Mr. Contreras - This is what you should be fighting!!!!

Mr. Contreras,

Although I understand your initiative and value that what you seek to do with schools means well, I feel that you have still chosen to place " improper ' negative actions on your " list ' for some legitimate schools simply because THEY choose to stay in a lower price point to distinguish themselves from the massive competition. You do know what few State Approved legitimate schools I am referring to. Again, if they chose to go the ADDITIONAL accredited route, they too would raise their tuition costs to be in colaboration with other schools of the same stature...you know, fighting for the Federal loans and dollars.

What I suggest that you do is TEST schools to see if they require a respectful amount of coursework and require pre-requisites to be enrolled into their programs. I KNOW that you have not done this because a simple few would not be on your LISt the way you word them. Again, this is coming from a typical American citizen that is probably very much similar to about 99% of our country's population of educational seeking individuals.

It doesnt take long to do a test on schools to see if they are giving extreme PLA credits and or basically SELLING a degree for money. Here is a example of what you should look out for below. I received this OFFER after providing quite a bit of transcripts and info., but nonetheless, would not be a contributor to adding one of these USELESS credentials to my name.

 

Too many charaters.. Here is a continual from above.

Thank you for submitting your application to AED for our consideration.
After thoroughly reviewing and verifying your AED Report and other
submitted
information, our Office of Admissions is pleased to announce that you
have
been approved for the degree:

Master of Business Administration in Business Administration

Final approval will be granted upon the receipt of payment in full of
all
graduation fees.

Your AED Portfolio was submitted to several schools for consideration.
The
schools below have reported your results to us. Please read below to
learn
which schools have found your education levels to be equivalent to
college
credit.

If you wish to accept any or all of these degrees, follow the links
below.

Not all schools report results to AED, so you may receive result
letters
directly from additional schools as well.

In addition, some schools prefer that you apply to them directly (not
through AED). These schools are listed at the bottom of this report,
should
you want to apply to them.

Thank you for submitting your application. If you have further
questions,
please contact your AED counselor by return email, or refer to each
school's
website.


_____________________________________________________

ROBERTSTOWN UNIVERSITY www.robertstownuniversity.ac

Click here to accept your degree:
https://www.marketrends.net/advanced/robertstown_paysite/fp_pa.html

The results of your AED Portfolio Assessment have resulted in
sufficient
credit to fulfill the graduation requirements to be granted the
following
degree (s)

High School Diploma:


Associate's:


Bachelor's:


Master's: X


Doctorate:


Certifications:


Evaluation Criteria: Findings: Accredited

Comments: Robertstown University is Nationally Accredited (NA). Most
employers, the military and other agencies require such recognition as
proof
of validity of the degree.

Robertstown University has completed all accreditation requirements
and
received formal recognition by the Higher Education Commissioner of the
Education Ministry of Liberia as a legal, valid and authentic
university,
operating under the authority and in conformity with all current laws
and
regulations ruling educational competency certification of the Republic
of
Liberia.

Requirements . No further courses required

. Admission exam not required

. No need to appear for examinations

. You have qualified for the above degrees abased on the results of
your AED
Portfolio Assessment.

Thesis Required YES X NO

Admission Date . Open Academic session.

. Admissions open throughout the year.

Program Fee/Price: Low Based on evaluation. - Click Here for fee
schedule:
https://www.marketrends.net/advanced/robertstown_paysite/fp_pa.html

Equivalency: The equivalency of Robertstown University degrees to US
RA
degrees has been established and attested by several recognized
agencies
including members of AACRAO (The American Association of Collegiate
Registrars and Admissions Officers) and NAFSA (The Association of
International Educators). A report of equivalency by a recognized US
evaluation agency can be included (PLUS five free career consultations)
by
selecting the Deluxe Graduation Package for an additional $350.

Recognition of Non-Traditional Education: 100% recognition of
experiential learning, prior learning, independent study. Credit can be
earned through documented portfolio assessment of career experience and
independent study, or through supervised research programs, transfer
from
other approved institutes of higher learning and/or coursework.

Degree Format: Degrees documents are identical to those issued for
classroom
learning.

Student Support: Availability of 24/7 support. Degrees may be verified
24/7
through the Registrar Office of Robertstown University to their
prospective/current employers or whosoever requires it as well as
through
OTAC

Degree Shipment Time: Upon acceptance documents can usually be
shipped
within 2 weeks.

Special Advantages: Robertstown University having all advantages
shown,
also enjoys the advantage of being very affordable. Although fees may
increase in the near future, it is currently the most affordable school
that
AED has found that meets all of criteria (being legal, licensed,
accredited
and accepts AED portfolio assessment results for college credit.

