See http://www.degreeinfo.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000347.html http://www.degreeinfo.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001260.html for previous discussions on this board. ------------------ Kristin Evenson Hirst DistanceLearn.About.com
Century is unaccredited, though at times they have claimed accreditation from a bogus agency. They also have been playing duck and hide with the regulatory agencies of several states. There are definitely better options available. Bruce
I'm just so very confused about all this accreditation issues here. By the way, I am doing my homework. I've already posted a few emails to some of the distance education experts at AED. The feedback (and thank you all again)I received are quite different. If I understood correctly, there seems to be 3 types of accreditations-- recognized accreditation, accreditors that chose not to be listed by the US government, and those that are fake. One of the emails I've received today states the following, perhaps someone can help me out here... Hello John, Recognized accreditation is solely for the purpose of financial aid only. The State education government is the competent authority for overseeing the operations of postsecondary school. Century University has a very well documented state license, and is accredited by an accreditor that is specifically specialized in distance-education, and hence, has requested not to be listed by the United States Office of Education along with other traditional accreditors. If you look at www.nmche.org you will find that the chairman of the NM Commission on Higher Education holds a master's degree in Public Administration from a licenced university in that state. Century University is also listed in the National Center for Education Statistics, Directory of Post Secondary Institutions,Degree-granting Institutions. In addition, CU's disseration committe all have traditional, terminal degrees... Anyhow, what I'm hearing from your input are quite different. Are we talking about the same school? Thanks, Joey
Originally posted by Joey: I'm just so very confused about all this accreditation issues here. By the way, I am doing my homework. I've already posted a few emails to some of the distance education experts at AED. The feedback (and thank you all again)I received are quite different. If I understood correctly, there seems to be 3 types of accreditations-- recognized accreditation, accreditors that chose not to be listed by the US government, and those that are fake. Well, that would be the position held by schools with fraudulent accreditation. Basically, there are legit accreditors and bogus ones, and maybe one or two agencies (NOT the one that Century is claiming) in between. The business about accreditation being primarily for financial aid is a complete crock. That happens to be one *byproduct* of legit accreditation, but it's by no means the primary purpose. *Regional* accreditation is essentially a peer-reviewed form of quality control, in which schools programs are, for all intents and purposes, reviewed by schools of a similar class. The description is somewhat imperfect, but probably the most acurate shorthand for what RA actually represents. DETC also provides a similar quality assurance level, albeit, by most opinions, the DETC-accredited schools are held to a much lower quality and ethical standard than the RAs. One of the emails I've received today states the following, perhaps someone can help me out here... Hello John, Recognized accreditation is solely for the purpose of financial aid only. Bullshit. Standard millspeak. The State education government is the competent authority for overseeing the operations of postsecondary school. More bullshit. More standard diploma mill apologia. Century University has a very well documented state license, I'd love to know what a "poorly documented" license is. Basically, this means they pay for their renewal each year. They fail to mention that, as Rich Douglas has stated, their substandard programs are grandfathered in, and would not qualify under current New Mexico standards for postsecondary licensure. and is accredited by an accreditor that is specifically specialized in distance-education, and hence, has requested not to be listed by the United States Office of Education along with other traditional accreditors. In other words, a fraudulent accreditor. Give me a break, *no* legitimate accreditor "requests" not to be listed. This is a millspeak way of saying that the accreditor is bogus, doesn't meet standards, therefore doesn't qualify for DoEd recognition. If you look at www.nmche.org you will find that the chairman of the NM Commission on Higher Education holds a master's degree in Public Administration from a licenced university in that state. Last I heard (from Neil), the chairman's degree was from Century. Classic conflict-of-interest if ever I saw it, particularly at a school with a history of highly questionable activities. Century University is also listed in the National Center for Education Statistics, Directory of Post Secondary Institutions,Degree-granting Institutions. In addition, CU's disseration committe all have traditional, terminal degrees... And Berne University, operated from a one- room office in New Hampshire and a block of rented hotel rooms in St. Kitts, is recognized by the completely non-rigorous Nevis ministry of education, which *technically* makes it a GAAP-qualifying school. Number of RA school registrars who would accept a Berne degree? Very, very close to zero, if not absolute zero. (Based on John Bear and Rich Douglas' research, as I understand it) The point is that managing to find a tiny speck of legitimacy in an otherwise less-than-wonderful program still yields a less-than-wonderful program, no matter how you slice it. Anyhow, what I'm hearing from your input are quite different. Are we talking about the same school? Yup. The same school that for years touted accreditation from the absolutely awful and completely fraudulent ACI, the accreditor busted by the FBI. The same school that has moved across state lines to avoid the minimal California standards, which the school couldn't meet. The same school that sent out phony "Guides to distance learning" books that mentioned Century as an excellent school, without mentioning that Century produced the guide. The same school that doesn't meet current standards in the state in which it is licensed. If you want a degree from this extremely less-than-wonderful program, have at it. You can look forward to honing your debate skills, because you'll spend your entire life attempting (mostly in vain) to defend your substandard credential. With so many legitimate, accredited options, there simply isn't a good reason to consider an unaccredited degree today... unless you're attempting to defraud an employer or get a degree by doing substandard work. Those are the only two possible reasons I can think of to consider the unaccredited route.
