Any reason at all to get a 'quick' degree?

I know this will be easy to just say no, but think just a second before you call it a dumb post. I'm not trying to give these mills any credit. Its a totally academic question.


I was wondering if anyone, has ever found it helpful to get a degree from an ovious 'mill' or even the grey area schools like Kennedy-Western University?

Most of the online mills have no such use as they are known frauds, but some like KWU have *some* sort of backing(state licensed right? )

I was wonding if anyone ever used a place like this and came out thankful they did...?


Again, just to say again: I'm not trying to put mills or other schools in a good light at all. Just wanted to hear if someone -anyone- had ever knowingly used a mill and got away with it, or somehow used it for a legit purpose(if one could exist).



P.S.
Personally I would be scared to use them for *ANY* reason.
I'm currently trying to see which out of TESC, EXCELSIOR will give the best advantage.

 

Do you think anyone ever robbed a bank and benefitted from it?

Do you think anyone ever robbed a bank and came out thankful they did it?

Do you think anyone ever robbed a bank and got away with it?

Of course. It happens every day. That does not mean that it is a good idea under ANY circumstances.

 

There are some Faculty members with tons of experience teaching with Trinity and College University or Fairfax degrees at a RA universities. It seems that the degree worked for them.

 

Fairfax is not a mill. John Bear has written: "In the seventeen years since Marina and I helped Alan Jones and Malcolm Large design and establish Fairfax in Louisiana, I have neither seen nor heard anything that would cause me to question their academic integrity. Nothing. Truly, nothing."

That doesn't mean he would recommend the school to anyone. "[...] use of their degree would be a criminal offense in some states . . . and I still cannot figure out [...] on what authority they grant their degree."

 

Fraudulent OR Quick?

It seems from reading your post that the real question is "is it ever ok to get a FRAUDULENT degree?" I believe it is pretty clear the answer is no. As pointed out above it is the equivilent of robbing a bank. Aside from the ethics of question it is just a bad idea. You would never know when it might explode ruining your life.

The next question that comes to mind, "is it ever ok to get a VASTLY SUBSTANDARD degree?" An example might be a CCU MBA that only requires answering multiple choice questions at the end of a chapter. This question is slightly tougher. In general it is a bad idea, but the danger is certainly less. It is unlikely to blow up in your face. If you list it on applications you'll likely never be told it is the reason you are rejected even when that is the case. It may even make sense for vainity reasons.

Lastly, we come to title of the thread. "Is it ever ok to get a QUICK degree?" Examples of this might be accredited degrees from COSC, Excelsior, or TESC. It has been demonstrated many times by people on this board that from a practical stand point this is a great choice. While you aren't adding to your learning you are validating prior learning in way that has been examined and certified by the accepted accreditors in the US.

 

I formerly worked for a large auto manufacturer that merged with a German auto manufacturer. The German management came down with a requirement that all supervisors and above had to have a degree. Suddenly, a lot of people were coming up with advanced degrees from strange schools (SRU, Hamilton, etc.) They are still employed there. I'm not. I'm still trying to pursue an RA Master's degree.

 

Seeing his post I should have put "vastly substandard" as dave used it.


I know if one was to use something by a easily known mill for 5$ it could never be argued that it had any true potential.

But, those from KWU or I guess Fairfax... Those that have *some* state backing or sit in a very grey area...

I didn't know if anyone could give a valid reason for taking the chance using one of them.. Or if anyone here actually HAD gotten something from a school like those mentioned.

Seeing jerryclicks post It seems that even a "vastly substandard" degree can pull some people out in a pinch..

 

If Fairfax or any other unaccredited institution possesses high academic standards, why don't they seek accreditation?

 

Some schools (like Bob Jones University) have religious objections to being accredited. And maybe some small schools can't afford accreditation (I hear it's a quarter of a million dollars for DETC, and more for RA).

Maybe some schools should be seeking accreditation, and are just behaving strangely. I don't think you should assume that everyone out there is behaving logically.

 

Funny you should mention Bob Jones University. I personally know two different people who attended this university for awhile and then decided to transfer. Both were shocked when they discovered that there BJU credits and the money they paid for them went down the tube.