Student Rating: On a scale of 1 to 10 (where 10 is the best), the
following
ratings have been assigned to Robertstown University on the basis of
the
comments provided by different graduates of the university: 8.85

Web Address: www.robertstownuniversity.ac

Click here now to accept your Robertstown University Degree:
https://www.marketrends.net/advanced/robertstown_paysite/fp_pa.html

________________________________________________________________

ST.REGIS UNIVERSITY http://saintregis.edu.lr
Click here to accept your degree:
http://www.saintregisedu.org/paysite/fp_pa.html

The results of your AED Portfolio Assessment have resulted in
sufficient
credit to fulfill the graduation requirements to be granted the
following
degree (s)

High School Diploma:


Associate's:


Bachelor's:


Master's: X


Doctorate:


Certifications:


Evaluation Criteria: Findings: Accredited

Comments: St. Regis University is Nationally Accredited (NA). Most
employers, the military and other agencies require such recognition as
proof
of validity of the degree.

St. Regis University has completed all accreditation requirements and
received formal recognition by the Higher Education Commissioner of the
Education Ministry of Liberia as a legal, valid and authentic
university,
operating under the authority and in conformity with all current laws
and
regulations ruling educational competency certification of the Republic
of
Liberia.

Requirements: . No further courses required

. Admission exam not required

. No need to appear for examinations

. You have qualified for the above degrees abased on the results of
your AED
Portfolio Assessment.

Thesis Required YES X NO

Admission Date . Open Academic session.

. Admissions open throughout the year.

Program Fee/Price: Low/Moderate Based on evaluation. - Click Here for
fee
schedule: http://www.saintregisedu.org/paysite/fp_pa.html

Equivalency: The equivalency of St. Regis University degrees to US RA
degrees has been established and attested by several recognized
agencies
including members of AACRAO (The American Association of Collegiate
Registrars and Admissions Officers) and NAFSA (The Association of
International Educators). A report of equivalency by a recognized US
evaluation agency can be included (PLUS five free career consultations)
by
selecting the Deluxe Graduation Package for an additional $350.

Recognition of Non-Traditional Education 100% recognition of
experiential
learning, prior learning, independent study. Credit can be earned
through
documented portfolio assessment of career experience and independent
study,
or through supervised research programs, transfer from other approved
institutes of higher learning and/or coursework.

Degree Format: Degrees documents are identical to those issued for
classroom learning.

Student Support: Availability of 24/7 support. Degrees may be verified
24/7
through the Registrar Office of St. Regis University to their
prospective/current employers or whosoever requires it as well as
through
OTAC

Degree Shipment Time: Upon acceptance documents can usually be shipped
within 2 weeks.

Special Advantages: St. Regis University having all advantages shown,
also
enjoys the advantage of being very well established with licensed and
accredited headquarters in both Liberia and India. St Regis University
is
also scheduled for publication in the UNESCO Handbook of Universities
and
enjoys many memberships such as Worldwide Classroom,Computer Society of
India. GEO General Education Online, and Braintrack.
St. Regis also has an Online Alumni Forum that grads can join where to
meet,
chat, discuss and network with one another. SRU is active in
Humanitarian
issues, having collected nearly 2 million Liberia dollars which was
donated
to special scholarships and equipment for war torn Liberia's Africa
Methodist Episcopal University.

SRU degrees have been evaluated by countess recognized foreign
evaluation
agencies as equivalent to US regionally accredited degrees and have
accepted
by military, for teaching certifications, nursing designations and much
more.

Student Rating: On a scale of 1 to 10 (where 10 is the best), the
following
ratings have been assigned to St. Regis University on the basis of the
comments provided by different graduates of the university: 9.25

Web Address http://saintregis.edu.lr
Click here now to accept you St. Regis University Degree:
http://www.saintregisedu.org/paysite/fp_pa.html

_______________________________________________________________
JAMES MONROE UNIVERSITY www.jmuniversity.ac
Accept degrees at
http://www.university-services.net/jamesmonroe/fp_pa.html

The results of your AED Portfolio Assessment have resulted in
sufficient
credit to fulfill the graduation requirements to be granted the
following
degree (s)

High School Diploma:


Associate's:


Bachelor's:


Master's: X


Doctorate:


Certifications:

 

A little more!!

Evaluation Criteria: Findings: Accredited

Comments: James Monroe University is Nationally Accredited (NA). Most
employers, the military and other agencies require such recognition as
proof
of validity of the degree.
James Monroe University has completed all accreditation requirements
and
received formal recognition by the Higher Education Commissioner of the
Education Ministry of Liberia as a legal, valid and authentic
university,
operating under the authority and in conformity with all current laws
and
regulations ruling educational competency certification of the Republic
of
Liberia.

