Thread: Morris Brown Loses Appeal

It was reported here in our local paper that Morris Brown College of Atlanta Georgia has lost their appeal of the rejection of their accreditation with S.A.C.S.

My question is what do those most learned in these issues think the students that are already enrolled there should do? If the student leave they will not have the finances to fix some of their problems. If they stay and they graduate, their degrees will be according to many on this board, of zero utility.

The emotional response may be not to sell out or turn your back on those that gave you a chance. Yet that may not be the wisest educational choice. This is the problem facing many HBCU's, and I suppose other institutions that may be in a similar predicament.

Who says the degrees earned there will have "zero utility"? This is a mis-characterization of the criticisms offered regarding the over-inflated claims made by those who attempt to rationalize their choice to pursue degrees from unaccredited schools.

The students at the school can transfer to other, accredited schools. The ones graduating this year had their school year ended early so they would graduate before the decision was announced. Thus, they've graduated from an accredited school. Finally, there are students who may decide to stay. They face the difficulty of completing their studies at a school ineligible for federal and state financial aid, along with other forms like the UNCF.

Even still, graduates of this school may find their degrees useful in some situations. Unlike unaccredited DL schools, this one has a presence in the community and a local reputation. That may not go away entirely. Also, the school may regain accreditation. (I do not think this is likely, but I'm wrong all the time when predicting the future.) Finally, many employers don't know and don't care about accreditation. That's why so many people with unaccredited degrees and degrees from diploma mills thrive in their frauds.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rich Douglas
Who says the degrees earned there will have "zero utility"? This is a mis-characterization of the criticisms offered regarding the over-inflated claims made by those who attempt to rationalize their choice to pursue degrees from unaccredited schools. [QUOTE]

With the numerous posts and criticisms of anything less than an RA degree, this zero utility statement may be one of the most inflammatory things written about any unacreditted school but it is in the posts...zero utility...good to only spit on, sneeze on, paper the bathroom with or other bathroom uses. It is not a mis charectorization but a review of the sentiments of many posts on unacredited degrees in this forum. It is not necessarily a bad thing, just a statement. I do not agree, and that puts me in the vast minority, but that is not the issue I raised here.

If this school continues and I pray it does, until it gets it's acreditation back, it's degrees will be unacredited. Just because it is a brick and mortar school with a prescence in the community and history does not change a thing. Will itl fall into the category of State Approved schools...I am not sure.

[QUOTE] The students at the school can transfer to other, accredited schools. The ones graduating this year had their school year ended early so they would graduate before the decision was announced. Thus, they've graduated from an accredited school. Finally, there are students who may decide to stay. They face the difficulty of completing their studies at a school ineligible for federal and state financial aid, along with other forms like the UNCF. [QUOTE]

That is good. Although it appears from this little bit that the main advantage to RA is the availibity of financial aid, which once again makes it a money thing. Stop paying coaches multi million dollar packages and maybe the cost per credit hour/semester hour will come down.

Even still, graduates of this school may find their degrees useful in some situations. Unlike unaccredited DL schools, this one has a presence in the community and a local reputation. That may not go away entirely. Also, the school may regain accreditation. (I do not think this is likely, but I'm wrong all the time when predicting the future.) Finally, many employers don't know and don't care about accreditation. That's why so many people with unaccredited degrees and degrees from diploma mills thrive in their frauds.

Richmond Virginia Seminary is a brick and mortar school that is currently not acredited, yet labeled a degree/diploma mill in NIFI. Does this mean that they are frauds too? They have a prescence in the community that will not go away like Morris Brown, and even Bishop College which has closed. Their degrees are accepted in many situations. Now their curriculum may be substandard to graduation requirements for Harvard or University of Miami, but that is that institution. (I have not looked at what they require in along time, but I have several friends who either go there or have graduated) I think the usefulness of the degree depends on a lot of things, not just the RA stamp of approval...although that is very important.

True many employers do not know about acreditation. The same can be said of many students and prospective students. Not everyone is trying to pull a scam. Some schools and some students sure, but not all. And to be honest we have all probably seen, worked with, and dealt with the proverbial educated fool...their degrees did not make them a better employee...just a more expensive one. What happens if a person goes to a RA school, does not go to class, pays off their teacher (however you want to) and still graduates. Their degree is RA but have they learned anything, but how to get over on the system? It happens...whether we like to admit it or not. This may be why (in part) some employers do not care about acreditation...show me what you can do.

That is why this forum is an invaluable tool for those who truly want to know. Your research should prove highly valuable as well.
I look forward to purchasing it once completed.

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I will guess that Morris Brown will close before the next school year.