Accreditation market; an extraordinarily lucrative industry.

Beyond doubt, the accreditation market is an extraordinarily lucrative industry.

Now the USDLA is preparing the company for start to accredit universities.

“By reviewing and accrediting distance learning institutions, USDLA provides leadership and guidance that will improve the distance learning profession.”



http://www.usdla.org/html/resources/accreditation.htm

 

I worry that as a company profits would be more important and the badge of honour contradicts the one above. Institutions can be unethical in the way they profess their wares and the accreditation promise can be taken for granted. Who assesses and evaluates this company? There should be a check and balance - rather like the judiciary, parliament or congress and the PM or Presidential Office. You would not want the accreditator to get out of hand and have underlying motives.

 

As long as US DOE and or SHEA recognize them I have no problem.

If their accreditation is in depended and unrecognized by the above then the value of such accreditation will be deminished.

They do have prominent educators and representation in the academic world.

Dr. Lloyd J. Korhonen
Chairman, USDLA Advisory Board

Texas A&M University
Center for Distance Learning Research
Director / Professor


Robert Ainsley Defense Acquisition University (HQ-PV) [email protected]
Joanne Bassett Southwest Community College [email protected]
Ray Bennett University of Iowa - College of Public Health [email protected]
Bill R. Booth American Intercontinental University [email protected]
Kim A. Bowling Air Force Institute for ADL [email protected]
Bill Brewster University of Notre Dame [email protected]
Kay G. Channell Clayton College of Natural Health [email protected]
Thomas Christenberry Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) [email protected]
Russ G. Colbert Polycom, Inc. [email protected]
Robert Colley Syracuse University [email protected]
Helen R. Connors Kansas University - School of Nursing [email protected]
Cheryl Cox Drake University


As far as it being a lucrative business,
well I remember BOE Liberia accreditation for 50,000 USD to all.

 

Looks like a legitimate action.

Possibly in a couple of years, and with incredibly hard work = a DETC competitor.

All depends, of the Federal Approvals

 

Yes, accreditation is big business. The big named distance RA programs (like AIU or U of P) are making allot of money catering to the people interested in getting their degree. Just do a Google search, and you will find a ton of websites, not directly associated with the universities themselves trying to market their wares. Look into DETC schools, average per unit hour is between $162 and $200. Personally I can't see investing $400 or more per graduate credit hour when you could receive the interaction of other students and faculty at a local RA university in your area at nearly half the tuition of those previously mentioned. Maybe you can fit night or weekend classes into your schedule.

Don't waste your money!

Sincerely,

Ray1212

 

Live classes are great but...

RA live classes for half of $100 to $200 pre credit hour? Yes, if you are talking community colleges and many state colleges. But if you are talking about most private colleges - they are way more expensive. University of Tampa's undergrad is $369 per credit and grad is $429. We are ranked toward the bottom of the cost list for private Florida colleges. Eckerd, UofM, St Leo are all higher.

 

I agree with Deb about the cost factor, would only add that many state universities aren't inexpensive anymore either.

Also, live classes are great but ...

(a). Some students learn better independently. This is especially true of visual learners.
(b.) Many students simply cannot attend traditional classes, even by night school, because of job and/or family responsibilities. But they are able to complete classes by fitting study time into their own schedules. This is especially true of adult learners.
(c). Distance learning does not have to mean NO interaction with faculty or other students. Nearly all distance classes provide interaction with faculty by email and/or phone, and many provide interaction with other students by use of private email lists or forums like this one. In fact, with some distance schools participation in student forums is mandatory. (That eliminates the trick some classroom students have of sitting in the back and keeping their heads down to avoid participation.)
(d.) Live butt-in-seat education has its disadvantages. Some students (and some professors) use class time to talk about off-topic subjects. Also, loud parties and binge drinking are popular activites on some college campuses. Neither activity adds to anyone's educational experience, but certainly has the potential to detract from the educational experiences of those who prefer not to participate in such activities.

Kit