Requirements . No further courses required
. Admission exam not required
. No need to appear for examinations
. You have qualified for the above degrees abased on the results of
your AED
Portfolio Assessment.

Thesis Required YES X NO

Admission Date . Open Academic session.
. Admissions open throughout the year.

Program Fee/Price: Moderate Based on evaluation. - Click Here for fee
schedule: http://www.university-services.net/jamesmonroe/fp_pa.html

Equivalency: The equivalency of James Monroe University degrees to US
RA
degrees has been established and attested by several recognized
agencies
including members of AACRAO (The American Association of Collegiate
Registrars and Admissions Officers) and NAFSA (The Association of
International Educators). A report of equivalency by a recognized US
evaluation agency can be included (PLUS five free career consultations)
by
selecting the Deluxe Graduation Package for an additional $350.

Recognition of Non-Traditional Education: 100% recognition of
experiential
learning, prior learning, independent study. Credit can be earned
through
documented portfolio assessment of career experience and independent
study,
or through supervised research programs, transfer from other approved
institutes of higher learning and/or coursework.

Degree Format: Degrees documents are identical to those issued for
classroom learning.

Student Support: Availability of 24/7 support.
Degrees may be verified 24/7 through the Registrar Office of James
Monroe
University to their prospective/current employers or whosoever requires
it
as well as through OTAC

Degree Shipment Time: Upon acceptance documents can usually be
shipped
within 2 weeks.

Special Advantages: James Monroe University having all advantages
shown,
also enjoys the advantage of not being advertised or promoted as an
online
as a "life experience" university. Although they do grant degrees based
on
the AED portfolio assessment and by other alternative methods of
measuring
prior learning, their website does not mention this. Some applicants
prefer
this school because employers who to not possess enough knowledge of
online
degrees may not immediately accept them. Although this can be overcome,
some
qualifying applicants choose to graduate from a school that does not
advertise or mention that they accept prior learning or "experience"
for
college credit.

Student Rating: On a scale of 1 to 10 (where 10 is the best), the
following
ratings have been assigned to James Monroe University on the basis of
the
comments provided by different graduates of the university: 9.95

Web Address www.jmuniversity.ac
Click here now to accept you James Monroe University Degree:
http://www.university-services.net/jamesmonroe/fp_pa.html

 

And a little more of my input on this..

Hey, I can choose to be awarded a Doctoral degree... WIll you call me doctor? how about can I pay to have it apostled to be legit. Sure.. And can you give me a 4.0 GPA for a extra $350.00 or so.

Mr. Contreras, This is what you should be researching...Not placing a " Degree Mill " name on a school approved by a State of the United States. I maybe can understand that you may want to place some standards on certain criteria for such a vast economically contributed state of Oregon and I agree that someone should and it is great to see steps taken. But I think it is fair to say that you should RESEARCH schools before placing names like ' Degree Mill " on them.

Sorry to be sooo blunt, but some of this kind of Degree Mill stuff has gone too far. I have just shown you a prime example of a REAL degree mill, with no work. Not a long-term State-Approved University that chooses to stay under the very same Approval that it was granted so many years ago. Just my take and probably the take by many others as well.

 

I am not talking about KW either.

I am not talking about KW either.

 

disgusting!

when did they send you this?

disgusting.

 

recently.. They took all of about 3 days to grant a masters degree with apparently the option of adding additional credentials for additional fees.

This.. My friends, is a DEGREE MILL!!!. not a school ( or at least majority of ) approved by a State of our great country.

Again, the State of Oregon ( or should i say Mr. Contreras ), who is and would be held ultimately accountable, should learn to really research and do a " Secret Shopper " test before listing schools as " Degree Mills ".

This is just a BIG example.

 

mill mill twice twice

The ODA site had labelled Saint Regis as a "diploma mill diploma mill." Though this was probably just a typo, it was amusing to see how emphatically the ODA page seemed to be making its point point.

G

 

Hi JNelson,

Great Post!!!

I agree with 100% that ODA needs to do much more research before listing schools as Diploma or Degree Mill.

Sad thing I think is that ODA has jumped the gun.

I am waiting to see the outcome of KW law suit, and i hope KW wins it.

Migara

 

Do you want KW to win because you don't like the Oregon process, or because you think KW should be treated as though it were a legitimate university?

 

Hmmmm...

Interesting. It seems to me, Oregon is doing exactly what it should. They are effectively and efficently using the resources available to them. Any school not happy with their listing has options. Most would do well to start with changing their substandard programs and looking at how they can gain accreditation. Certainly if NCU and ACCIS can gain accreditation, any worthy school given a little time should also be able to.

