Thread: Doctorate in Criminal Justice in a Unaccredited University

Hello, pardon my ingles, I am writing from Puerto Rico. I need you opinion on Atlantic International University, Pacific Western University and Preston University. At the moment I have a Masters in Justice Criminal in a RA University and desire to make a doctorate in Justice Criminal in a State-Approved or in a Unaccredited but legal university. Because in P.R. a legal degree can help me. Also my ingles is bad and these universities have programs in Spanish.









B.A. American University of Puerto Rico

M.A.Caribbean University of Puerto Rico

	Paralegals and Legal Assistants Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees One of a paralegal's most important tasks is helping lawyers prepare for closings, hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. Paralegals might investigate the facts of cases and ensure that all relevant information is considered. They also identify appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles, and other materials that are relevant to assigned cases. After they analyze and organize the information, paralegals may prepare written reports that attorneys use in determining how cases should be handled. If attorneys decide to file lawsuits on behalf of clients, paralegals may help prepare the legal arguments, draft pleadings and motions to be filed with the court, obtain affidavits, and assist attorneys during trials. Paralegals also organize and track files of all important case documents and make them available and easily accessible to attorneys. •Job opportunities are projected to be better-than-average with strong employment growth; however, competition for jobs is expected. •Formally trained, experienced paralegals should have the best employment opportunities. •Most entrants have an associate’s degree in paralegal studies, or a bachelor's degree in another field and a certificate in paralegal studies. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

The following information is from the 14th edition of Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning.

AIU - Appears to be a poor choice to me because they dishonestly claim fake accreditation. They claim degree granting authority through Hawaii so I suspect this is going to end (if it hasn't already) because Hawaii is currently viorously cleaning up these "unusual" arrangements.

PWU- I didn't look this one up. Just do a search on this forum. PWU has been discussed many times and it is seems that most people don't hold it in high regard. I believe that it has sometimes been called a degree mill.

Preston-It is in Wyoming which is a very popular place for degree mills to hang out. (This is my words, not from Bear's Guide.) They dishonestly claim fake accreditation.

I suggest that you reconsider your desire to get an unaccredited degree. Too many (the vast majority?) of these operations are flat out degree mills or borderline operations . Even if it appears that they are operating within the law today, as the laws are strengthened, they are put out of business or flee to a new jurisdiction with weak laws. (like Wyoming)

	American InterContinental University Online American InterContinental University AIU offers Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's degrees in all the following programs: business administration (MBA, marketing, finance, accounting, human resources, etc), criminal justice, computer science, information technology, healthcare administration, medical billing and coding, fine arts, and education. Special learning facilities include a learning resource center, art gallery, and computer labs. The school is regionally accredited, the most widely recognized accreditation. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

	Northeastern University Northeastern University Northeastern offers online Master’s Degrees in Accounting, Taxation, and Finance; MBA’s in Finance, General Business, Healthcare Mgmt, High Technology, Innovation Entrepreneurship, International Mgmt, Marketing, and Operations & Supply Chain Mgmt. The school is a prestigious, widely-recognized university in the U.S. It is regionally accredited, the most widely recognized form of accreditation. It also has programmatic accreditation for its business programs from AACSB. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

Hello, In the spirit of the holidays who knows where this new member can get a PHD dl with courses taught in Spanish? Have a peaceful holiday season. Hille

There are many totally legitimate universities with distance learning graduate degree programs throughout Latin America: Mexico, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Colombia.

I am 1000 km away from my book or files, and metaphorically as far from the right memory cells, so I can't be specific right now. Universad Estatal a Distancia. Is that one? Empresarial in Costa Rica. Universidad Autonoma de (what?) in Mexico. I'll stop trying now.

Pacific Western is legal in that it meets the state operational regulations/requirements of the states in which both it's schools reside (CA in HI). Since within the US, the states are the legal operating authority for granting degrees, a degree from a state registered/approved school is legal (with the exception of states that prevent usage of unaccredited school degrees, such as OR).

However, legal and the appropriateness of usage are two entirely different functions.

An unaccredited school will create limitations upon degree usage that will not be encountered with a Regionally Accredited program, such as transferability and meeting conditions where a US DOD recognized accredited school is required.

If the reason you are looking at state approved options is to short cut length of time/coursework required, you may be mistaken. Many posters on this board have stated that while significant coursework may have been completed in the attainment of a State Approved program, it’s utility is limited, or may not be fully recognized. You may be better off with TESC, or Laurie Miller’s program.

