Will California Coast University Receive DETC Accreditation?

To Dr. John Bear and the Other Members of DegreeInfo,

First things first, I would like to publicly say I am sorry for statements I made regarding Dr. John Bear. I have been reading his books for 25 years and I know he is an expert in the field of distance learning education. Sometimes in defending a particular point, we can all have the potential of taking things personal. I made a gross mistake in judgment. Dr. Bear, I would sincerely hope you will accept my apology. I wish you continued success in your future endeavors. When are you going to make available a new revision to Bear's Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning. I have the 15th Edition.

I am looking at doing the MBA from California Coast University. I was enrolled in their combined program in the early 90s, unfortunately I became very ill, and had to withdraw. I have been reinstated and will be making the initial payment shortly. They are quite recognized in the world of distance education, and I was wondering if anyone would comment whether they believe they will receive DETC accreditation. I have a unique opportunity, in that I have been offered a chance to earn both the MBA and Doctorate in Business Administration since I am a reinstatement candidate. My total for both degrees is under $5,000.00, which is unheard of in today's market. Also, I would hope that the ODA would remove California Coast University from their list.

I would be interested in hearing directly from anyone offering suggestions. Thank you for your assistance and for having an opportunity to participate in this forum.

Sincerely and Respectfully Submitted,

Bob Hill
[email protected]

 

Well, for $5k it wouldn't be a bad deal although it isn't a MBA or Ph.D. from anything near a traditional program. It is almost inaccurate to call them such. CCU was a good chance of becoming DETC (50-70%?). but certainly no gurantee. I am always interested in people that want a Ph.D. but then look to programs aren't reallly Ph.D.s. What is the point self-gratification?

 

I am hoping CCU gets their accreditation. The MBA will have a greater value than the PhD because DETC does not accredit PhD's.

You wouldhave an unaccreditied PhD from an accredited school. CCU does not offer the PhD's anymore so I think it could rasie some questions.

 

Dear Randall1234,

I understand from reading Northcentral University's website you can be accepted into their PhD program without a Masters Degree. as long as you have 30 graduate semester hours. Is that correct and would you recommend I complete the required 30 hours at CCU and then transfer to Northcentral University?

I want to at least complete the MBA program at California Coast University.

Sincerely,

Bob Hill
[email protected]

 

I don't know about the rules to be accepted into the PhD with a masters, but I would defenitely finish the MBA from CCU. By the time you finish they might be accreditied.

As far as a PhD, what do you want to do with it?
If teaching is in the future, I don't think a CCU PhD will get you too far. If it is for corporate america or self satisfaction, only you can decide if it will meet youor needs.

 

Given the fact that CCU no longer offers doctoral programs, is it possible for one to be reinstated after 10+ years?

 

I will add my voice to the chorus that says "it depends on the reason that you wish to obtain the degree(s)". If your goal is to teach at the community college or university level, these would not be the best choice for you. If you are doing it for personal enrichment or for promotion in a career where regional accredition is not important, then this may be a good choice, especially if you already have some work completed in the program (CCU coursework may not transfer to other schools).

CCU has been around for 30 years, so it is not a fly-by-night operation. Many people have found value in their CCU degrees, a situation that will be even more true for future graduates if CCU achieves DETC accreditation.

However, the fate of a CCU doctorate is certainly up in the air, especially if DETC accreditation is granted. If Northcentral will accept you into its doctoral program with a CCU masters, then that would be a far better route than continuing with an unaccredited doctorate from CCU. So far, Northcentral is too new to have many (any?) PhD grads in tenure-track higher ed faculty positions, so its usefulness in academia is questionable. Nevertheless, having an accredited doctorate puts you in a different league than having an unaccredited one.

Tony Pina
Northeastern Illinois University

 

CCU will likely get DETC accreditation but it is not a done deal, yet. My opinion of the CCU DBA is that it is questionable and substandard, e.g., no dissertation requirement. Although the reputation of even their DBA, I assume, would be improved by DETC accreditation even though the degree itself would not ever be accredited. So, for someone looking for a "backdoor entrance" to a legitimate looking doctorate, for personal bragging rights, it might be just the ticket you are looking for.

 

To Dr. John Bear and the Other Members of DegreeInfo,

Bob Hill: First things first, I would like to publicly say I am sorry for statements I made regarding Dr. John Bear. I have been reading his books for 25 years and I know he is an expert in the field of distance learning education. Sometimes in defending a particular point, we can all have the potential of taking things personal. I made a gross mistake in judgment. Dr. Bear, I would sincerely hope you will accept my apology.

John Bear: Thank you for saying this. Sure.

Bob Hill: I wish you continued success in your future endeavors. When are you going to make available a new revision to Bear's Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning. I have the 15th Edition.

John Bear: No more from me. 30 years is quite enough to do (almost) anything. My daughter Mariah is at work on a 16th edition, probably for next spring or summer.

Bob Hill on CCU: They are quite recognized in the world of distance education...

John Bear: I disagree. In the academic world, based on my 2000 survey of registrars, fewer than 3% would accept the credits or degree, even rarely. Of course there are exceptions. Many of the reported faculty at properly-accredited schools, who have CCU degrees, either have a position that does not require that degree, or was accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Bob Hill: I was wondering if anyone would comment whether they believe they will receive DETC accreditation.

John Bear: I'd bet on it. However, I suspect DETC would not be thrilled to learn (and they do read this forum) that CCU is still willing to award a doctorate, even given your special circumstances.

Bob Hill: Also, I would hope that the ODA would remove California Coast University from their list.

John Bear: I find it odd that CCU hasn't invested the $400 (and a bunch of time) necessary to apply to be removed from that list, as quite a few other schools have.

 

PhD_Cyberspace: "I have a unique opportunity, in that I have been offered a chance to earn both the MBA and Doctorate in Business Administration since I am a reinstatement candidate".


Cehi: Are you sure about this? Was this opportunity extended prior to June 30, 2003 or recently? I thought I read on this forum last summer they are only accepting or re-instating students for the Ph.D. programs up until June 30, 2003, prior to their accreditation application. Maybe yours could be a case by case issue where other considerations or authorizations exists that we do not know. I concur with Dr. Bear's assessment hereto. Thank you, and good luck to you in your academic endeavors.