new career opportunties

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by realbamapride, Jul 26, 2001.

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  1. realbamapride

    realbamapride New Member

    I have a B.S. Degree in Biology but have not been able to find a job in this field. I am currently working for a manufacturing company but would like to go back to school for other job opportunities. I have considered a Master's degree in occupational safety and health from Columbia Southern University. If anyone has taken courses through this university, will you let me know about your experiences. If anyone has any good fields of study through distance learning that I may lead to a better job, please let me know.
     
  2. karma

    karma New Member

    I have worked at two distance learning universities and unless the university is REGIONALLY or NATIONALLY accredited it is a scam. To answer your next question, no I did not work for a regionally or nationally accredited university! BEWARE and believe what you hear!
     
  3. Guest

    Guest Guest

  4. karma

    karma New Member

    Russel,

    I do not see the accredidation on the web-site, I haven't downloaded the catalog yet. I will research and give you my opinion.


     
  5. karma

    karma New Member

    Russell,

    There is not one page on the web-site that states there accredidation. I just emailed them asking the question. That isn't a good sign to me. If I am right, this is a school I have heard of before, not very positive things. Most of these universities, like the ones I have worked for, don't mis-lead you they tell you actually what you are getting, they just put it in to words that sound good. Let's see, if the credits won't transfer to a major university, you can't guarntee employer acceptance, and you can earn your degree with in just a few months, sometimes weeks, the degree isn't worth the paper it is printed on. The thing is, sad truth, most of the public doesn't care, they just want a degree, they need it for employment purposes. It doesn't matter where it's from, just sell me the degree. These universities are selling people exactly what they want, every now and then they get a person who actually wants a degree from a valid university, where guidelines are set for the faculty and the administrative staff, that's the few people (prospective students) that appear to be on this web site. If you saw what goes on behind the scenes, it's sad. These universities not only operate out of little offices, they only have a handful of people working there, the few faculty on staff are grading and evaluating people with a higher level of education then they themselves have. It is a crazy industry! I have learned if a university is not Regionally or Nationally accredited you are taking your chances. It isn't fair, I think distance education could be the wave of the future. The only reason why these other universities even get registrations is because the Regionally and Nationally accredited universities are ten times the price.

    Some Employers may accept these degrees, no university will accept the transfer credits. The employers also may change thier minds after the find out more about the "university".

    I will let you know if I hear a response from Calf Coast Univ.
     
  6. Chip

    Chip Administrator

    I think that Karma is painting with a wide brush here.

    For colleges and universities located in the US, the above statement, in my opinion, is generally true. However, as with all all general statements, there are exceptions. Almost no one would call Bob Jones U a "scam." Maybe some other things, however [​IMG]

    And likewise, the Gestalt Institute of Texas is hardly a scam, and Cal Coast, while not the wisest choice for much of anyone, doesn't (in my eyes) qualify as a scam.

    But in general, Karma's statement probably applies to the vast majority of non-accredited US based schools.

    Of course, when you get outside the US, then you have to grapple with GAAP, which is imperfect, due to huge variances in the rigor with which governmental authorities oversee programs. A school technically meeting GAAP that is located (in reality or in imagnination) in St. Kitts or Malawi or various other countries probably won't qualify for recognition by US registrars unless there are other factors that testify to its legitimacy.

    A complex thing, this... and the diploma mills are constantly looking for loopholes that will allow them to claim (incorrectly) that their degrees are equal to true GAAP or RA schools.
     
  7. Alex

    Alex New Member

    You might consider bioinformatics. Here are a couple of distance programs in that:

    MSc in structural biology, Birkbeck College, University of London
    http://www.bbk.ac.uk/study/pg2001/sci/91.html

    MSc in bioinformatics, University of Manchester
    http://130.88.90.2:8900/

    For public health related degrees, consider the following:
    MSc in epidemiology or infectious diseases, University of London (note also a number of degrees related to conservation biology or environmental management)
    http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/qualifications/postgraduate/index.html

    MPH in public health, various choices listed by the Association of Schools of Public Health, not necessarily 100% distance
    http://www.asph.org/aa_document.cfm/20/20/2960

    I just received my acceptance and mailed in my registration for one of the MSc programs at the University of London.