The other issue that I find amusing is how many people see it as their position to tell Alan what his job is. If I were him, I would conintue to listen my supervisor. I believe it is also evident from the nation-wide attention the ODA has received they are doing an excellent job.

 

st regis hopeless

I was the first person to say it is important to reserve judgement on classifying a school as a diploma mill. I was also careful to mention if a Government recognizes a school other countries should NOT call them a degree mill.

But after reading the link posted and clicking it on myself; i have to re-evaluate my thinking on this particular school. This is so horrible. I don't think any government in the world knows about and approves this.

It seems to me that maybe St Regis pretends to have Liberian Government approval but they probably do not have.

No government would risk the seriousness of education in this fashion.

 

Re: st regis hopeless

Hmmm...

I don't find it hard to believe that a third world country in the middle of a civil war would have an official willing to sell their approval for $50,000. I wonder what Liberia's annual average income was 2 years ago? $200? Less?

 

To All,

My comments on this site are a rarity and did some minimal monitoring of the site while on deployment in IRaq over the last couple of months. I still intend to remain in the background for the most part.

Mr. Hayden,

I respectfully disagree with you and we will certaintly have to agree to disagree from what I can surmise from your comments.

While, I too feel, Mr. Contrerras is trying to do the good thing in exposing degree mills and ensuring that educational credentials are legitimate for use in his state, the problem arises when he improperly lists a school as a degree mill. Yes, many would say that the agrieved institution has some amount of redress by proving that they are not such an institution to the ODA administratively. Unfortunately, however, by that time, the damage has been done, not only to the institution but to anyone who has proffered their credentials to an employer from that institution. I agree with Mr. Nelson tha Mr. Contrerras must ensure that an institution has acted in a fashion that indicates degree mill behavior and maintain the evidence use to derive that determination. Mr. Contrerras holds a position of trust in the Oregon State Government, and it seems that not only he, but his chain-of-command are willing to shield themselves behind innocent mistake or respondent superior doctrines. I would have to say that the process, not the intention, is flawed. I am not in support for or have any vested interest any single institution present on the ODA list; just someone who is interested in government doing the RIGHT THING in the PROPER MANNER. While I watch the K-W case with interest, my main concern is that the courts identify and, hopefully, correct the process used by ODA in placing a particular institution on their degree-mill list. Whether K-W is a degree-mill or not, will be left up to the court to decide and even if it is so identified as a mill, its the process that should really be on trial. Clearing, or not clearing, K-W must be of secondary importance.

Ernie741

 

so are we all snakes.

Sir:

Nicaragua was under civil war for a very long time; did you see anyone take $50 thousand american dollars and do something so horrible? How about El Salvador? Honduras?

Civil war is no excuse to PUBLICLY sell University Operating Licenses.

Colombia is still under civil war and you see nothing of this sort.

I have read where St Regis does not have Liberian Government approval; they must be pretending to have it.

I still don't believe that any Government would do this is a public fashion, since this type of news is around the world.

If somehow, St Regis does have a real permit from the Government......................well we all know the story.

 

Good post.

 

Thank you to all who UNDERSTAND what I am saying

Tahnk you Uncle Jenko for understanding what i am saying. I may have come across a little harsh, but what I am showing you is what a REAL DEGREE MILL is.

We tend to classify various schools into the same category for many reasons, but I think that placing any of the State Approved schools that DO require much academic work as a DEGREE MILL term is totally wrong. You can call them sub-standard, or better yest - Not accredited, but State approved. call them what they are.

My examples above, and I urge to check them out, are three schools that granted a masters degree in less than 3 days and I have the option of adding ingredients to my diploma. 4.0 GPA, magna cum laude or hell...upgrade to a Doctoral for a additional charge. And by the way.. for a mear 1200.00 US, I can have it legalized.

That is a DEGREE MILL.

What Oregon should do in at least all fairness is list the schools as State approved in " whatever state " on the list. But do not imbellish a DEGREE MILL title on them simply becasue they have yet to seek a voluntary accreditation of some sort.

James Monroe, Robertstown and St. regis are....DEGREE MILLS!!! and the proof is 6 posts above.

 

Publishing accurate information will help the ODA achieve excellence in addition to notoriety already achieved.

Dave

 

I have really got to learn to proof read my spelling ...Sorry

.

 

Dave, I agree completely... I jsut feel that they should be careful how they word and list schools.. If anything, maybe list them as State-approved in "_______"

PS...I really appreciate the great conversation we had a few days ago over the phone. I know you are busy. It was much appreciated. I will let you know what I decide...I will tell you I am very much leading into enrolling in the program simply due to cost and knowing I will receive actual feedback on the coursework..That should be worth it in itself.