Virginia Theological University

Virginia Theological University, aka University City (www.vtu.edu).

Claims a Virgina licensing exemption, but there seems to be little emphasis on theological education (despite their name).

They're emphatically unaccreditated.

Displays a "Professors without Borders" logo
and claims to (additionally) offer education for Kabul University students since Kabul University has been shut down since 1996 due to turmoil in Afghanistan. It is true that Kabul University has been shut down, but I couldn't find corroboration that VTU has any official standing in this respect.

The tuition fee is interesting: $1/day of enrollment.

The degree offerings (VTU's and Kabul's) are a bit muddled (esp. graduate degrees) due to cut-and-paste web work; otherwise, the site is attractive.

 

Perhaps Rich could drive over to Richmond and take a look at their "campus."

Russell

 

A reminder that they have the longest single listing of any school in the 14th edition of Bears' Guide (page 233).

Mostly, it reproduces the remarkable letter I got from the school's Haider Abbas after I wrote to ask a bunch of sincere questions. Abbas goes on at great length, saying things like, "I believe that your claim to fame is from from any real research and is principally based on pomposity and utter ignorance... You have proven to be an utter fool..."

Pomposity? Moi?

John "World's Leading Authority" Bear

 

No mean feat. Richmond is a 100 miles away. But I'll try to get over to it.

Rich Douglas, the hobo of higher education.

 

John,

Thanks for not fading into oblivion as you alluded you might do. Your expertise is needed in the field of DL.

Russell

 

Since somewhere on their web site they say that they have no buildings or other assets except Internet infrastructure (thus their low fees), I wouldn't expect to find a campus. It may be a waste of your time to go out of your way more than a block or two.

Regarding the gentleman that Dr. Bear corresponded with: he is the owner of the domain name; no surprise.

This site gives the sad history of Kabul University: www.afghan-info.com/Kabul/KABUNIVR.HTM . I could find few other references, although I wasn't on a holy mission or anything; I was just curious. This site makes no mention of VTU.

 

Virginia regulations regarding the exemption of religious institutions from state approval requirements:

http://www.schev.edu/html/academic/ia/iareg.html

 

Since they claim a Virginia religious exemption, it is illegal for VTU to offer secular degrees. So it seems that they offer them under the name of the now-defunct Kabul University in Afghanistan, claiming permission to do so granted by its government in exile. (They also claim that the degrees are "fully accredited".)
http://www.vtu.edu/graduate_d.asp

Unfortunately for that strategy, Kabul University is definitely an 'out-of-state' institution, and it would seem to require Virginia approval if it offers any programs in that state.

 

Where can 8 VAC 40-30-50 and 8 VAC 40-30-130 be found online? I'm trying to build a FAQ with links to state laws and regulations.


------------------
Kristin Evenson Hirst
DistanceLearn.About.com

 

Try http://leg1.state.va.us/000/reg/TOC.HTM under Title 8, and back up to http://leg1.state.va.us/000/srr.htm for a searchable database.

------------------
Bill Gossett

 

The State Council for Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV) is the higher education coordinating and regulatory body for that state.

The regulations I quoted can be found on this page:
http://www.schev.edu/html/academic/ia/iareg.html

There are links at the bottom of that page leading to SCHEV's home page and to other relevant stuff.

 

I'm sure that his impression of pomposity was based more on his own great regard and reverence in which he held you rather than on any action on your part. The other stuff was simply his own rather delightful way of letting you know indirectly that he didn't fully appreciate your questions.

 

I think this one had another name originally and did not mention Kabal (same site). I posted something about it on deja or here. Among the things that stuck out in my mind other than some of the (to say the least) odd & sometimes sarcastic sounding statements was this (which is still there):
http://www.vtu.edu/studentfaqs.asp

It is a free university and the university charges application and admission fees. The above link has the statement (something to the effect of) if you want accreditation go elsewhere we only admit 11 % of the thousands of applicatations we receive anyway. Now, some simple math says that 1000's of applications times 50 dollars is not a bad amount of change for an internet university with no infrastructure. Better hurry folks and use that credit card!

If I were him I might reproduce this agreement with the exiled government on the internet complete with whatever he has from the UN. This would be helpful to potential students. Even Trinity Seminary in Indiana reproduces parts of their Liverpool agreement. Maybe throw in some contacts for verification. Especially since the Kabal application/admission fee is even higher than VTU's X 1000's of students.

As a side note, judging by the reaction you get John I would say you are the Ralph Nader/Mike Wallace of distance education.

North

 

Since I live right here I'll take a look for you. But if you do want to make the 100 mile trek -- let me know

 

Since you live in Richmond, Sunnie, would you mind to drive over and see what is located at the physical address? Then, give us a report of your investigative activities.

According to your profile you are an online college consultant. Which college do you work for?

Russell
4 hours south of Richmond

 

You betcha -- I'm planning a drive over to Cary Street tomorrow -- I suspect it's a mailbox address -- we'll see -- I may be wrong. I worked a few years in private investigating in between and amongst my many teaching years -- if it's there I'll find it. Will let you know tomorrow sometime.

I'm an independent contractor -- have had some private clients (individuals) for whom I've done some research in distance learning areas. Have also written and taught online courses. My primary work, however, is online college level academic instruction, course design, and professional development for online teachers

*now where did I put that city map* LOL

 

Thanks, Sunnie. Nothing like DL investigative work to whet the appetite. I did the same thing several weeks ago when I stopped by High Point, NC, to look for Cranmer Seminary. CS was in the rented bottom floor of a church educational building--somewhat run down, with leaking air conditioners (window units) semi-blocking the entrance. But I did feel like the guys on Mission Impossible, Distance Learning style.

Waiting to see what you find.

Russell

 

Well it was as I had suspected -- a little privately owned mailbox place. They handle UPS, FedEx, packages, etc. as well as some mailboxes.

The owner told me that Va Theological has had a mailbox there for about 3 years -- and get this -- none of the mail is picked up at this PO Box -- it is all forwarded to another PO Box somewhere in Pennsylvania. He could not legally tell me the address (I already knew he couldn't do that) or exactly where in PA the mail is forwarded (all I wanted was a city).

The owner and his wife were suspicious of my questions. I was a little wary of all their questions about who I was and why I wanted to know about the place -- seemed a little odd and I really was not expecting so many questions in return. It was almost like they were hiding something (and no I'm NOT a paranoid person).

I just told them a friend wanted to enroll and since I lived in the area she asked me to check out the school. That seemed to satisfy their curiosity as to why I was asking about it.

*wondering if the FBI is going to come knocking on my door after showing such a persistent interest in a "college" so closely affiliated with Kabul Afghanistan*

 

Sunnie,

Thanks for the investigative work. I guess the name should be PennsylVirginia Theological Seminary, huh? And perhaps the owner thought you were a terrorist posing as a prospective student (I know, bad humor!)

Seriously, I wonder how many "schools" exist which operate via this method? The average person is not going to do their research.

Again, thanks for the information.

Russell

 

Or a prospective student posing as a terrorist.

Maybe that doesn't make sense, but I liked it--then again, maybe I've been teaching in the public schools too long.