    Good luck, and keep the board posted on what you decide.

    Alex
     
  8. J. Ayers

    J. Ayers New Member


    Good morning!

    I took a couple of online courses through East Carolina University, and the classes were excellent. The tuition rate was affordable (DL students paid in-state rates), and the school is regionally accredited. They have a master's degree in occupational safety, and it has courses ranging from industrial hygiene to ergonomics. With your undergraduate degree and manufacturing experience, you may consider positions as a safety director, industrial hygienist, or environmental specialist. If you are interested in the ECU program, go to http://www.sit.ecu.edu/gradprog/safety.htm on the web.

    Good luck in your search!
     
  9. karma

    karma New Member

    people may think I am painting with a wide brush here, but I have actually worked in this enviroment. There are over 250 different type accrediting agencies, and in the US it is not illegal to operate as a "universtiy" without any type of accredation at all (as long as you do not claim to be something you are not or claim the degree earned there will guarntee you will be able to do something with it you can't). This is why you see adds, "law degree $95" and people actually do it. It is because these non regionally or nationally accredited universities do not hire admissions counselors, they hire sales people. They word things in a way that the prospective students feel they are finally going to beable to earn the degree they deserve and get credit with the knowledge they have obtained through thier work experience. They may say "in your state you may be able to become certified", it isn't because of thier accreditation, it is because that particular state may not require a specfic type of accredation. Regionally or Nationally accredited universities are the only universities that can guarntee transfer credit and state certification. All other types of accredation will only suffice if the employer or state do not require a specfic type of accredation. One may get lucky and pass the degree off as a traditional, it is a chance you take and one that many are willing to take. Any university can say they are fully accredited, but what matters is by who and what type of accredation is it.


     
  10. karma

    karma New Member

    Russell,

    I just received an email from Marie Lewis in the Admissions Department at CCU:


    At 02:59 PM 07/30/2001 -0700, you wrote:
    >
    >who are you accredited by?
    >
    >thanks

    response:

    CCU is not regionally accredited. CCU is approved by the State of
    California, Department of Education.

    Admissions


    I emailed her back:


    At 01:20 PM 07/31/2001 -0500, you wrote:
    >Maria,
    >
    >Thank you for your response. I am now clear that you are not regionally
    >accredited, and are approved by the State of California Department of
    >Education, what I am asking is are you accredited at all? What, if any,
    >type of accreditation does CCU have?
    >
    >Thank you,


    >No, CCU is not accredited.
    Maria Lewis

    I would say, Yes, this is a scam, it doesn't matter if they are approved by the State Department of Education, they are not accredited by ANY institution. Not a good sign......

    QUOTE]Originally posted by Russell A. Morris:
    Karma,

    What about California Coast University, is it a scam? www.calcoast.edu

    Russell

    [/QUOTE]
     
  11. uxu

    uxu New Member

    I took a cursory look at their 'academic' catalog.

    Nothing makes me think that something smells funny more than a 'school' touting their faculty on the first 18 pages...

    Additionally on page 21 - they have a topic that is called "LISTINGS" and list Bear’s Guide to Nontraditional College Degrees 14th Edition.

    Anyone know what John's guide says about Calcoast?

    ------------------
    In the immortal words of an art history major: Do ya want fries with that?
     
  12. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member


    CCU is certainly not a scam. It is one of California's oldest unaccredited DL schools. That they don't claim bogus accreditation is a serious plus. CCU was accredited by the legitmate-but-unrecognized NAPNSC, but dropped their accreditation and membership when it became clear that NAPNSC would not become recognized by the USDOE.