Bottom Line: Legal - but - limited usage; think it out before committing to a program that does not provide you what you are seeking.

Good Luck,

RJT

	Paralegals and Legal Assistants Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees One of a paralegal's most important tasks is helping lawyers prepare for closings, hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. Paralegals might investigate the facts of cases and ensure that all relevant information is considered. They also identify appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles, and other materials that are relevant to assigned cases. After they analyze and organize the information, paralegals may prepare written reports that attorneys use in determining how cases should be handled. If attorneys decide to file lawsuits on behalf of clients, paralegals may help prepare the legal arguments, draft pleadings and motions to be filed with the court, obtain affidavits, and assist attorneys during trials. Paralegals also organize and track files of all important case documents and make them available and easily accessible to attorneys. •Job opportunities are projected to be better-than-average with strong employment growth; however, competition for jobs is expected. •Formally trained, experienced paralegals should have the best employment opportunities. •Most entrants have an associate’s degree in paralegal studies, or a bachelor's degree in another field and a certificate in paralegal studies. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

Originally posted by RJT
Pacific Western is legal in that it meets the state operational regulations/requirements of the states in which both it's schools reside (CA in HI). Since within the US, the states are the legal operating authority for granting degrees, a degree from a state registered/approved school is legal (with the exception of states that prevent usage of unaccredited school degrees, such as OR).

However, legal and the appropriateness of usage are two entirely different functions.

An unaccredited school will create limitations upon degree usage that will not be encountered with a Regionally Accredited program, such as transferability and meeting conditions where a US DOD recognized accredited school is required.

If the reason you are looking at state approved options is to short cut length of time/coursework required, you may be mistaken. Many posters on this board have stated that while significant coursework may have been completed in the attainment of a State Approved program, it’s utility is limited, or may not be fully recognized. You may be better off with TESC, or Laurie Miller’s program.

Bottom Line: Legal - but - limited usage; think it out before committing to a program that does not provide you what you are seeking.

Good Luck,

RJT

Extremely balanced response regarding both the utility and limitations involved with earning a degree from an unaccredited school. Bravo.

I'm sure RJT meant "US DOE" (US Department of Education ) and not "US DOD" (US Department of Defense" when referring to recognized accreditation.

	George Washington University George Washington University GWU offers an online Bachelor’s Degree in Police Science; and Master’s Degrees in Education and Human Development, Paralegal Studies, Public Relations, Educational Technology Lead, MBA – Healthcare, and MPS in Security and Safety Leadership. GW University is a prestigious and well regarded school. Established in the heart of the nation's capital in 1821, GW provides innovative programs in more than 200 fields of study, including graduate certificate, master's and doctoral programs. Under the guidance of a world-renowned faculty, you will explore both theory and practice in courses that prepare you to meet the needs of an increasingly complex society. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

	Paralegals and Legal Assistants Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees One of a paralegal's most important tasks is helping lawyers prepare for closings, hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. Paralegals might investigate the facts of cases and ensure that all relevant information is considered. They also identify appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles, and other materials that are relevant to assigned cases. After they analyze and organize the information, paralegals may prepare written reports that attorneys use in determining how cases should be handled. If attorneys decide to file lawsuits on behalf of clients, paralegals may help prepare the legal arguments, draft pleadings and motions to be filed with the court, obtain affidavits, and assist attorneys during trials. Paralegals also organize and track files of all important case documents and make them available and easily accessible to attorneys. •Job opportunities are projected to be better-than-average with strong employment growth; however, competition for jobs is expected. •Formally trained, experienced paralegals should have the best employment opportunities. •Most entrants have an associate’s degree in paralegal studies, or a bachelor's degree in another field and a certificate in paralegal studies. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

Originally posted by Rich Douglas
I'm sure RJT meant "US DOE" (US Department of Education) and not "US DOD" (US Department of Defense" when referring to recognized accreditation.

Thank you, Rich. For a moment I thought the Feds had followed the example of Oregon and established the US Dept. of Degrees.
;)

Originally posted by Police
Hello, pardon my ingles, I am writing from Puerto Rico. I need you opinion on Atlantic International University, Pacific Western University and Preston University. At the moment I have a Masters in Justice Criminal in a RA University and desire to make a doctorate in Justice Criminal in a State-Approved or in a Unaccredited but legal university. Because in P.R. a legal degree can help me. Also my ingles is bad and these universities have programs in Spanish.


