USA Today: A Haven For Schools With Non-USDoE Recognized Accreditation

Not one school advertised in USA Today has US DoE recognized accreditation. Today's hall of fame includes:

Barrington University
LaCrosse University
Columbus University
Madison University
Bircham International University
Kensington University
Northwestern International University (Ph.D. for $395)
American College (Ph.D. for $199)
Bienville

One is left with the impression that advertising ethics no longer matter.

Russell,
Who always reads the education advertising section in USA Today, and shakes his head horizontally.

 

The Economist must shoulder some of that criticism too. Talk about an "eclectic" assortment of institutions!

 

As reported earlier, three years ago, the advertising ombudsman for USA Today agreed they were doing a terrible thing. She and I spent several months developing standards for the publication, and she actually pushed for tougher ones than I suggested.

Then one day, she stopped communicating with me, and there were no changes made. Clearly she was overruled by the higher ups at Gannett. What a shame.

 

Many people know nothing of the reputable DL guidebooks or this group. They form their opinions of distance education from how it appears in mass-circulation publications like USA Today.

To the extent that people can identify unrecognized schools, they conclude that distance education is a joke. And to the extent that they can't, they become exposed to potential fraud.

If the general public ever comes to associate "distance education" with "degree mill", those of us with legitimate distance degrees will find our opportunities limited.

The damage will be lasting. We're still trying to live down the 'correspondence schools advertising on matchbook covers' stigma of a generation ago.

 

Hmm, it makes for complicated "strategy" for DL advocates. To some extent, calling public attention to the DL mills -- including "outing" holders of DL mill degrees -- helps to rid us of bad schools. On the other hand, it may ironically promote the public image that DL = mill. Thus, a job applicant who sports a Thomas Edison B.A. may find the employer ignorantly responding, "oh, I heard about THOSE schools on [fill in the program]." And that will be the risk until public awareness of legitimate DL options takes greater hold.

I think the best way in which to sway minds on this is when current employees take the time and effort to educate their employers about the value of supporting enrollment in a DL program, showing how this new learning will benefit all involved. It's much easier, and much more effective, than to make the same case as a job applicant.

 

Succinctly stated, Bill. And this is the frustration for me everytime I see the USA Today ads. It would be bad enough to have one or two questionable schools tucked away in a mix of solid schools, but for every school advertised to lack recognized accreditation is disturbing.

USA Today is read by millions, and the perception many will walk away with is that DL and a $200 Ph.D. from a mill are one in the same.

 

I've just had a closer look at the USA Today classifieds. What an amazing collection of schemes, scams, and scatterbrained notions. The dozen-or-so dreadful school ads are a wee drop in the bucket. Ten times as many "get rich quick" schemes and multi-level marketing, a bunch of "sell your baby to us" adoption services, and, in another location in the paper, a bunch of "win at gambling" services. Those $200 doctorates may be the most legitimate thing there.

 

If the $200 doctorates are the MOST legitimate thing there, then the USA Today classifieds deserve a slot on America's Funniest Videos!

Seriously, I enjoy reading USA Today, but the classified section sounds like a tabloid.