    The usefulness of a degree from an unaccredited school certainly varies from person to person. Most people, I would think, would find such a degree limiting. However, there are thousands of people putting such degrees to very good use. The advice John Bear and others give about unaccredited schools is that you should be very sure that such a degree will meet your current and future needs. This doesn't apply to everyone, which is why you'll see so much advice to seek out a degree from an RA school. But lack of accreditation itself doesn't make the school a scam.

    The field of distance education is marked with huge areas of grey. Those that can only see black and white miss a great deal. There are many reasons not to recommend an unaccredited school. But for those who are convinced such a degree will meet their needs, CCU is a school for them to consider.

    Rich Douglas
     
  13. karma

    karma New Member

    To say that a school is a state's oldest unaccredited school and this is supposed to be a good thing is amazing to me. When a school is unaccredited there are no guidelines to be met, no standards. That is what accrediting bodies do, set standards, guidelines for faculty, students, registrar's offices, etc. It may be a good thing that CCU doesn't claim to be accredited. Legally, they cannot! Most non regionally or nationally accredited universities don't claim to be regionally or nationally accredited universities. They to do not claim to have a different type of accredation, they just attempt to convince prospective students that the accredation they have is valid and "real" when it isn't. Sounds to me as if CCU has also sold you.

    You are right, as long as the employer or unsupecting party who is reviewing the degree earned from these unaccredited or privately accredited universities, doesn't know what type of degree it is or the individual is unfimiliar with all of this maddnes, the degree earned will be accepted.

    The usefullness of a degree earned from an unaccredited university has the same worth of a degree earned from a university with a private accredation.

    QUOTE]Originally posted by Rich Douglas:

    CCU is certainly not a scam. It is one of California's oldest unaccredited DL schools. That they don't claim bogus accreditation is a serious plus. CCU was accredited by the legitmate-but-unrecognized NAPNSC, but dropped their accreditation and membership when it became clear that NAPNSC would not become recognized by the USDOE.

    The usefulness of a degree from an unaccredited school certainly varies from person to person. Most people, I would think, would find such a degree limiting. However, there are thousands of people putting such degrees to very good use. The advice John Bear and others give about unaccredited schools is that you should be very sure that such a degree will meet your current and future needs. This doesn't apply to everyone, which is why you'll see so much advice to seek out a degree from an RA school. But lack of accreditation itself doesn't make the school a scam.

    The field of distance education is marked with huge areas of grey. Those that can only see black and white miss a great deal. There are many reasons not to recommend an unaccredited school. But for those who are convinced such a degree will meet their needs, CCU is a school for them to consider.

    Rich Douglas
    [/QUOTE]
     
  14. Bill Huffman

    Bill Huffman Well-Known Member

    Dear karma, what you state is correct for the vast majority of institutions. Unaccredited will equate to dreadful/horrible 99% of the time. So just remove one out of every 100 bristles of your brush. [​IMG]

    What I would be interested in is hearing a story or two about your experiences at one of the 99% dreadful/horrible places. [​IMG]
     
  15. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member



    In several posts you've referred to your experience working for unaccredited schools. Seeing that you brought this up, might we know the names of those schools--not to mention your name? Otherwise, is it really useful to refer to your experiences as a credible source of information and validity? Unverifiable claims are quite empty.

    Rich Douglas
     
  16. mikemayes

    mikemayes New Member


    Try the University of Findlay in Ohio, The school offers a on-line Masters in Env. Health and Safety program., After that you might think about thier MBA program, You'll be able to transfer 12 units, I think it's only a 36 unit program.

    If it does not work, see if you can do a credit bank with Regents in NY - use their process to get you in.