B.A. American University of Puerto Rico

M.A.Caribbean University of Puerto Rico

I am, at the moment, a bit confused. You claim a Masters degree in Criminal Justice from an RA university, yet you indicate that your Masters degree is from Carribbean University. While Carribbean University is indeed regionally accredited (Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools), it does not offer Masters degrees in Criminal Justice (or even a M.A. degree for that matter). Carribbean University offers only two Masters degrees, both of them in Education . The Bayamón campus offers a M.Ed. with a concentration in Education Administration and Supervision, and a M.Ed. with a concentration in Special Education . The Ponce campus offers only the M.Ed. with a concentration in Special Education . Could you please clarify this?

That having been said, there are many graduate distance learning degree programs available in Spanish from numerous universities around the world. You might want to check out some of the links on the Web Hispana de Criminología such as the Asociación Española de Criminólogos. Another good site with many interesting links is El Criminalista Digital.

My first suggestion, however, would be to look no further than your own backyard. Since 1997 the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico (PUCPR) has had an agreement with the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM ) in Spain to offer several doctoral programs, including one leading to a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice . The program is coordinated at PUCPR by Dr. Enid Miranda, and Drs. Manuel Maceiras and Emilio García are in charge of the distance learning component for the UCM.

	George Washington University George Washington University GWU offers an online Bachelor’s Degree in Police Science; and Master’s Degrees in Education and Human Development, Paralegal Studies, Public Relations, Educational Technology Lead, MBA – Healthcare, and MPS in Security and Safety Leadership. GW University is a prestigious and well regarded school. Established in the heart of the nation's capital in 1821, GW provides innovative programs in more than 200 fields of study, including graduate certificate, master's and doctoral programs. Under the guidance of a world-renowned faculty, you will explore both theory and practice in courses that prepare you to meet the needs of an increasingly complex society. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

	Paralegals and Legal Assistants Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees One of a paralegal's most important tasks is helping lawyers prepare for closings, hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. Paralegals might investigate the facts of cases and ensure that all relevant information is considered. They also identify appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles, and other materials that are relevant to assigned cases. After they analyze and organize the information, paralegals may prepare written reports that attorneys use in determining how cases should be handled. If attorneys decide to file lawsuits on behalf of clients, paralegals may help prepare the legal arguments, draft pleadings and motions to be filed with the court, obtain affidavits, and assist attorneys during trials. Paralegals also organize and track files of all important case documents and make them available and easily accessible to attorneys. •Job opportunities are projected to be better-than-average with strong employment growth; however, competition for jobs is expected. •Formally trained, experienced paralegals should have the best employment opportunities. •Most entrants have an associate’s degree in paralegal studies, or a bachelor's degree in another field and a certificate in paralegal studies. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

	University of Central Missouri University of Central Missouri UCM was founded as a teacher's college in 1871, and has grown to offer a comprehensive array of master's bachelor's and doctoral programs. UCM offers online Master’s Degrees in Education Technology and Industrial Management. The school is regionally accredited, the most widely recognized accreditation. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

	Criminal Justice Degrees Criminal Justice Degrees Police and detectives pursue and apprehend individuals who break the law and then issue citations or give warnings. Most police officers patrol their jurisdictions and investigate any suspicious activity they notice. They also respond to calls from individuals. Detectives, who often are called agents or special agents, perform investigative duties such as gathering facts and collecting evidence. The daily activities of police and detectives vary with their occupational specialty—such as police officer, game warden, or detective—and whether they are working for a local, State, or Federal agency. Duties also differ substantially among various Federal agencies, which enforce different aspects of the law. Regardless of job duties or location, police officers and detectives at all levels must write reports and maintain meticulous records that will be needed if they testify in court. Parole officers perform many of the same duties that probation officers perform. The difference is that parole officers supervise offenders who have been released from prison, whereas probation officers work with those who are sentenced to probation instead of prison. Pretrial services officers conduct pretrial investigations, the findings of which help determine whether suspects should be released before their trial. In most jurisdictions, probation is a county function and parole is a State function. •Job opportunities are expected to be excellent. •Employment growth, which is projected to be faster-than-average, is dependent on government funding. •For parole or probation officers, a bachelor's degree in social work, criminal justice, psychology, or a related field is usually required. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

Originally posted by John Bear
There are many totally legitimate universities with distance learning graduate degree programs throughout Latin America: Mexico, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Colombia.

I am 1000 km away from my book or files, and metaphorically as far from the right memory cells, so I can't be specific right now. Universad Estatal a Distancia. Is that one? Empresarial in Costa Rica. Universidad Autonoma de (what?) in Mexico. I'll stop trying now.

