Bottom line on Century Univ.

I am looking into this school very seriously (BS mechanical engineering). I understand that they are attempting to receive their accreditation and should get the final word potentialy in January.
What are your opinions of this institution? Any feedback, positive or negative, would be welcome!
If not Century...where?
Regards,
Bravo55

 

Century was my first introduction to DL. But it was CLEARLY a degree mill back in 2001. The courses listed on its site apparently didn't exist in practice because when I tried to take courses I was told that there were no course materials -- rather the course titles were areas in which I was expected to demonstrate competency.

But their approach must have changed if they now hope to gain accreditation.

 

I absolutely agree with oxpecker. I first checked into Century in 2000. At the time the only engineering programs online that I could find were Century, and KW. Century sent me a packet that looked like it had been printed on a bubble jet printer, and was not professional at all. At that time I did not know anything about DL, or accreditation. I talked with both schools, and both gave the same kind of high-pressure type sales pitch. I ended up choosing KW because they seemed much more professional. Both offered liberal amounts of credit by accepting all of my associates level work, and giving experience credit.

If Century gets accredited I think that would be great. I applaud their effort, and willingness to seek this out. I hope KW will one day come to their senses and do the same. However, I would not recommend either program. Times have changed, and other programs are coming online. I would go after a RA, or DETC program.

Regards,

Scott

 

Thanks for the quick responses.
Pardon my ignorance but can you explain what a RA and/or DETC are and their significance compared to being an acredited institution. Can you suggest any online engineering programs that are acredited?!
Thanks,
Bravo55

 

Since the original post mentioned just plain accreditation, without stating what kind of accreditation, Bravo55 should probably read up on the subject; one place to do this is http://www.degree.net/guides/accreditation.html

Normally, US engineering colleges are accredited both by the regional accreditor, and by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (http://www.abet.org). These are the programs that will be most readily accepted for employment and admission to graduate school. Also, as a mechanical engineer, you may wish to design heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, or water systems, as a consulting engineer; for this you will need a license from your state. A degree that is not accredited by ABET will be a major handicap in getting a license; the details vary from state to state.

When I look at the Century University web site, I'm afraid I cannot join Scott in applauding Century University's effort. I have to regard this not as a serious learning experience, but rather a process to create a barely defensible credential.

Gerry Ashton
BS electrical engineering, U. of So. Calif.
MS electrical engineering, Syracuse U.

 

I agree with Gerry. I just simply meant I applaud them for heading in the right direction. DETC is not RA or ABET, but they are an accreditation body and that is better than being an unaccredited school. Not everyone is looking to stamp drawings with a PE license.



DETC

RA = Regionally Accredited.

 

Hi Bravo:

Regarding your comment: "I understand that they are attempting to receive their accreditation and should get the final word potentialy in January."

January is simply when the commissioners meet to vote on schools who have undergone their site visit. DETC requires a readiness visit of all new institutions and pending the results of that visit a school and the DETC jointly decide if they should move to the next step which is the actual site visit, or if they have more work to do. It is not unusual for a school to have a readiness visit and learn that they may not be as ready for accreditation as they hope. In your case, if accreditation is important to you, then you should certainly try and find out where in the process the school is. Just because the commission votes in January is no indication that the school will have met all of the milestones necessary to be on the commission's agenda.

Best,
Mary

 

I would recomend you to stay away from unaccredited schools. There are a lot of accredited schools that are cheaper and maybe even faster than unaccredited schools. Try to go with regional accreditation or at least national accreditation.

 

Stay away from unaccredited schools is excellent advice. Especially when they have a questionable history like Century suffers from.

I would suggest purchasing "Bear's Guide" from either this forum or from one of the on-line book stores. It is geared for people that are in your position. You can get an overview of accreditation, some warnings about degree mills and a paragraph or two on just about every school offering distance learning.

 

I don't believe Mechanical Engineering is well suited to strictly distance learning methods, considering the benefits and need for practical labs and the added benefit of collaboration. Limited residency RA may be the most flexible and useful for your purposes.