WOLI is NOT accredited by the MSA as you think...

There is a thread on this board about WOLI's accreditation with the MSA (http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25786). They are accredited by the CSS-MSA which is NOT the same thing as the MSA-CHE. The CSS-MSA accredits high schools and non-degree granting postsecondary schools. Penn Foster is accredited by the CSS-MSA as well at the Career School and high school levels. The CSS-MSA is NOT recognized by CHEA. Credits earned at WOLI will be VERY hard to transfer to RA schools. TESC has already rejected the credits.

Pug

 

WOLI Certificate

The WOLI Certificate, I am certain, has been accepted for college credit at a number of decent colleges. There is no question at all about this.

WOLI is accredited by Middle States Assocation CSS, which the proper accrediting commission within MSA for non-degree granting schools. This is basic, and stated clearly on the WOLI website.

The accreditation is well regarded by the Department of Education. It is the appropriate accreditation for WOLI.

 

Re: WOLI Certificate

Again, the WOLI Certificate is not generally accepted in transfer by colleges and universities. There is NO question about this. I agree that WOLI credit has been accepted by a few institutions, but it is the exception rather than the rule.

That the CSS-MSA accredits WOLI is not in question. The statement on the WOLI website regarding this issue was absolutely NOT clear until about 3:30 this afternoon when it was revised (following my rant on this board and a written email to the Executive Directors of both the CSS-MSA and MSA-CHE). I am very happy to see the revision.

I agree that the CSS-MSA is recognized by the USDE and is a respected form of accreditation for what it is. I also agree that the CSS-MSA is a valid accreditation option for WOLI. My complaint is, and has always been, WOLI's misleading representation regarding CHEA. If WOLI wanted an accreditor that is recognized by CHEA, there are a number of options available to it including the DETC.

Pug

 

Washington Online Learning Institute (WOLI)

WOLI's website stated explicitly in some detail that it was a candidate for accreditation with MSA-CSS. Anyone vitally interested in this could have taken ten minutes to go onto MSA's website and read about MSA-CSS. Such research would have provided all the details needed to understand the significance of the accreditation, and you would have seen WOLI listed as a candidate school.

I am certain no one ever stated to you, in writing or by word of mouth, that all colleges accept WOLI credits. The fact that you drew such a conclusion was due in the main to your lack of diligence in ascertaining the significance of MSA-CSS accreditation.

With respect to DETC, which is recognized by CHEA because it accredits degree-granting schools as well as non-degree schools, there is equally no guaranty that all colleges will accept credits from a DETC school.

 

Re: Washington Online Learning Institute (WOLI)

Yes, the WOLI website stated it was a candidate with the CSS-MSA. It also abbreviated it simply as MSA and followed it with a statement regarding CHEA's recognition. If there was nothing misleading about its statements, WOLI would not have changed the statement today.

I never said DETC accreditation, or any type of accreditation, was guaranteed to transfer anywhere. I said that WOLI credit would not generally transfer to colleges and universities. RA/CHEA credit will generally transfer everywhere. NA/CHEA credit, like the DETC, will generally transfer to other NA schools and many, but not a majority, of RA/CHEA schools. This is a well documented subject matter on DegreeInfo. I never said that anyone said to me, verbally or in writing, that all colleges would accept WOLI credit. What was said to me is that WOLI was a candidate for accreditation with the MSA, which is recognized by CHEA. The written statements on WOLI's website indicated the same until earlier this afternoon. A lack of diligence on my part? Perhaps... but any lack of diligence on my part was eclipsed by WOLI's misleading statements, in writing, about CHEA recognition of its accrediting agency.

I sent you PM a couple of hours ago...not sure if you received it.

Pug