John,

Someone recently posted under the UNEM thread on the main board that Empressarial was NOT approved at the doctoral level. The guy claimed to have recently completed his PhD only to discover that it was not an approved degree program (I believe the Bach & Masters were). If true that answwers a long debated question.

I agree with you, our friend from PR ought to find an accredited Spanish program.

North

Hi guys, thanks to answer, specially to the Dr.Bear, for my is an honor that you advised me . On Caribbean University, at the moment the institution offers 13 types of Masters. The Masters in Justice Criminal is offered from year 2000.



Thanks for the information on the Universidad Complutense de Madrid ,i will verify it next. But right now my interests is to make a unaccredited doctorate in one of this universities because they full my necessities. I am considering Preston University because they indicated that they would be put under the accreditation processes in the future, and they are authorized by the department of education of Wyoming.

	George Washington University George Washington University GWU offers an online Bachelor’s Degree in Police Science; and Master’s Degrees in Education and Human Development, Paralegal Studies, Public Relations, Educational Technology Lead, MBA – Healthcare, and MPS in Security and Safety Leadership. GW University is a prestigious and well regarded school. Established in the heart of the nation's capital in 1821, GW provides innovative programs in more than 200 fields of study, including graduate certificate, master's and doctoral programs. Under the guidance of a world-renowned faculty, you will explore both theory and practice in courses that prepare you to meet the needs of an increasingly complex society. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school.

Originally posted by Police
Hi guys, thanks to answer, specially to the Dr.Bear, for my is an honor that you advised me . On Caribbean University, at the moment the institution offers 13 types of Masters. The Masters in Justice Criminal is offered from year 2000.



Thanks for the information on the Universidad Complutense de Madrid ,i will verify it next. But right now my interests is to make a unaccredited doctorate in one of this universities because they full my necessities. I am considering Preston University because they indicated that they would be put under the accreditation processes in the future, and they are authorized by the department of education of Wyoming.

Good luck to you. With respect, I would not waste my hard earned money & time on an unaccredited doctorate.

If you think you could manage a research doctorate (generally no coursework all research) in English I would contact the University of South Africa (through the Canadian Rep). Cost will probably be similar to your unaccredited option but faaaaaaaaaaaaaar more versatile. They are a very well respected University with famous alumni. You could also ask them if there are any faculty advisors who could supervise your research in Spanish (my guess is probably not but would not hurt to ask). Frankly, you could probably struggle and succeed in English. I once met an Sri Lankan (??Sp) Anglican Priest when I was in Germany. He spoke broken but relatively good English and was writing his doctoral dissertation in German (also not his first language).

North

Claiming soon to be accredited is a tatic that has no meaning without signifigant proof. It is better that the school claim what they are, state registered and not accredited. Amongst the schools you mentioned, Pacific Western would be a better choice, as at least they are CA Approved/HI Registered, and do not make claim to be accredited. If the state approved route is the only one you are taking other options include California Coast and California Pacific University. Kennedy-Western is a State Registered school in WY, and they do not claim to be accredited, so it is not necessary to do so to obtain the WY state registration.

Being legal , state approved/registered is not the best track - but acceptable in certain (mainly business) situations. However, claiming false accreditation, or soon to be, is not.

	Paralegals and Legal Assistants Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees One of a paralegal's most important tasks is helping lawyers prepare for closings, hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. Paralegals might investigate the facts of cases and ensure that all relevant information is considered. They also identify appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles, and other materials that are relevant to assigned cases. After they analyze and organize the information, paralegals may prepare written reports that attorneys use in determining how cases should be handled. If attorneys decide to file lawsuits on behalf of clients, paralegals may help prepare the legal arguments, draft pleadings and motions to be filed with the court, obtain affidavits, and assist attorneys during trials. Paralegals also organize and track files of all important case documents and make them available and easily accessible to attorneys. •Job opportunities are projected to be better-than-average with strong employment growth; however, competition for jobs is expected. •Formally trained, experienced paralegals should have the best employment opportunities. •Most entrants have an associate’s degree in paralegal studies, or a bachelor's degree in another field and a certificate in paralegal studies. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

	California Coast University California Coast University CCU offers the following online degrees: Associate’s Degrees in Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Healthcare Administration, and Marketing; Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Healthcare Administration, Management, Marketing, and Psychology; MBA’s with concentrations in General Business, and Human Resources Mgmt; Master’s in Education in Curriculum & Instruction, and Education Administration; and a Master of Science in Management and Psychology. The school is DETC accredited, a widely recognized accreditation. Click Here to receive FREE information on this school. [/center]

Open University Management Center claims to be the representatives of Pacific Western University for Latin America. Here are a few gems from the English version (it reads the same on their Spanish and Portuguese pages) of the Web site that purports to explain the legal status of Pacific Western University.

