If you had to choose.

Ok, ok, I know everyone here has some serious doubts about these schools of higher learning and they are tagged as “less than wonderful” but I think they will satisfy my needs. I’ve done a lot of homework and know which are considered mills and which don’t have RA or what not. I’ve boiled it down to four that are flawed, but do provide some education. They are Barrington University (don’t worry, I read the South Florida news articles), Century University, Bienville University, and Fredrick Taylor International University. If the members of this board had to make a choice, which one would they choose. Im looking for the best education out of the four.
Please don’t start talking about the big three, or “I’d rather die than choose any”. That isn’t the path I can, or wish, to take. Thank you for your help.

S/F
MB
P.S. Dr. Bear, Ive read your book. I wish it was more concrete when you discuss the unaccredited schools, i.e. "this place sucks!" or "eventhough they are unaccredited, they do offer a good program."
MB

 

Of the four, FTU because it (partially) operates in a state with some regulatory activity (California). Unfortunately, FTU also operates FTIU, where is delivers a great many more degree programs under the considerably more lenient Hawaiian laws. The other three operate from places that conveniently provide little or no oversight into their operations.

It is not reasonable--if one has done one's homework--to settle on these choices. Even if one was bent on getting a degree from an unaccredited school, there are others better than these.

You say you want the best education out of the four. If a good education is your concern, you don't need to pursue it within a degree program. You can learn just about anywhere. But I would infer from your post that you want a degree. If this is true, get one you can use, one that won't bite you back some day. But that would require expanding your list to include properly accredited schools.

Rich Douglas

 

Mr. Douglas,

Thank you for your promt reply. The reason I have FTIU instead of FTU, which was my first choice, is because FTU was unnable to accept me because I lacked minimum credits. I also had misgivings about FTIU because of the Hawaii registry.

When you said "It is not reasonable--if one has done one's homework--to settle on these choices. Even if one was bent on getting a degree from an unaccredited school, there are others better than these." Do you reccomend any other unaccredited school? Maybe CCU?

S/F
MB

 

Why have you settled on these four schools and refuse to consider any other alternatives? What kind of selection criteria led you to them? And why don't those criteria enable you to choose from among them?

Why are you interested in studying by distance education? Do you have a degree objective or just want to take some classes? What subject are you interested in studying? Are you interested in studying at the undergraduate or graduate level? How do you anticipate using the credits or degree you earn?

I doubt if you will consider my reply helpful. But if you are serious about asking your question and not just jerking this group's chain, I think you should think about what you are doing.

 

I do not.

Rich Douglas

 

I assume that CCU is California Coast University http://www.calcoast.edu/ who offer distant learning bachelor degrees. This school has its advocates, however for the effort required at this school you could earn a RA degree. Have you considered TESC who might be able to give you credit for experiential learning?

 

Mr. Dayson,

Thank you for your reply. There are many reasons why I have followed this path. Some of them personal, some of them educational, some economical.
I am a huge fan of DE. The USMC has had DE for years and it is very successful. Many people don't know that today in the Marine Corps, one must complete the DE course as a prerequisite to the residency courses.
I think (and I know I'm going to get a lot of flack from "The Group" on this) but today’s accreditation process, especially RA, is an old boys club, where a lot of the members fear this innovative way of learning and educating. I think a lot of today’s accreditation process is the highest form of academic snobbery. When a school comes along that offers a different format than the traditional schools (for example, the calendar of the school year.), it is almost immediately shunned. Too bad. But this is just my personal opinion. Please take no offence.

I am looking to finish my BA and MBA. The schools listed are;
a. Priced nicely, I like the idea of paying for the total package instead of per credit.
b. Offer tremendous flexibility in their calendar.
c. Are willing to accept my previous non-credit learning as college credit.
d. Are licensed by the state. (I know this means little to the members of the board.)
e. Not fly by night institutions. The majority have over 10 years of operation.
f. The possibility to finish everything within 2 years.

I have discussed the matter with my employer, and in there eyes, if the school is legally licensed by the state to grant degrees, that is good enough for them.

And please Sir, Do not infer that I am "jerking the group's chain" I would not ask for help if I didn't feel my question was legitimate and that the members of the board were experts in this field.

S/F
MB

 

If you are interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree or a masters, you need to go with a regionally accredited program. Anything less at one at these levels will limit you and you may be kicking yourself later. I am presently in a Ph.D. program at Century University and am very pleased. However, I would not recommend it for any degee other than a doctorate because the school it not regionally accedited.

Colleen

 

MR Broderick,

judging by your screen name I take it that you are in a member of the armed services. I can tell you right now that you are in for a world of hurt if you plan on utilizing any one of those schools for promotion credit. In this forum a few posts Back I mentioned North Central Institute in Clarkesville, TN.
http://www.degreeinfo.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001373.html


The are a accredited by an organization recognized by the DOE and the Military. Check out the above link...I got a friend who is also on this forum that works with me that utilized North Central when he was going for Sergeant back in the mid 90's.

Hope this helps...
PS. Listen to these guys in this forum (not me!!) Many of them are pretty sharp! i have my favorites: John Bear, Rich Douglas, Lawrie Miller, Kristen Hirst, & Tom Head!

