Westbrook University - Is it Legit?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by MMyers, Oct 15, 2004.

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  1. MMyers

    MMyers New Member

    I am interested in pursuing a Ph.D in psychology with Westbrook University. I was told that they were accredited by the New Mexico Commission of Higher Education. In addition, their representative stated that I should be able to take the licensure exam in that state and some other states as well. The rep also added that Westbrook is trying to get APA accreditation and they expect that to happen within the next year or so.

    However, I read some posts that stated that Westbrook was not able to meet basic acreditation requirements in WV sometime in 2000-2001.

    I just wanted more clarification on this if anyone can advise me.

    Thanks.
     
  2. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Westbrook is not accredited by any recognized agency.

    It's licensure in New Mexico has no gravitas in higher education.

    If a rep from Westbrook actually made such a forward-looking statement regarding APA accreditation, he/she is wrong on two counts. First, it is irresponsible to predict--and, thus, recruit on the basis of--future accreditation. Second, it ain't gonna happen. The APA isn't going to accredit a non-RA school's psychology program, especially a distance learning one.

    Whether or not Westbrook operates at even a minimal level might be debatable. Please do a search on this website to find more. Much more.
     
  3. Guest

    Guest Guest

    From the Westbrook web site:

    If I am not mistaken Wesbrook used to have a higher status with the Commission on Higher Education, but no longer. I also believe one used to be able to sit for counseling licensure, not psychology licensure, but again, no more.

    It's been a long time since I viewed their materials but I think what I have stated is accurate. I do know they are terribly expensive and if state licensure is one's goal, I don't think Westbrook is a good choice.
     
  4. MMyers

    MMyers New Member

    Accreditation Issues

    Thanks for posting.

    How can one find out if a university such as Westbrook is accredited by a legit organization? Yes, the rep confirmed that I will be able to sit for the psychology licensure exams in the state of NM and several other states.

    That's interesting.
     
  5. Chip

    Chip Administrator

    I suspect that Westbrook's sales - er, admissions - reps will say anything to get someone to attend.

    When I was researching them in 1998, one of their admissions reps told me that they were in the process of applying for regional accreditation and would have it by 2000. Of course, they never even requested a packet from the North Central Association, let alone actually applied. And I suspect the same is true for any claims of APA accreditation.

    In my book, the school is one of the worst offenders in terms of misleading applicants. I also have on file two letters granting "accreditation" from two supposedly very different accreditors... except that the content of the letters is word-for-word the same. Oh, and one of the accreditors was operated out of the back of a health food store, and the other out of a private home. Both the proprietor of the health store and the guy whose home was the listed address of the other accreditor were -- surprise -- working for Westbrook.

    If you're seeking to check out a school's accreditation, I'd recommend the CHEA database (www.chea.org). It is a compilation of schools recognized by all of the regionals and I think DETC and a couple of other USDOEd recognized accreditors.

    If you're looking for distance-based psychology, you might check out Fielding Institute, Institute for Transpersonal Psychology, and Saybrook Institute. All tend to be on the humanistic/transpersonal side, but all have regional accreditation and extensive DL offerings.
     
  6. Fred Wilkinson

    Fred Wilkinson New Member

    Hi Chip,

    Have I missed something here?

    Since when has the USA been the gold standard in education?

    The New Mexico Commission of Higher Education is a recognised accreditation agency.

    Lots of schools recognise it.
     
  7. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    Are you serious?
     
  8. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Fred,

    the NMCHE is not an accrediting agency. It merely licenses Westbrook. There is a big difference.
     
  9. Fred Wilkinson

    Fred Wilkinson New Member

    YES?

    Accredit: To supply with credentials or authority; authorize.
     
  10. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    NO!

    logomachy: to play with words and waste people's time
     
  11. Steve Levicoff

    Steve Levicoff Well-Known Member

    I don't get to quote myself often these days, but what I wrote about Westbrook in the 4th edition of NIFI back in 1994 might be helpful. (If you don't know what NIFI is, congratulations - you have a chance to get off your lazy asses and do some research instead of merely pontificating like a rank amateur. Oh, sorry, that part was just for Fred, who is obviously accreditation-illiterate. Jimmy is quite correct, Fred. And yes, the USA is the gold standard in accreditation. :D )

    Let's not mince words, folks: Westbrook is a degree mill - was, is, and shall be forevermore.
     
  12. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Re: YES?

    Amazing. Fred has posted 74 times, and still doesn't understand the use of the term accreditation in the context of hgher education. Or perhaps he does, as Uncle Janko notes?
     
  13. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Re: NO!

    Very funny, Uncle Janko.

    Perhaps Fred is also skilled in neologisms and glossolalia. :D
     
  14. MMyers

    MMyers New Member

    Brochure / School Catalog

    I just received the catalog from Westbrook. I started to really wonder because their return address is a P.O. Box out of WV (the state where they were denied accreditation).

    Thanks everyone.
     
  15. Fred Wilkinson

    Fred Wilkinson New Member

    Hahahahahahhaa

    The USA the Gold Standard in Education?

    LMHBO

    We had universities in Europe before the Americas were even discovered.

    Yawn:eek:
     
  16. JNelson467

    JNelson467 New Member

    I am simply curious as to what strikes such interest in seeking this particular school, or better yet, seeking to obtain some positive acceptance from members of this forum?

    Is it the curriculum, cost, simplicity of completing a program with minimal work etc?

    I think most of us would like to know, should you mind sharing such deep interest in this particular unaccredited school.:confused:
     
  17. MMyers

    MMyers New Member

    Not Necessarily Westbrook

    I found out about Westbrook while reading an Addition Counselor Magazine. On their ad, it stated that Westbrook offered distance learning and that is what caught my eyes. Since it came from a professional magazine, I thought that they would advertise things that are legit.

    I am looking for a DL Ph.D or PsyD program, and not necessarily Westbrook. I enrolled in Capella and dropped out before the first day of class. I have looked into Fielding and Regents (both APA accredited) but I am still exploring other options. One of the reasons I have not enrolled in Fielding or Regent(s) is I believe that most of the students have been in the profession for several years. I, on the other hand, only have less than three years of related experience. Yes, I feel a bit intimidated.

    And no, I will not enroll in something that is not accredited. For the most part, I think I am very intimidated about doing the dissertation. I have heard so many horror stories even from my graduate professors.
     
  18. Bill Huffman

    Bill Huffman Well-Known Member

    Re: Not Necessarily Westbrook

    The advertising department for many (most?) magazines (and USA Today) puts integrity at a lower priority than revenue.
     
  19. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Re: Brochure / School Catalog

    One cannot be denied what one has not sought. Westbrook, to my knowledge, has never pursued accreditation.

    Well, at least not legitimate, recognized accreditation. I see on Westbrook's website that they list the dreadful Accrediting Commission International under "Worldwide Associations." Interesting that they don't tout or flout it. Perhaps they're not allowed to by New Mexico?

    Westbrook has a long statement on accreditation (from the State of California), describing what accreditation is and is not. But they (Westbrook) don't point out that they are not accredited.

    Wyoming does not accredit schools. Wyoming licenses them, making it clear to all that their licensure is not to be construed as a form of approval of such-licensed schools.

    Are you saying that Wyoming denied Westbrook licensure?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 19, 2004
  20. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Re: Re: Brochure / School Catalog

    This should be West Virginia, not Wyoming.
     

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