Ra Vs Detc

I am currently working on my MA in history at the American Military University. I understand that it is DETC school, but as far as I'm concerned that's irrelevant. This is my fourth degree, and it is by far the most difficult and challenging. My other degrees are from RA schools. Unfortunately, in the eyes of academia - the elite liberal establishment - a degree from a DETC school is considered second rate. What do they know?

Champ

 

Apparently you don't care about the answer, so why bother asking the question?
Jack

 

Mr. or Ms. Champ suggests that "in the eyes of academia - the elite liberal establishment - a degree from a DETC school is considered second rate."

John inquires: What is this "elite liberal establishment" business? In my big survey of registrars of RA schools, the 20% who always accept DETC accreditation and the additional 20% that sometimes do, included a good many schools that some people consider "elite" and/or "liberal." And the other 60% include a good many that most people would consider neither "elite" nor "liberal."

Since AMU has had courses evaluated for credit by the American Council on Education, that probably increases their acceptance among the elite liberal, as well as the non-elite liberal, the elite conservative, and the non-elite conservative schools.

John Bear, who is impressed by AMU, but thinks
that the name American Public University is the most
unfortunate name choice since Regents became Excelsior

 

DETC is real and genuine accreditation. It is much newer less established and apprently a little easier to get and keep than regional accreditation (RA). That can cause some difficulties when trying to transfer DETC degrees or credits to an RA school. On the other hand, I would assume that an AMU degree would be highly respected within the military. Maybe not held in as high regard as Westpoint but probably higher than most RA schools.

Please note that I only say it is my assumption. If you are actually in the military population then I'd be very interested in your much more informed opinion.

 

For me, the name "American Public University" appears deceptive in the extreme. Normally, I do not care what a school calls itself (although that whole Union Institute & University thing is rather goofy), but for a private university to call itself APU is difficult to comprehend.

And, yes, I know I've said this before. Apparently, I'm perturbed (and would never recommend students to this school as long as that name continues - a shame, given how good I believe AMU is).



Tom Nixon

 

Is there a question here, or is the above just a statement of personal opinion?

 

The ol' nomenclature kook agrees with the august luminaries.

The "elite liberal establishment" bit is a bit whiny. AMU (despite the bulvonish APU moniker) deserves better than this. Charles, where are you?

 

To quote Tony Bourdain (in reference to the show "The Naked Chef), "It's two lies in three words."

 

With all due respect, I think some of you people are missing the point. It doesn't matter what moniker you attach to APUS, or what the elite liberal establishment thinks about DETC schools. What's important is that AMU has been one of my most rewarding academic experiences.

Dan Champagne

BS Psychology/Sociology, Springfield College
BS Secondary Education/History, University of Maine
M.Ed Social Studies Education, University of Maine
MA American History, AMU (graduation date 5/2004)
Author of "Dogface Soldiers," published by Merriam Press 2003

 

Oh, how quickly we forget what's really important in this world. Our petty squabbling and name calling seems so meaningless when we look at the only question that really matters: What's important to Dan Champagne?

 

If what the elite liberal establishment thinks of your school doesn't matter, why'd you mention them/it at all? Who are they/it, anyway?

 

LOL! Touché, Jeff.

 

This confirms something that I've long suspected . . .
I am neither elite, liberal nor particularly well established.
I am, however, glad to hear that you're pleased with your school.
Jack

 

DETC discrimination is unacceptable

You're kidding, right?!? DETC accreditation may be cheaper than RA, but it is not easier to obtain and/or keep. As far as quality goes, DETC degree programs are actually more difficult to complete when compared to their RA counterparts. Unlike many of the virtual RA schools advertised here, DETC schools require proctored exams in order to validate student learning.

I have a DETC degree, a traditional top-tier RA degree, and I have studied at a RA online virtual school. Currently, I am enrolled in a residential (fully ABA approved) Juris Doctor program. In comparison, the DETC program was by far the most difficult and rewarding educational experience of my life; at least so far. On the other hand, the virtual RA program was, in my opinion, nothing more than a glorified and very expensive degree mill.

