American Graduate University

Discussion in 'Accreditation Discussions (RA, DETC, state approva' started by SteveFoerster, Feb 3, 2006.

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  1. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    I haven't seen mention of this one, but I saw an ad for them in the subway this morning so I went to their site to have a look.

    American Graduate University talks an AWFUL lot about accreditation, and how they're "fully accredited" even though their accreditation is DETC.

    For example, at http://www.agu.edu/about_agu.html they say, "The most important question you can ask about institutions offering professional training and higher-education programs is whether or not they are accredited." Well, gee, actually, I'd say that "accredited by whom?" is also a pretty important question.

    They continue: "Full accreditation distinguishes American Graduate University from unaccredited education providers, which are appearing in growing numbers in the professional-education market."

    Now, it's not like that's a lie. But at the same time it's not exactly the whole truth either. Reminds me of Clinton's strident "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky!"

    They trumpet their accreditation again on their FAQ page at http://www.agu.edu/faq.html just to drive the point home a little more.

    On that same FAQ page, I was also unimpressed that they say, "AGU offers three graduate degree programs: Master of Acquisition Management, Master of Contract Management, Master of Project Management, and Master of Business Administration." Um, dude, that's four.

    If you want to be a DETC accredited grad school, fine. But just because you made the majors doesn't mean you're not still a benchwarmer, and you shouldn't carry yourself off as a hall of famer. (Sorry non-North Americans, it's a baseball reference. "You may have won the election, but you're still a backbencher and you shouldn't carry yourself as the PM" might be an equivalent metaphor.)

    -=Steve=-
     
    SteveFoerster, Feb 3, 2006
    #1
  2. morleyl

    morleyl New Member

    What exactly is your point? Are you implying that DETC is not full accreditation?
     
    morleyl, Feb 5, 2006
    #2
  3. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    DETC is legitimate accreditation. And, besides, AGU has every right to blow their own horn on their own website.
     
    Ted Heiks, Feb 5, 2006
    #3
  4. morleyl

    morleyl New Member

    I guess the post is an RA or no way type. My personal view is that DETC accreditation is better for quality than the RA ones. The RA ones have better recognition but not necessarily garantee for quality.
     
    morleyl, Feb 5, 2006
    #4
  5. chydenius

    chydenius New Member

    caveat discipulus

    The problem with the use of the term "fully accredited" with regard to the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) is that many prospective students do not know to ask whether the credits that they earn are easy to transfer.

    While one expects that DETC does a stellar job overseeing Gemological Institute of America, Hypnosis Motivation Institute, National Tax Training School, et.al., there are not many graduate programs in Management listed among their Accredited Institutions:

    http://www.detc.org/Post_Sec.html

    I stipulate that regional accreditation is not a prerequisite to quality. Most non-US universities are not regionally accredited, and many of those are fine institutions. One need not be accredited, in order to prepare students for the CLEP and DANTES exams, the scores of which can be used for college credit. There are even some unaccredited programs out there, like The Animation Academy, that help students develop portfolios that have real value.

    However, AGU's claim to being "fully accredited" is disingenuous. A fully accredited business school is accredited by AACSB and EQUIS.
     
    chydenius, Feb 16, 2006
    #5
  6. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    No, I'm not saying RA or no way here, although in the past I've advised people to stick with RA absent a compelling reason not to do so. Nor am I saying that a student at a DETC accredited institution won't learn anything; I know people who are satisfied with their DETC accredited programs. Nor do I expect people not to say good things about themselves on their own web sites. However, I find that trumpeting one's "full" accreditation when such accreditation will limit the transferability of credit earned is disingenuous and objectionable.

    -=Steve=-
     
    SteveFoerster, Feb 16, 2006
    #6
  7. chydenius

    chydenius New Member

    It's like being a little bit pregnant

    As it states in SACS's Advertising, Student Recruitment, and Representation of Accredited Status Guidelines, "The phrase 'fully accredited' should be avoided, since partial accreditation is not possible."

    I stand corrected with regard to my choice of terms concerning AACSB and EQUIS above.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 19, 2006
    chydenius, Feb 19, 2006
    #7
  8. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Re: It's like being a little bit pregnant

    Ah, but since the school in question isn't regionally accredited, they don't have to pay attention to what SACS has to suggest. ;)

    -=Steve=-
     
    SteveFoerster, Feb 19, 2006
    #8

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