The content of this statement is as bogus as a three-dollar bill. There is no inherent relationship between accrediting distance learning institutions and being listed by the USDofEd. The DETC is a legitimately recognized accreditor that also is "specifically specialized in distance education", but is listed by the US Office of Education. The info you are getting is laden with rationalizations.
Yes, it is the same school, with two dramatically different spins. Theirs is designed to obscure the truth to get you to enroll. Mine is a desire for the truth. I have no vested interest in your--or anyone else's--decision about where to enroll. Do what you want to do. But do it knowing the full truth. And every time a Century lie gets brought up, I'm going to counter it with the truth. That goes for degree mills and other bad schools as well. Rich Douglas
Yes, we are talking about the same school. Century is NOT even licensed as a baccalaureate or graduate college in New Mexico. It is licensed ONLY as a career school in New Mexico. How could a career or a trade school award a PhD? Fake in my opinion. Ike
To be fair, Century is allowed to award degrees. But the state of New Mexico doesn't approve of them. (Take that, those who would trumpet Century's licensure as a sign of legitimacy from the state!) The website says: The State of New Mexico provides limited regulation of academic programs offered by private institutions. The New Mexico Commission on Higher Education is authorized to license private career schools and non-accredited degree granting institutions operating in the state. (Emphasis added.] Although the Commission sets standards regarding issues such as faculty qualification, credit hour requirements and administrative procedures, the focus of the regulations is on consumer protection. Consequently, licensure with the Commission does not constitute endorsement or approval of an institution by the Commission. (Emphasis added.) Translation: we'll let you do it, but we don't endorse it. 2LTQ! ("Too Legit to Quit!) Rich Douglas
Rich, If New Mexico does not endorse a CU degree, nor does any private accrediting agency, nor any USDoE recognized agency, then who endorses the degree? CU? Russell
I thought that the endorser was Neil Hynd? Joey, The bottom line is that if you want a credible American degree you will want to go with a regional accreditor. DETC options you may want to consider. That leads to the question as to what you want the degree for and how do you plan on using it? John
"Endorse" as in recommend? Only its apologists. "Endorse" as in sign? Only its perpetrators. Rich Douglas
Joey, So far, we have: 1)the standard millspeak 2)fraudulent accreditation that was busted by the FBI 3)Rich's excellent source from the New Mexico Commission on Higher Education, stating that "licensure with the Commission does not constitute endorsement or approval of an institution by the Commission." 4)1 loyal endorsor and the 5th is....(drums...drums...drums) In the CU catalogue, you'll find the following: "Century University degree certificates are printed on superior quality parchment suitable for framing. Doctoral certificates measure 12" X 14", and Bachelor and Master certificates measure 7" X 9". Go figure Cheers, Byran
Make that two, Bryan! At least a partial endorsement. About three years ago I sent for a Century catalog, which I promptly received. The mailing folder in which it came was constructed of above average quality, the print was very nice and the shiny embossed seal on the catalog certainly looked professional. So I have to commend CU for the above. Russell, Giving honor where honor is due!