 

Sgt:

At the undergrad level the options for a properly accredited degree are too numerous to settle for the four schools you mention. None of the four will have broad utility, and could easily cause you grief, embarrassment and humiliation--depending on how and where you try to use the credential.
A DETC accredited degree would provide much more in terms of quality, recognition and utility, than the schools you list.

A good place to begin your search for a substantive degree would be www.degree.net .
You may also visit the DETC website which lists all their accredited schools.

Russell

 

Assuming you have honorable intentions let me make a couple of suggestions. First, If you are active duty (and that is the employer you talk about????) these degrees you mentioned are unlikely to be of use. From what I remember of the army they checked to see if my foreign degree was accredited. Possibly these schools may give you promotion points just like the army correspondence courses but in my experience will not be recongized as recognized degrees.

Second point. Why not put in a little more effort and get an accredited degree. Schools like TESC recognize military experience for credit. You can do CLEP, portfolio and receive an accredited degree. Look for the thread BA in 4 weeks.

Third Point (I added one). You (military) can get a tuition free bachelors and MBA from Touro University International (a regionally accredited school).

Think before you leap Sarge. You have terrific opportunities to obtain an accredited degree at a very affordable rate (free) and one that will not cause you to have either a time bomb in your resume or embarassment later.

North

 

I should add Touro also is 100% DL and has no book costs (they are on line). So military is reeeeally free.

North

 

Colleen:

Would the same principle you speak of not also apply to the doctorate? Would anything less than a properly accredited doctorate (RA, GAAP, etc) not also limit one in one's pursuit? One who has earned a properly accredited bachelor's and master's degree should understand the value and importance of earning a terminal degree which will complement, not compromise, one's prior academic resume. While it is true that some have benefited from CA state approved doctorates, these are indeed the exception and not the rule.

Russell

 

Russel,

I believe a non RA doctorate can limit one in the academic world. It would be difficult to near impossible to get a teaching position at an RA college in a tenure track. However, in the business world (where I am) a doctorate from a state approved college or university is acceptable. In fact, in the health management field, the Century program is highly regarded.

I believe there are limitations to a non RA doctorate. One needs to be aware of these limitations going into the program and be ok with it.

Colleen

 

Colleen,

Your last post kinda hit the nail on the head. I am not looking for a college job, nor do I plan to. I also understand the limitations to a non RA degree, and am fully aware of that as I go in.

North,

(is that Ollie? I hope so!) Thank you for the recommendation. Regretfully I am in the Marine Corps Reserve, so I do not receive the majority of the bennies as my active duty counterparts. Se la vie. Degrees in the Corps are not that important as in the other services, unless you’re an officer looking for long-term advancement.

Friends,
One reason I am looking into these programs is that I'm so damm busy! Work, family, weekend warrior, friends, etc. can tie a good Marine down. Not to mention the cost of living with the cost of school.

Thank you for your imput.
S/F
MB

 

North,

Do you have a link to that university?

Thanks,
MB

 

Sgt:

While you may not be pursuing an academic position, I think you would want a degree which will be respected, and one of which you can have some sense of pride. I do not mean to imply that all unaccredited programs are worthless, however, one can easily get into a negative situation with degrees which are not properly accredited. For example, the state of Oregon has a list of schools which they deem to be basically degree mills, and consider the use of such a degree illegal in that state. So in the words of our Distance Learning Godfather, Dr. John Bear, if an unaccredited degree will meet your present and future needs, then it may work for you. The key here, I think, is to make sure it will indeed meet your "present and future" needs.

If I personally had to go the unaccredited route, I would much rather go with California Coast University than the four you mentioned. While not regionally accredited, I have never heard of a CCU degree EXPLODING in someone's resume. Even though Oregon lists CCU on its LIST, Alan Contreras states that it is because CCU is not RA, and has not applied to Oregon for recognition. I am not encouraging you to choose CCU, just that if I were given the five schools named, I would choose CCU.

Best wishes in your academic pursuit.

Russell

 

Mr. Morris,

Thank you for the words of advice. To be honest I am leaning towards CCU. It is just they are taking forever to get me started and reply! I am very excited to start....and finish.
Also, as mentioned before, CCU is authorized by the state of Cali. (where I live by the way) and has had many favorable postings by people like yourself. I even remember reading that Pres. Bush has appointed a person to his staff with a CCU degree, (that person is also the recipient of the Medal of Honor). Where I read it, I dunno!

God this is nerve-racking! More stressfull than boot camp!

S/F
MB

 

Ah, but if the quality of the program is comparable, so will the demands on your time. As for flexibility, there are hundreds of programs available in which you will be the sole determiner of when and where you work on your studies. Costs at one of the "big three" that you eschew can actually be less that at the unaccredited schools you cite.

The real issue is whether or not degrees from most unaccredited schools are easier. They are. There is a reason for that: they're substandard.

One thing I am convinced of, however, is that you have a command of the salient issues at hand. If you pursue one of those degrees, you will do so with full knowledge of what you're getting and getting into.

Rich Douglas

 

"The real issue is whether or not degrees from most unaccredited schools are easier. They are. There is a reason for that: they're substandard."

Mr. Douglas,

That bad, huh? That is *sigh* depressing.

MB

But like anything in life, Dont you get out of it what you put into it?

MB