Vision International College & University (Religious)

Discussion in 'Accreditation Discussions (RA, DETC, state approva' started by jek2839, Aug 22, 2005.

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  1. jek2839

    jek2839 New Member

    I found a reasonably priced International Christian College and I am wondering if the Vision International College and University (Vision International Education Network) is a legit educational establishment?


    www.vision.edu


    (Copied from the above Vision website)

    ACCREDITATION:

    Australian Accreditation: Vision Christian College of Australia, a division of Vision International University, is accredited by VETAB (Vocational Education and Training Accrediting Board) in New South Wales, Australia, and authorized to issue awards up to the Advanced Diploma level. VETAB is a government recognized educational accrediting body in Australia, Canada, and all of the British Commonwealth nations.


    NSW Vocational Education & Training Accreditation Board
    Level 14, 1 Oxford Street Darlinghurst NSW 2010
    Locked Bag 21 Darlinghurst NSW 1300
    Phone: (02) 9244 5335
    Fax: (02) 9244 5344


    BAHAMAS Approval: Vision International College is approved by the Ministry of Education of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas through the Bachelors degree.

    Ministry of Education of the Bahamas
    P.O. Box N-3913/4
    Island of New Providence, Bahamas
    Phone: (242) 322-8140 / 9
    Fax: (242)322-8491


    NIGERIAN Approval: Vision International College, a division of Vision International University, has been approved as an institution of higher education by the Federal Ministry of Education of Nigeria.

    Federal Ministry of Education, Nigeria
    Federal Secretariat, Phase 2 (3rd Floor)
    Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja
    Tel 09-5232800


    UNITED STATES Authorization: Vision is authorized to grant degrees by exemption by the Department of Consumer Affairs, State of California, and has authorization to grant degrees by exemption in Florida and Louisiana. Vision is not accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency.


    PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

    1)
    Vision International University is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International. ACSI has approved Vision International College, a college of Vision International University, for students completing the Bible Course requirements for teacher certification. Further, students completing the B.A. in Education are eligible for provisional certification as a Christian Teacher.

    2)
    Vision International University is a member of the Apostolic Council for Educational Accountability.


    MINISTERIAL PARTNERSHIPS:

    1) San Diego City Church Ministries
    2) The International School of Ministry
    3) Assemblies of God International Fellowship
    4) Harvestime International Network
    5) Harvest International Ministerial Fellowship
    6) Calvary Ministries International
    7) Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches


    TABOR COLLEGE AUSTRALIA:

    Tabor College offers Government-accredited courses in Australia. These courses have been approved by the State Government of South Australia as accredited courses under the VEET Act, 1994. This means that these courses have been assessed by professional educators and deemed to be of equivalent standing to similar courses offered by other recognized tertiary institutions, and that they satisfy the national accreditation principles and lead to qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Tabor College accepts substantial transfer credit from Vision International College & University into its degree programs.

    *************

    CHRISTIAN DEGREE PROGRAMS - Students are encouraged not to be unduly pressured to complete the Degree Program by a certain time. Actually, it is best to pursue training at a relaxed yet steady rate and accompany it with continuous vocation. Thus, as training moves toward culmination, the student will also grow in a vocation. To ensure that each Vision student receives a well-rounded, sound biblical education, each student is required to complete a recommended program of study. To complete the 120 credit Bachelor program, the student must choose from one (1) of the four (4) areas listed below. For the Bachelors in Education, the requirements are 124 credit hours.


    VISION DEGREE PROGRAMS:
    New- Online Domestic Violence Specialist Certificate Programs!

    B.T.S. (Completion) - Bachelor of Theological Studies/Christian Ministry
    -Certificate IV (VCC Australia)
    -Diploma (VCC Australia)
    -Advanced Diploma (VCC Australia)
    -Christian Business Management
    -Christian Counseling
    -Chaplaincy
    -Christian Education
    -Christian Leadership
    -Women's Ministry
    -Worship Ministry


    M.T.S. - Master of Theological Studies
    -Theology
    -Christian Education
    -Christian Counseling
    -Christian Leadership


    M.Div. - Master of Divinity


    D.Min. - Doctor of Ministry
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 22, 2005
  2. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    I'm guessing the most relevant part of all this might just be: NOT ACCREDITED BY A U. S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPROVED ACCREDITING AGENCY.
     
  3. DesElms

    DesElms New Member

    Yeah, I noticed that, too. I just assumed it was a disclaimer either required by the state, or required by the USDE-approved accreditor to which Vision's planning on applying, or to which it has already applied but can't talk about it.

    Either way, the first thing I noticed about it was that it wasn't accredited; and absent that -- and/or absent a compelling reason to dig deeper despite it -- I guess I just dismissed it... in much the same way as I typically dismiss many of the probably legitimate and credible (but nevertheless unaccredited) bible colleges and seminaries floating around out there... especially if they're kinda' fundie in the first place.

    It's funny, too, 'cause I was just looking at the Vision web site the other night.
     
  4. George Brown

    George Brown Active Member

    I have had some very congenial and interesting discussions with Vision International University's Director of Online Learning, Joshua Reichard. Intitially I found their accreditation statement very confusing and we worked on it together to make it a little clearer. Communication with him earlier this year indicated that they were seeking State Approval in California (they currently have religious exemption anyway) and then will seek DETC accreditation which will take approx 2 years.

    Their accrediation in New South Wales is valid and approved up to Advanced Diploma level. All of their degree granting approval is through affiliated organisations such as Tabor which is a recognised higher education provider. I am happy to put you in touch with Joshua if you would like more details.

    Cheers,

    George
     
  5. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    Vision:
    "Vision is authorized to grant degrees by exemption by the Department of Consumer Affairs, State of California..."
    ----------------------------------------

    Gee, George, how was this worded before it got clarified. Seems to me that what they are saying is that because they are religious, the state cannot regulate them, and therefore, because they are exempt, the state is authorizing them to grant degrees, because the state can't tell them not to grant degrees which is tantamount to saying they can grant degrees, which is comparable to authorization, because . . . well, because everything not forbidden is mandatory. Or something.
     
  6. Lerner

    Lerner Well-Known Member

    Are they GAAP?

    If they have multiple accreditations its good but are thery GAAP?

    Learner
     
  7. JamesK

    JamesK New Member

    Vision Christian College of Australia would be, but only up the Advanced Diploma level (roughly equivalent to an associate degree). Note however that I do not believe they are considered to be a higher education provider.
     
  8. George Brown

    George Brown Active Member

    You are quite correct, James. They are deemed to be a VET providers in Australia, and this is where the confusion lay re- wording in their accreditation statement.

    Now, John, perhaps you would like to do to the neighbourly thing and advise them of their statement re-California. Considering they are on your patch, it might be a nice thing to do, no?

    Cheers,

    George
     

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