their* sales pitch and *your* wishful thinking. This is not easy, but I guarantee that it will pay off.

    Best wishes to you. Don't hesitate to bring more questions to the discussion--using your own experience to help yourself and inform others.
     
  15. ms_iron

    ms_iron New Member

    Thank you all again.

    I am sure that trying getting my $$ back at this point would be a waste of time. So what I intend to do is learn as much as possible from this.


    I do have a question though that possibly someone could answer.

    Why can a place like like the University of Florida - Distance Learning (I am enrolled in a class there too) 3 credits and a real Professor, so it says... charge $500 for this and every course worth 3 credits...

    BUT

    a place like Madison U have the same structured course, questions, essays, work involved and out come, as far as a degree......yet NOT rape you in price???

    In real life, forget this accrediting organization and that one, why is one valid and the other is not?

    Putting in hard work, studies, tests etc, I would never be ashamed to say I got my degree at Madison, I would feel like I learned and EARNED it.

    I had to chuckle at your statement of 'wishful thinking'... so true of me. :D

    I will report back and thank you again.
     
  16. seekinghelp

    seekinghelp New Member

    You seem to have a very positive outlook about this but I would recommend you at least attempt to see about getting a refund since you have yet to receive anything from them. Once you have materials in your hands you may definately be out of luck.

    This school is, in fact, a sham. I know their materials are slick, I am in possession of their information as well because when I started this quest, I knew nothing about accreditation either. Couldn't tell the real thing from the unreal thing.

    If you are going to put forth the effort, as you say, you should at least end up with a legitimate degree, you won't have one from these folks.
     

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