Graduates from DETC programs- ?

What have your experiences been with your DETC accredited degree with your employer and potential employers? Right now, I am interested in Columbia Southern's MBA in Human Resource Management program for several reasons, including the price, the self-paced format and the courses offered. Has anyone ever questioned your degree? Do you tell them DETC is CHEA approved or try to explain your school in more detail? Do you find yourself defending your education and school often? Thanks for any responses.

Rhonda

 

Rhonda,

I'm a graduate from Columbia Southern University. I received my BSBA in 2003 and MBA/Public Administration in 2005.

I've had no problems whatsoever with employers recognizing my degree(s) from CSU and transferring my credits to other state colleges. CSU's is a unique DETC school, in that, they've partnered with several regionally accredited schools (University of North Alabama, University of South Alabama, University of West Florida). They have also partnered with local and federal law enforcement agencies, fire departments nation wide, Boeing, Dept of Homeland Security, just to name a few.

I have had plenty of job offers and opportunities with my resume and degree(s) from CSU. Going to a DETC school is nothing to be ashamed of. DETC is now in their 80th year of accrediting distance educational programs.

I've also transferred my CSU under graduate degree to Cal State, where I'm pursuing a second master's degree (I chose not to pursue a doctorate at this time).

There's a CSU graduate who was hired at Microsoft for a upper management position. This individual is now pursuing a law degree at Concord Law School, which is DETC accredited.

This forum talks a lot about limited acceptance of DETC degrees and programs. But, its best to talk with DETC graduates and get it from the horses mouth. It's not about employer acceptance. Many employers realize the value of an online degree, whether its RA or NA. The limited acceptance comes from some RA schools not accepting DETC credits for transfer.

 

Thanks for the reply, Jamie. I've seen your posts about Columbia Southern and I was hoping to hear about your experiences. How much effort was required to finish a course in 10 weeks? How many hours did you spend per week? What were the typical course assignments like?

Rhonda

 

I don't think you will have a butt load of trouble getting acceptance in the private sector. In Texas the adopted POST standards for law enforcement from the licensing board specified regional accreditation to be recognized for continuing education or academic achievement...they did so I am told because so many officers got their "life experience" degrees to get academic recognition, which at many departments means extra $$$ in your paycheck.

It was an ignorant knee jerk policy, but some of the area departments adopted it (not all) thus making my Ashworth College degree a bit more limited. I transferred my credits to a RA school to alleviate this problem.

As for graduate school, I think the RA vs. NA thing kind of takes a back seat unless you plan on teaching. A NA MBA with a RA BS would probably be accepted fine in most places including public sector work. I know in dealing with some Federal agencies that an NA degree is perfectly fine and among military circles may very well be the norm.

If you are getting a SECOND graduate degree RA vs. NA means even less.

At some point however your degree will have limited acceptance. For instance, you get a graduate degree....this will work for most private enterprises but you will inevitably run up against someone looking for specific alumni....like UT grads hiring UT grads.

I’ve not had problem within my Dept. getting my AS recognized and the Dept. I am going to next says they will also recognize it. So personally I have not met with failure because of my degree, but I still plan on finishing my undergrad work with a RA degree.

 

Rhonda,

The academic work at CSU is very demanding. It can include multiple choice unit exams (25-100 questions per exam), short essays, discussion boards, research projects/papers and proctored finals.

You have time to complete all the needed work within the 10 week time period. You just have to manage your time appropriately.

 

DETC accreditation is legitimate.

Degrees from DETC-accredited schools are not accepted by many employers. Research by me and by DETC itself backs this up. That doesn't mean you shouldn't pursue such a degree--it might very well meet your needs. But don't be shocked if a future employer--if not your current one--decides not to recognize it.

Rather than getting it from the "horses" (sic) mouth, get the facts from an unbiased source, instead of a graduate of the program who has (a) no independent information and (b) a distinct personal interest in the outcome of the question.

 

Rich is correct in his statement that based on his research done a few years ago, the acceptance of DETC degrees was relatively lower as compared to RA degrees.

What I have seen, including the experience on this forum that the acceptance seems to be catching up...

Personally, I've had no trouble with my DETC accredited MBA from Aspen University.

