NA grads go on to RA grad schools

When we discussion National Accreditors and their schools on Degreeinfo, we usually focus upon DETC, ACICS, ATS, TRACS and a couple of others. Here's one about the AALE.

Southern Virginia University is a small (500 student) liberal arts university accredited by the American Academy of Liberal Education (AALE). It has been in operation for about 7 years and graduated its first students a few years ago.

Recent graduates of Southern Virginia U. have been accepted into graduate programs at University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Pittsburgh, Idaho State University, Rutgers University, Brigham Young University, Utah State University, Wake Forest University, Florida State University, George Washington University, Rutgers University, University of Illinois, University of Nevada Las Vegas and Old Dominion University.

Tony Pina
Faculty, Cal State U. San Bernadino

 

That's pretty cool. Personally, one of the things I find interesting about this school, is that a friend (who is Mormon) was seriously considering it for his undergrad education (he ultimately decided on USU). He had talked to a couple of Utah schools (both listed in the Tony Pina's post) and they both knew of it and accepted it as equivalent to RA for grad study admission purposes. I also believe that it (Southern Virginia University) has a course transfer agreement with BYU.
Also, one of the things that is interesting about AALE, is that, although they are an institutional accreditor, with some schools they have taken on a program accrediting role, not unlike ATS. LOL. At least I find that interesting.

Tony

 

Even though Southern Virginia is not affiliated with the LDS church, the vast majority of the student body is Mormon, so it's encouraging to see SVU students transferring to so many non-Mormon schools. As nationally accredited schools amass this kind of track record, we may actually see the chasm between RA and NA closing.

Tony (the Mormon one)

 

And then there's Patrick Henry College, a TRACS candidate and preaccredited by AALE.

PHC just held its third graduation ceremony. According to PHC, every student who has applied to law school has been accepted, most to first tier law schools, like Georgetown University and University of Virginia.

 

I had thought that PHC had already been accredited, but I see from the AALE website that they are preaccredited. This kind of successful record will obviously help PHC in its bid for full accreditation.

Tony

 

Hi Tony. I think that AALE is very interesting and I'm glad to hear that SVU is doing well.

Do you think that these graduate schools accept SVU graduates as a matter of general policy or is it a special-admissions thing?

Also, do you think that this success is more a function of SVU the school, or AALE the accreditor?

 

Interesting. This is off the SVU web site:

LDS folks must be at the helm.

Nice school with reasonable tuition. Looks like a beautiful campus.

 

Re: Re: NA grads go on to RA grad schools

It appears to be a combination of both. SVU grads were admitted into masters programs (and in a couple of cases, law schools) before they received AALE accreditation. This was done on a case-by-case (special admission) basis and was a function of SVU the school. Also, SVU set up an articulation agreement with BYU a couple of years ago, so that accounts for some grads as well.

Given that more graduates have been accepted into several different schools since AALE accreditation was achieved, I am certain that the status of AALE as a accreditor has played (and currently plays) a significant role.

Being preaccredited and then accredited by AALE allowed SVU students to access federal financial aid, which was also critical to the continued success of the school.

I understand that SVU is now working toward regional accreditation through SACS, but, as a liberal arts school, they plan to continue active membership with AALE.

Tony Pina
Faculty, Cal State U. San Bernardino

 

It's an interesting story. It used to be a private women's college, that was in danger of losing its accreditation and being shut down, due to decreasing enrollment and increasing debt. A group of LDS educators and business leaders offered to buy the school and pay off all the debts if the school could be re-designed to serve the LDS community in the east. The trustees agreed and ownership changed hands in 1996.

I visted the school about a year and a half ago. It is quite a beautiful (but small) campus. They have about 160 acres of land, but are currently using only a small portion. Enrollment is less than 600, but has grown significantly during the past 5 years. I believe that their goal is to triple the current enrollment, but they will need to do some significant building construction to accomplish that goal.

Although it is not a church-sponsored school, over 90% of the students are LDS and about 75-80% of the faculty/staff are as well. The former President of the University, who recently passed away, was a good friend of mine.

Tony Pina
Faculty, Cal State U. San Bernardino