BYU Independent Study Applies to DETC

http://www.detc.org/new_applicants.html

Interesting move. I'm not sure what the benefits for BYU are here.

 

Perhaps BYU sees the benefits to the field of DL in supporting its leading accreditor. Perhaps BYU feels DETC has something to offer them in the way of creating, executing, evaluating, and improving its DL program(s).

This is the kind of thing I've advocated for DETC for some time. But it flies in the face of DETC's stance as an institutional accreditor, not a programmatic one. Perhaps they'll take the same twisted logic they used in accrediting part of the University of Leicester (and all of UNISA). Whatever, it's certainly good for DETC, and I'd like to think BYU sees some of the above potential benefits, too.

 

Pure speculation on my part, but BYU may be looking to expand its distance offerings in a way that its current accreditor would frown upon. In that case, devolving BYU Independent Study into a separately accredited body the way that Kaplan does with Concord Law School might be beneficial.

BYU could then expand DL offerings, accept all credits that their DL enterprise offers anyway, and keep thier RA accreditor happy.

That's my first guess.

 

Looks like BYU does not accept NA credits themselves.

http://saas.byu.edu/depts/transferEval/transfer_policy.aspx?lms=3

 

Man, that's funny.

They will, however, accept credits from a school that "is an institution sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." Accreditation from a higher authority, I'd guess.

 

I am a Mormon myself - but I think that's funny too Rich

Shawn

 

The joke is partially cribbed from an old Bear's Guide. No harm intended; glad you took it that way.

 

You've got me stumped ... which one?

 

The 14th Edition, I believe...

I think I remember a picture of a cherub getting a degree. I don't have that edition handy but I remember what Rich was going for.

I'm a mormon also...I think the rib was funny.

Jacob

 

Cherub getting a degree? Bear's Guide, 9th edition (1985, p. 229), has a picture of an angel conferring upon an executive the honorary degree of his choice: "We find you acceptable, sir. You will be issued a halo, a set of wings, and an honorary doctorate in the subject of your choice." Bear's Guide, 10th and 11th editions were given away to Seattle bus drivers. Bear's Guide, 12th edition, fell apart page by page, until it was thrown away by father when half fallen aprt. Bears' Guides, 13th edition to present, are newer and I do not recall such a joke in them (the old Bible College chapter had been dropped from them). Perhaps it was Walston & Bear's Guide to Earning Religious Degrees Non-Traditionally or Walston's Guide to Christian Distance Learning. Some uinaccredited seminary from Oregon with the abbreviation CBS claimed to be "accredited by God"?

 

Hi Rich,

Of course the LDS Church just has four higher ed institutions (BYU, BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii and LDS Business College), each of which is regionally accredited.

Tony (Another Mormon)

 

I think BYU gives credit for LDS Institute, too. Most major U.S. schools have an LDS Institute from what I see.

 

Why DETC?

I took a BYU independent study course years ago and I believe that in order to get a degree through BYU Independent study the policy states that one has to earn 30 credits while on campus to qualify. I don't know if this is a regional accreditation requirement or a school policy.

The DETC accreditation appears to be an avenue for BYU Independent study to offer degrees through independent study to those interested without the on campus residency requirement. It will be interesting to see if they are able to do this and if the degree is considered a DETC accredited degree offered by a regionally accredited university or what?

 

It will be a degree issued by BYU and, thus, from a regionally accredited school. The DETC accreditation is an add-on.

I hope this is something DETC is moving toward.

 

The next DETC accrediting meeting is in less than a month. I think it's likely we will know more then.

 

You are right, Bing. BYU does allow credit from LDS Institute of Religion to be transferred to satisfy part of the 14 unit religion requirement for bachelors degrees.

 

The BYU bachelors completion program was designed for former BYU students who started at BYU but did not finish (most often women who married before completing their degree and did not return or those who studied at BYU for a year or more and who moved or transferred to another school and did not finish.

If BYU wanted to offer a degree without on-campus residency, they certainly could do so without jeopardizing its accreditation. They are already RA. Since BYU's Independent Study Program is run out of the university's Continuing Education Department, rather than within theri regular academic departments, perhaps they were seeking an independent and recognized outside credential for their program.

Tony (B.A. & M.Ed. from BYU)

 

Byu

BYU is certainly famous for women getting their MRS degree. Some of the best looking women on the planet go to BYU.

 

In times past, BYU offered a short-residency Ed.D. program, back when almost no one was doing so.

But does anyone want a degree from a school named for an incredible racist?

 

I can't speak to that statement. I don't know the historical background of Brigham Young.

However, I do find it just a bit ironic that so many people of the mormon faith even visit this forum.

- Tom