ECOM INTELLECT and Cook's Institute

I came across ECOM INTELLECT ( http://ecomcooks.webbg.com/Eng/college/college.htm ), which is a Bulgarian organization that claims to be accredited by Bulgarian Ministry of Education. The interesting thing is that they proudly advertise that they have created a pipeline to Cook's Institute (Jackson, Mississippi) for Bachelor's and Master's degrees. From what I can gather, ECOM INTELLECT teaches English to the Bulgarian students so that they can participate in the distance education provided by Cook's Institute (which is accredited by the National Association of Private Non-Traditional Schools and Colleges). A handful of other institutions are also accredited by NAPNSC, including Columbia Southern (also accredited by DETC).
Anybody know anything about Cook's or about NAPNSC?

 

Cook's has been in operation since the 1970's, but has never been accredited by a recognized agency. Bear noted that their programs seemed thorough enough, but DETC-accredited Grantham might be a better choice.

NAPNSC has been trying for recognition by the USDOE since the late 1970's. When Western Colorado University got nowhere with its regional association, the faculty and staff there started NAPNSC. At the time, the RA's were woefully negligent regarding nontraditional schools, and DETC hadn't really gotten into the game with degree-awarding schools. Bear also notes that the guy who runs NAPNSC, Earl Huesser, has burned his bridges with a tirade against those who've denied his agency for the 7th time. The NAPNSC accredits just a handful of schools these days, but used to include some of the more-recognizable names in nontraditional higher education, including California Coast University. The NAPNSC is a dead end, and will die off with Huesser.

Rich Douglas

 

If Columbia Southern is accredited by the DETC, why would they keep their NAPNSC accreditation? Would it be smart to drop the NAPNSC accreditation?

 

Maintaining membership would seem to do no harm. NAPNSC is legitimate and employs good standards, despite its lack of recognition.

NAPNSC does not list Columbia Southern as an accredited institution, but, rather, as one who is applying for accreditation.

BTW, the head of the NAPNSC is H. Earl Heusser, not "Huesser." My bad.

Rich Douglas

 

Could be out of loyalty. NAPNSC has been trying to get recognized for what must seem like centuries, and the Columbia Southern folks might think that the presence of a DETC-accredited school on their roster might help their chances.


Cheers,

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Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

co-author, Bears' Guide to the Best Education Degrees by Distance Learning (Ten Speed Press)
co-author, Get Your IT Degree and Get Ahead (Osborne/McGraw-Hill)