Preference Between RA Agencies?

I'm curious as to whether there is a clear preference of one RA accrediting agency over another. If there is, why?

 

I would be surprised if the average member could even list a couple of differences between these agencies, never mind show a real preference.
Jack

 

Hmmm, now that I think about it, some people may prefer a particular agency due to its dominance in a particular geographic region. Maybe I should have phrased the survey question more like: Do you view any one RA agency as being superior to another?

Pug

 

Agreed.

 

NCA because of their "lean forward" approach to distance learning and other alternative schools.

Jones International
UoP
Union
Capella
Walden
AMU/APUS
Northcentral

and so forth....

 

Anyone at all surprised by the results thus far? I'm not. As of the time of this post over 72% have either no preference at all or so little preference that it would have no impact on their school selection.

Pug

 

But also interesting that more than 1 in 4 people DO have a preference ...

AND that only about 50% have no preference at all...

50 / 50

 

What do you think it means that 2 agencies have received no votes at all?

 

NCA - For all the reasons mentioned by others.

NCA is the RA of my choice for the 21th Century.

DETC is my NA of choice for the 21th Century

Learner

 

SACS has not accredited one single distance-only institution.

That, alone, is disturbing.

But then look at what SACS is doing in terms of faculty credentials.

An M.D. can not teach freshman level "Anatomy and Physiology" unless the instructor has at least 18 graduate hours in A&P.

An attorney can not teach American Government.

This does NOT happen with any of the other 5 R.A. bodies.

So yes, I have a preference. Anyone but SACS.

 

I have heard that WACS is the toughest. Not sure if it is true. Time will tell with TUI.

 

What, specifically, do you mean by "the toughest?" What makes them "the toughest?"

Are you talking about accreditation for DL programs, or just accreditation in general?

 

I KNEW they we not all the same and people considered which RA as part of their decision, even if not an overriding component.

 

Well this is a pretty small sample size, so maybe we should wait a little before we write them off...

 

Also, interestingly, THIS survey does not provide an option for: I prefer something other than RA, which maybe putting votes into no-preference....

 

Seeing as how this survey is a "Preference Between RA Agencies," it seems reasonable to me that only RA agencies would be included.

 

Ya, good point, I lost my analytical mind for a second

 

I have been told (only rumor, I have no data to back this up) that it is more difficult to become accredited by WACS than others. That is the reason you see more DL institutions in some areas (I have heard the south), than zero in the WACS area. I don't think this assumption is entirely correct, since there is a cost factor as well. (but Nevada is in contradiciton to that, so not sure).

I have posted a while back if anybody has done a comparison if there regulations and specifications. I don't think it has been done. I started looking through one, and it is like Greek, just very long and like a legal document in parts.

 

Isn't the WACS Maxine Asher's agency?

 

Actually, I prefer SACS. Both of my grad degrees come from SACS accredited schools (Vanderbilt and NSU). I know that when NSU went through their most recent visit - they really had to document what they are doing and demonstrate competence. I also note that SACS has had the gut to put schools on notice if they were non-compliant.

I have relatively little respect for NCA. They are forward thinking - so forward thinking they have accredited some schools that I have real doubts about.

But this is just my opinion.

Regards - Andy