    Mike
     
  17. karma

    karma New Member

    You are funny Rich, I am sure you would like to know my name and the "universities" I have worked for. If you and anyone else on this board chooses to not believe me and my experiences, that is your choice. I will not release my name and the universities because I have worked in the enivorment and I know how corrupt the parties involved are. Hence the name Karma, I believe what goes around comes around. If I can advise one person to beware of the "Universities" they may be interested in registering with then I believe that is $2000 less that these con artist running these "universities" will have. By the way they were accredited, just not by a regional or national accreditation. I did not claim to work for an unaccredited university, although as I stated in the last sentence, which you didn't seem to understand, I think unaccredited and accredited by a private organization are one and the same, Not worth the paper they are printed on. If you doubt my employment and experience, as I said, that's fine. I used to speak to people like you on a daily basis, most wound up registering and making the owners very rich individuals, I saw the numbers.

    I am not going to get into a huge debate about the issuse or explain the points I have already made. If you didn't understand my point, please forgive me for not being clear.
     
  18. Chip

    Chip Administrator

    Karma,

    You're sparring with one of the most knowledgeable people on this board, and arguably on the planet, in the realm of distance learning. Rich Douglas has been involved with distance learning as observer, participant, employee, and student for something like 15 years. What he knows about accreditation, distance learning, and education can run circles around most anyone anywhere, including myself, and it's been a strong area of interest for me for about 5 years now.

    It's clear from your posts here that you simply don't have your facts straight. Nothing wrong with that, just maybe be a little more accepting when someone who knows more than you do offers information that you can learn from.

    No one is disagreeing with you that the vast majority (probably 95-99%) of unaccredited or fraudulently-accredited (i.e., WAUC, ACI) schools are a complete waste of time, sometimes fraudulent, and the degrees are usually time bombs waiting to happen.

    Cal Coast is one of a tiny handful of schools that is not in this category. I wouldn't choose it, I wouldn't recommend it, but I wouldn't automatically throw away a resume with a Cal Coast degree on it, while I would certainly do that with a Columbia State or Columbus or Trinity or American World or Earlscroft degree.

    And there is a *big* difference between a school like Cal Coast that honestly states that it is unaccredited and a school like American World, which intentionally deceives students by claiming to be accredited by a fraudulent accreditor that happens to be run by the same person as American World.

    Cal Coast students do real work. They have a real faculty with legitimate credentials. American World, by most accounts, has no faculty, and papers are allegedly graded by random people that Maxine Asher hires off the street. Big difference.

    You will not find many regular contributors here plugging unwonderful schools. But you'll also find that most of us try to be honest and evenhanded, giving a fair shake to the legitimate unaccredited schools like Cal Coast that apparently serve a good number of students.

    I have no connection whatsoever with Cal Coast, and as I've said before, I can think of few circumstances where I'd recommend it, particularly when there are so many good RA programs now. But unlike 99% of the other unaccredited schools, it is at least a credible option that is unlikely to cause a resume explosion later.
     
  19. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member


    Beyond determining your own credibility, discussing the specifics of your experiences would be very educational and valuable to all of us. But to hint around at it is not only unfortunate, it detracts from your message.

    As Chip so kindly noted, I've been at this for awhile (22 years, actually, since I first began counseling adults regarding their educational opportunities). At times it was my job, at other times, my hobby. But my experience shows that operators of bad schools coudn't care less about you. Your stated need to stay "underground" just doesn't wash. That's why I question the credibility of your experiences; no one but you can see them. Couple that with some obvious inaccuracies and you see why a rebuttal was necessary.

    This isn't personal until you bring in your personal experiences. Then those, too, become open for discussion because you open them. I would strongly encourage you to share them openly.

    Rich Douglas
     
  20. Timmy Ade

    Timmy Ade New Member

    Rich,Chip,Karma and all,
    I know very well what regional accredition is and the 5 or so Regional agencies that are involved. Now what is National accreditation ? What is/are the major difference(s) in terms of VALUE between the two systems ? and what are some examples of National accreditation Agencies.

    Secondly what will be your preference if you were to choose between reputable but non accredited schools like Cal Coast U and Marginaly meeting GAAP Schools like say Berne Univ. Or Yes CEU ?
    Thanks,
    Tim.
     

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