So, why are DETC degrees less accepted?? Partly because of the liberal academic gatekeepers who preach diversity, tolerance, and acceptance, but in reality, keep certain groups --DETC students-- out of the mix by utilizing discriminatory admissions policies!

More importantly, while I agree that sites like this are informative, they are also partly to blame for the problem. By now, we all know about the DETC acceptance issues. After all, it has been discussed over and over again on this site. Unfortunately, only the DETC students and graduates regularly speak out against the discrimination.

Why aren't the Degreeinfo regulars infuriated by this blatant discrimination? Instead of just stating and re-stating the obvious, why don't they speak out against schools such as TECS that possess discriminatory admissions policies? Where is the outrage? Instead of protesting a just and necessary war, advocating pro-choice (aka violent murder), or promoting affirmative racism, why not spend your time helping an academic minority group that is truly in need of assistance?

Do schools like Excelsior really provide superior educational programs? Of course not! So if you really aren’t elite academic hypocrites, use your voices properly and speak out against “no DETC” policies. All inclusive policies would benefit everyone involved by making quality and affordable education available to everyone.

Either way, there is still hope for DETC students and graduates. After 2004, the 50% rule may be eliminated, thereby allowing DETC students to participate in Title IV financial aid programs. Additionally, from what I understand, it is quite possible that Congress will make discrimination on the basis of recognized accreditation illegal. Until then, discrimination against fully recognized accreditors should not be tolerated.

J, MBA

 

Jeff,

You're reading way too much into my comment. It is my own personal opinion based on my own personal experiences as a student, high school teacher, and college instructor. It is in no way meant to detract from the RA vs DETC debate, only enhance it.

Dan

 

Re: DETC discrimination is unacceptable

Could you please name the RA schools that do not require proctored exams?

Could you possibly have misunderstood the philosophy of Excelsior any more? I doubt it. You are confusing "validating previously aquired knowledge" with "gaining new knowledge."

 

Jeff,

You're reading way too much into my comment. It is my own personal opinion based on my own personal experiences as a student, high school teacher, and college instructor. It is in no way meant to detract from the RA vs DETC debate, only enhance it.

Dan

 

Re: DETC discrimination is unacceptable

OK, so you're another strong proponent of DETC programs. That's fine with me. Your school (surprising you didn't name it since you think so highly of it) may be quite good. I think, however, that the flaw in your argument is that it's based on inductive reasoning: "MY DETC school program was great, therefore ALL DETC programs are great." (BTW, the other side of the argument is also flawed: "Some DETC programs are substandard therefore ALL DETC programs are substandard.") I believe that just as RA schools exist on a continuum of quality, so too the DETC schools. Maybe you went to the MIT of DETC accredited schools. Now I know that there's an argument that says that you should judge a school by the poorest student (who earned a degree) performance. Perhaps accreditors should be judged the same way. If there are substandard schools with DETC accreditation I would think that the DETC "Ivy Leaguers" would want to give them a kick in the butt because they cast suspicion on all DETC schools. In any case, I just wanted to say that your idea that DETC is great because one DETC school is great really doesn't hold water. All of these schools need to be examined individually as it seems to me that accreditation is only a rough screening process. Also, your statement that a school which requires proctored exams is more difficult to complete, is not really true either. It only means that it's more difficult to cheat. If an honest person takes an exam, having no intention or inclination toward cheating, then the exam is not more or less difficult if it is proctored.
Jack

 

Re: DETC discrimination is unacceptable

J,

You hit the nail right on the head. It's high time we get down to where the metal hits the meat and stop pussy footing around. The elite liberal establishment is banking on the fact that we're too stupid to recognize the repercussions of their stranglehold on education.

Dan

 

Champ - I'm sure your DETC school may well meet your needs. But lets ignore the "elite liberal establishment" for a minute. Why don't DETC schools go for RA? If they are truly as rigorous as claimed here, they'd easily make the grade. Or would they?

Another question - how many DETC schools are there that offer bachelor and higher degrees? Aren't most DETC school more trade oriented?

Regards - Andy