• 
  “The Security commission of the State of Hawaii added the guarantee of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to the document witnessing to the legality of PWU.”
  
  “Therefore, the degrees granted by PWU are recognized in every state of the USA and in those foreign countries that have agreements on university equivalents.”
  
  “The nature, purpose, and validity of the accreditation of PWU are sometimes questioned by people who lack adequate knowledge of the American educational establishment.”
  
  “Furthermore, a university that does not require class attendance but offers doctor’s degrees can obviously not be accredited. Such is the case of PWU and a great number of the best universities of North America.”
  
  “The degrees granted are equally valid and accepted in all the States of the USA, since, by Federal law, approval in one state automatically means approval in the rest of the country.”

	Paralegals and Legal Assistants Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees One of a paralegal's most important tasks is helping lawyers prepare for closings, hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. Paralegals might investigate the facts of cases and ensure that all relevant information is considered. They also identify appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles, and other materials that are relevant to assigned cases. After they analyze and organize the information, paralegals may prepare written reports that attorneys use in determining how cases should be handled. If attorneys decide to file lawsuits on behalf of clients, paralegals may help prepare the legal arguments, draft pleadings and motions to be filed with the court, obtain affidavits, and assist attorneys during trials. Paralegals also organize and track files of all important case documents and make them available and easily accessible to attorneys. •Job opportunities are projected to be better-than-average with strong employment growth; however, competition for jobs is expected. •Formally trained, experienced paralegals should have the best employment opportunities. •Most entrants have an associate’s degree in paralegal studies, or a bachelor's degree in another field and a certificate in paralegal studies. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

Originally posted by Gus Sainz
Open University Management Center claims to be the representatives of Pacific Western University for Latin America. Here are a few gems from the English version (it reads the same on their Spanish and Portuguese pages) of the Web site that purports to explain the legal status of Pacific Western University.

• 
  “The Security commission of the State of Hawaii added the guarantee of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to the document witnessing to the legality of PWU.”
  
  “Therefore, the degrees granted by PWU are recognized in every state of the USA and in those foreign countries that have agreements on university equivalents.”
  
  “The nature, purpose, and validity of the accreditation of PWU are sometimes questioned by people who lack adequate knowledge of the American educational establishment.”
  
  “Furthermore, a university that does not require class attendance but offers doctor’s degrees can obviously not be accredited. Such is the case of PWU and a great number of the best universities of North America.”
  
  “The degrees granted are equally valid and accepted in all the States of the USA, since, by Federal law, approval in one state automatically means approval in the rest of the country.”

Thanks for posting that Gus, it cracked me up (rolling on the floor).

North

	Paralegals and Legal Assistants Paralegal and Legal Assistant Degrees One of a paralegal's most important tasks is helping lawyers prepare for closings, hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. Paralegals might investigate the facts of cases and ensure that all relevant information is considered. They also identify appropriate laws, judicial decisions, legal articles, and other materials that are relevant to assigned cases. After they analyze and organize the information, paralegals may prepare written reports that attorneys use in determining how cases should be handled. If attorneys decide to file lawsuits on behalf of clients, paralegals may help prepare the legal arguments, draft pleadings and motions to be filed with the court, obtain affidavits, and assist attorneys during trials. Paralegals also organize and track files of all important case documents and make them available and easily accessible to attorneys. •Job opportunities are projected to be better-than-average with strong employment growth; however, competition for jobs is expected. •Formally trained, experienced paralegals should have the best employment opportunities. •Most entrants have an associate’s degree in paralegal studies, or a bachelor's degree in another field and a certificate in paralegal studies. Click Here to find FREE information on schools offering this course of study.

Hello friends, I found in Internet information on a contract between Pacific Western University- Hawaii and the Inter-American Open University in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This contract establishes that Pacific Western University will offer doctorates in the institution. If Pacific Western University is too bad, why this Inter-American Open University established this contract?. Here you can find the information friends.

1-http://www.vaneduc.edu.ar/uai/default.asp

2-http://www.vaneduc.edu.ar/uai/comuni/boletines/Boletin-9/uai-boletin-nro9_07.htm


Some idea on this, because I am confused

Mucho dinero?