Prejudice against DETC--What gives??

Hello. In reading these posts, it is quite clear that most people are extremely prejudiced against schools with DETC accreditation. Why is this? Are you saying that DETC is no good and any school they accredit is bad as well? I find it hard to believe that EVERY school accredited by DETC is flawed in some way. As a previous poster stated, I willing to bet the people here are connected in some way to RA schools, be it employment or otherwise. It just seems to me that this post is one-sided. It would be interesting to see the reactions of people here if they found a DETC accredited school that has the same quality, course content and intensity as an RA school. People then wouldn't have much to say.

That being said, I'll finish with this: If DETC accredited schools are as bad as they have been made out to be on this post, then perhaps we should start a national drive to get rid of DETC schools, make them illegal and then get rid of the DETC, since according to this post, they are so worthless.

But you know, it's strange, the DETC gets its authority to accredit schools FROM THE SAME PLACE AS RA SCHOOLS, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION!!!!!

Amazing isn't it?

 

I think the perception, among people here and among academics, that DETC accreditation is inferior is equal parts history and snobbery.

DETC historically accredited vo-tech programs (bookkeeping, locksmithing, private detective, etc.) and only comparatively recently got into "academic" programs in a big way. I have to admit I buy into the snob appeal. I'm not sure I'd want my master's in computer science accredited by the same organization that accredited my brother-in-law's gunsmithing diploma.

Regards.
TommyK

 

Pointing out the inferior acceptability of degrees from DETC-accredited schools isn't the cause of it. And complaining about it won't change it.

Don't blame people posting here for this situation. Personally, I'd be just fine with a situation where credits and degrees from DETC-accredited schools were accepted on par with those from regionally accredited schools. But until that happens, it is reasonable to point out the difference.

John's survey of admissions officials and mine of employers clearly demonstrates these facts, as do many individual situations where degrees and credits from DETC-accredited schools are not acceptable. And speaking of bias, to imply or argue otherwise would be demonstrating unfounded bias.

You might not like all of this (I don't), but it is true.

 

I certainly have no complaints about DETC nor blame for anyone opining here about its relative worth as an accrediting agency. I would have no problem with hiring someone with a DETC degree, although I wouldn't choose a DETC-accredited program over a regionally accredited program myself. In fact, looking back over my quarter century in EDP (excuse me, "IT") it seems to me that, especially at the entry level, the field is becoming more technical (as opposed to "professional") as the years go by, and this may bode well for DETC.

But, as Rich points out, not everyone is as fair and openminded as I.

Regards.
TommyK
CDP, CCP, CPIM, FLMI, BS, BS, Oracle Certified Professional Database Administrator