Accredited Degree and Unaccredited degree at same level

Discussion in 'Accreditation Discussions (RA, DETC, state approva' started by potpourri, Nov 18, 2014.

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  1. potpourri

    potpourri New Member

    I have a friend who has an accredited MA degree and wants to do another Masters, but the school lacks accreditation e.g., national or regional.

    They asked me about it and I said that it will still be an unaccredited degree no matter what, but that it will be better weighed in the sense that they have an accredited degree at the same level.

    The friend asked me then if they were to pursue a Doctorate that is unaccredited what were my feelings? I stated that I think this would be more frowned upon since they don't have another Doctorate at the same level from an accredited school.

    Feedback, input, opinions?
     
  2. RAM PhD

    RAM PhD Member

    IMHO, the unaccredited MA will not be enhanced by the accredited MA. It would show that the holder of the degrees was able to do legitimate graduate level work in completing the accredited MA, but the unaccredited MA would have the same value regardless, that is, it is an unaccredited degree. The accredited MA will be viewed as legitimate, while the unaccredited MA will be viewed in lesser terms, and in many cases, it will be viewed as worthless.

    One most definitely does not want their highest level degree to be unaccredited, even if all prior degrees they hold are accredited. For example, if one holds a BA from UCLA, and five regionally accredited graduate degrees (eg, MA, MLS, MBA, MSW, MLA), then obtains an unaccredited doctorate, the doctorate WILL NOT be enhanced, look better, or be viewed more favorably because of the fully accredited BA and 5 graduate degrees.

    Feedback, input, opinions? For most people in most situations, unaccredited degrees ARE NOT the way to go.
     

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