Help with IT degree for foreign student DETC or Regional Accreditation

Hi All

I would just like some information regarding getting an IT degree and accreditation. I know the difference between DETC and regional accreditation. My question that I have is that as a foreigner, does it really matter to me if I get a DETC degree? I have 12 years of IT experience, and my US company is willing to pay for a distance learning Bachelor's degree from a university in the states. I will probably never move to the states, but will use the degree in other countries. I would like to go up to a Masters degree in IT Management. I was thinking about getting my Bachelor's degree from the Cleveland Institute of Electronics, as their degree program looks very good.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

Thanks
Kobus

 

Kobus,

Well, you have to research that information in your country whether an DETC degree is acceptable. Some countries do not accept DETC accreditation, but some do. For example some Australian college (Deakin University) is accredited by DETC; therefore, I assume an DETC is acceptable there.

For moving into Master degree level; you'll face limitation of acceptance. However, there are many RA colleges and universities accept DETC degree for admission. Worst case scenario, you can attend Aspen University for there Master of Science in Information Technology Management. Good luck with your decision!

 

I would go for RA for many reasons.

First NARIC in UK and the EU network of NARIC will not evaluate DETC degrees. They don't say they are good or bad or equivalent simply they refuse to evaluate them in comparison to UK Degrees NARIC only evaluates US RA degrees as UK equivalent.

The same for other NARIC centers in EU.

AS for Universities they do their own evaluating and may accept DETC but may not. RA has a better chance to be accepted.

As to World College / Cleveland Institute of Electronics I hear mostly good things. Here you need to think about ABET accreditation. For Engineering Technology degrees RA is good but ABET is very important.

For example ABET accredited degree is subject to Washington accord recognition, DETC degree is not because ABET is representing US in that accord.

If you do decide to get DETC degree from World College there are ways you can increase their recognition.
One way is that you can get registered as professional engineer in EC UK. And also get GCGI from City and Guilds.
The GCGI in Engineering from City and Guilds is evaluated in USA by NARIC member agency as RA equivalent.

In UK many universities will accept your World College degree in to master degree program.

 

Thanks Lerner and Tekman

It is very useful information you guys gave me, and I will definitely investigate a bit and decide what is the best options.
Thanks also for the information about the UK degree options. I would actually like to complete my Masters from a UK University once finished with my Bachelors. Another option I was looking at was maybe applying at American Public University. I see that they are both NA and RA accredited. Do you guys know if they are any good?

 

There used to to be a member of this forum who earned bachelors from CIE/World College and then went to earn Masters in Space Studies from APU/AMU

You may also want to look in to Western Governors University.

 

If possible avoid DETC schools and go for RA (Regional Accreditation) Schools.

 

I would recommend looking at Thomas Edison State College. They have a regionally accredited BSBA Computer Information Systems that will give you exposure to business topics and allow you great discretion in electives. They also have a BA Computer Science that is not ABET accredited however. The best thing about them is that you can test out of the courses by using CLEP and DSST credits or ACE approved courses like Online courses for college credit - Online Courses - StraighterLine. I don't know if foreigners can use CLEP or DSST but you can use ACE.

 

Same for DETC accredited schools, the only limitation that one must earn usually 25% of the degree at the school By DL. So you can test out and transfer relevant credit up to 75%. At World College that will be 90 credits out of 120.

The remaining 30 you can complete in one year or so. The cost will be around 2500.

I do like the TESC option as well, BSBA in IS is a good program and it is RA accredited.