unaccredited degrees -Bear's Guide

**laferney** · 09-01-2004 10:10 AM

Given the fact that there has been so many changes in DL since the last edition and the "more respectable unaccredited schools " have seen the light and dropped their doctoral programs or are seeking DETC accreditation would there ever be a reason to obtain an unaccredited degree -even a doctorate for "self-satisfaction? In the past editions of Bear's Guide I felt the case was made that there were some uses for these degrees -as for self-satisfaction or job promotion. But I have observed on this forum that even the "more respectable unaccredited schools"{and I assume this meant school like California Coast U. etc.} are seen as no longer having a valid purpose.
Would there be any purpose in listing the "Other schools with non-resident programs" (unaccredited ) other than warning consumers that these degrees are essentilly worthless? In the past schools as Adam Smith University and Fairfax were described as having some use -now seen as total degree mills.
What I'm saying is that up until the last edition I interpreted that John Bear felt there was a place for unaccredited respectable degrees-was I wrong in my assessment? I agree with most posters here that given the option now of so many accredited DL options it makes no sense sow to invest-even for self-satisfaction -in an unaccredited degree now.

**nosborne48** · 09-01-2004 12:08 PM

I wonder about this, too. I think that the original reasoning is still valid even in light of the explosion in D/L opportunities in the last decade because the fact is, there are still some areas of study where an unaccredited dissertation doctorate is the only D/L doctorate available.

The window does seem to be closing, however. My standard example is the J.S.D. or other dissertation degree in law. There are still no accredited D/L U.S. dissertation doctorates in law.

However, there IS a Ph.D. in law through the University of Leicester (extremely limited residency in the form of occasional visits to the U.K.) and the LL.D. can be earned at a distance from UNISA. There might also be some "occasional visit" type programs in Austrailia as well.

So, IS it rational to earn one's law doctorate from Northwestern California University School of Law? (NWCULaw is an unaccredited but very legitimate correspondence law school in California.) Maybe, but it's getting harder to justify, I think.

**laferney** · 09-01-2004 12:42 PM

Excellent point. I think of schools like the old American Institute of Hypnotherapy (now APU in Hawaii) This school seemed like a legitimate program to model a degree in hypnotherapy like a Psy.D program. They offered a D.C.H-with an opportunity to study many diverse applications in hypnosis-some debateable areas like past lives therapy-but many appropriate ones like pain control, psychoneuroimmunology etc. It required lots of readings and hands on training and a project. Yet it has been ridiculed as a degree mill. You will find many of it's graduates in successful hypnotherapy practice.
So this unaccredited degree has served a purpose due to the reason you described-because there are no accredited programs in this area. So if the subject matter is 1.legitimate 2 there is no accredited program at the level desired to study , and 3 it leads to some useful vocation or skill it may be worth it. Thanks for your insight.

**nosborne48** · 09-01-2004 12:47 PM

That's pretty much how I see it. Now, if the degree meets some state licensing requirement, like SCUP's Ph.D. and Psy.D. programs do, that is perhaps an additional justification for pursuing an unaccredited doctorate.

(I did not mention California's plethora of unaccredited D/L J.D. Bar qualifying programs because the J.D. is not a dissertation doctorate.)

**Bill Huffman** · 09-01-2004 07:38 PM

I think that times are changing. As I see it there's two primary movements that are reducing unaccredited as a reasonable choice.

1. Fully accredited options in distance learning are growing.

2. Unaccredited degrees are becoming more problematical.
a. More states (and apparently some countries) are passing laws making unaccredited degrees illegal to use.
b. Diploma mill business is booming because of the WWW and that is giving an even worse name to unaccredited schools.

**John Bear** · 09-01-2004 08:33 PM

While many of my opinions have changed over thirty years, think and hope I have been consistent in saying this one crucial thing:

Before you spend a dollar, be as confident as you can that the degree will meet your current, and your predictable future needs.

As more and more regionally and nationally accredited schools entered the realm of distance learning, the reasons to pursue an unaccredited degree diminish -- but are still far from zero.

It's those 'future needs' that are often the kicker. Something that made excellent sense today turns out to be a problem later on. Many of the tear-stained letters I get are about this matter. I never expected to change jobs...or to move from this state. My company has a new HR policy. I hadn't planned to go on for an MBA but now... The school lost its accreditation. The accreditor became unrecognized. On and on.

It will be interesting (to me, anyway) to see how the author of the next edition of Bear's Guide deals with these matters. (If she asks, I'll share opinions.)

John Bear

**RevRenee** · 09-03-2004 12:02 AM

One concern i have is the lack of real humanities graduate programs in the distance learning area

I was very excited when the New School began a distance program. I have not had the time to see if the courses seem new School sort of quality.

I have been talking with faculty who are considering starting a graduate humanities institute. The accreditation issue is really a tough one for us. the faculty in the project are split on the issue. Everyone in the group except for two of us are well established and well published with years of teaching at the college level in accredited schools. There is a lot of fear that accreditation has moved towards promoting empirical methods and standardization we do not feel contributes to quality.

I was one of those who started out STRONGLY for accreditation. As i have watched things at union develop --MAN - I just don't know if that is worth it.

I really like the Wisconsin school Approval board folks and i have found them REALLY helpful. At the moment we just have a few students paying almost nothing in our church based seminary. Legally we do nt have to relate to the School Approval Board at all but I have found them helpful in thinking through some of the issues involved in this dream of having our utra tiny church school become the religious Studies wing of a really high quality graduate Humanities Institute

It seems though to get accreditation is ReaLLY Expensive. even with a qualified faculty and excellent program getting started seems to require Big Bucks or affiliating with an existing college.

Those who have the sort of connections that may make that possible are investigating that as a possibility.

I am concerned that the growth in distance education seems to be replacing Liberal Arts Research Phd's with professional programs. And most start ups seem more profit oriented than vision oriented. in the current climate I am not sure a "Hampshire college' or a "Shimer' or a "Union Institute ' or "Antioch' have much potential for recognition in the next decade.

Thoughts/ Anyone know of new LIBERAL ARTS type colleges just starting out ?

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**John Bear** · 09-03-2004 08:35 AM

I thought it was an interesting development when the American Academy of Liberal Education was established, and became a recognized accreditor, during the 1990s. (www.aale.org). Unlike the professional accreditors (psychology , physics, etc.), they seem to be accrediting both departments within schools, and entire schools. I believe they are also willing to accredit schools that do not also have regional accreditation. And they are moving slowly.

Accredited to date:
Baylor
Eckerd
Michigan State
Sanford
Soka
Southern Virginia U
Thomas Aquinas
Thomas More College
U of Dallas

Candidates: Ave Maria, Magdalen, Patrick Henry.

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unaccredited degrees -Bear's Guide

I wonder about this, too. I think that the original reasoning is still valid even in

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