 

I agree with Dr. Douglas. I too graduated from a DETC accredited school. I have been turned away from several universities because of my NA undergrad. I recently applied for a state position in Pennsylvania which required a BS however, my BS was not accepted because it was not RA. Had I known what I know now, I would have pursued a RA degree w/o question. Oh and BTW, my BS is also from Columbia Southern.

 

What about an NA undergrad degree and an RA master's? Would that make a difference? Curious

 

Rich, Just curious, did you publish this anywhere? I would be interested in reading it. (seriously, not being sarcastic).

I'm often asked about such and such college at work because a lot of people know me as the guy who's "going to school" and a lot of NA and frankly unaccredited schools advertise in military newsletters like the Army Times, etc. I work with a lot of former military....I never have hard data to back up my RA argument.

 

Sounds like Dr. Douglas has just resigned from the board. But I think he may be referring to his dissertation, which should still be available at Dissertation Abstracts International, a subsidiary of University Microfilms International, now owned by Bell & Howell Learning & Information. Sorry, I don't know the weblink.

 

Hmmm...how many times has he resigned from the board now? My impression is that this is not the first, not the second, nor the third time?

I assume this means he will not amplify on his "24 years in education" due to his sudden resignation?

 

Now seriously. I doubt Rich has an agenda against NA schools, merely that he is trying to help steer others in the right direction according to his personal research.

Keep it civil.

 

I too would be very interested in reading Rich's research on this topic. I've read everything posted and published on the DETC website.

 

I've attached a research publication conducted by the DETC in 2001 titled, "DETC Degree Programs - Graduates & Employers Evaluate Their Worth."

http://www.detc.org/downloads/2001%20DETC%20Degree%20Programs%20Survey.PDF

Myself and I'm sure others would still be interested in reading Rich's research and publication on this topic.

With all due respect Rich, I've read several times about your research on "many" employers not accepting DETC degrees for consideration for employment that requires degree(s), but I've yet to see your research. Attach your research like I attached the DETC's research, so readers on this forum can compare and contrast.

I'm not doing this to antagonize you. I’m genuinely interested, as I'm sure many other readers of this forum are as well, in reading what you discovered.

 

Jamie,

Thanks for posting a link to the DETC's study...I'm off to read it right now. DETC seems the way to go for me as it is a respected but affordable option.

Rhonda

 

Rhonda,

Your very welcome. Please let it be known that I'm not trying to steer you from RA to NA or vice versa. I have no personal gain, biases or satisfaction in any students decision or outcome. I'm just trying to provide information from which I've learned over the years, what I've read and my expereince with my DETC degree(s).

I'm also a graduate from several RA schools and a current graduate student at Cal State. In comparison, RA has never exceeded in rigor and quality to that of DETC school I graduated from. In fact, many times I found myself more challenged at the DETC school verses the RA schools. The class I'm currently enrolled in now at Cal State, doesn't even compare in academic rigor and challenges that I faced at CSU.

You may find this DETC Newsletter interesting regarding the RA verses NA issue. It provides a lot of good information.

http://www.detc.org/members/Washington%20Memos/Jan%202006.pdf

Good luck in your research!

 

Hi Rhonda!

If cost is an issue for you (and you decide that attending an RA school is important to you), you may wish to look into Amberton University (http://www.amberton.edu).

The tuition is only $200/credit for undergrad/graduate programs. That's cheaper than many of the DETC schools out there!

The downside (at least for me), is that Amberton is a Christian school, however I believe that this aspect is not emphasized in the online programs.

Good luck!

- Tom

 

Hi Tom!

How are you doing? How is your class going? How is your daughter? I know, lots of questions. Thanks for the heads up about Amberton. Cost is a factor now because my company does not like to pay for distance learning degrees/ courses. They are living in the dark ages! Anyway, it's a toss up for me either to just to get the Tulane Master's Certificate in Business and the eCornell certificate in HRM and just call it a day, or to go on and get my Master's. I think at this point I want to get in and out rather quickly as I have some other fun things on my plate (I want to write a non-fiction book, start painting and start up a small greenhouse). I'm a little too fanatical sometimes Talk to you soon!

Rhonda

 

Wow this guy is impressive!

http://www.detc.org/downloads/2005%20Outstanding%20Grad%20&%20Fam%20Alumni.pdf

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