Why do schools not get accreditation?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Gert Potgieter, Jan 4, 2002.

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  1. Although this has been discussed in various threads in the past, I am particularly interested in whether there are a few consistent reasons why so many schools do not pursue and obtain accreditation. I am thinking here only of legitimate schools led by well-meaning people, and not of schools that operate in specialized areas (such as religion, etc). For example, why does California Coast not get DETC accreditation, and why does a strong DETC-accredited school such as ISIM not get regional accreditation? Is it because of one or a few specific reasons, or is it because of a general lack of quality and resources? Is it the cost of the accreditation process itself, or is the cost of addressing deficiencies too high, or is there a structural problem with the way the university is set up?

    Looking at the SACS guidelines, I can see challenges (but no complete roadblocks). For example, satisfying the following requirements may be somewhat difficult but not impossible:

    • The effectiveness of a graduate program depends largely on the scholarly stimulation obtained when a group of students interacts with faculty in complementary specialties. ... The institution must provide an environment that supports and encourages scholarly interaction and accessibility among the faculty and students consistent ...
    • The institution must ensure that students have access to and can effectively use appropriate library resources.
    • The institution must monitor whether students make appropriate use of learning resources.

    Does anyone have any comments or suggestions?

    Also, assuming I were to start a new DL university and wanted ultimately to pursue regional accreditation, in which of the six regions would I be most likely to succeed?
     
  2. George Brown

    George Brown Active Member

    I assume the reason many do not seek DETC accreditation is that they would not be permitted to offer PhD's. For many unaccredited US universities this is their biggest cash cow in the Asian markets.

    Cheers,

    George
     
  3. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    The following is opinion:

    I've contended that schools like CCU and California Pacific University do not want to be accredited, even if they could be. The changes necessary to their programs would change their entire business model. They would need to add staff and full-time faculty, make changes to curricula, expend tremendous funds on documetation and self-study, introduce residency requirements, and many more.

    These schools market their programs to a different market than the one served by accredited schools. (People seeking degrees largely for their own personal reasons and, in some cases, for specific professional reasons.) Making the changes necessary for accreditation would render them unable to service that market.

    Regarding DETC, these schools would have to drop their doctoral programs, degrees which I suspect are a central part of their business models and significant sources of revenue. Also, DETC would likely require more structure in the courses leading to their degrees.

    Regarding the move from DETC to RA, no school has yet done it, perhaps for some of the reasons above. Also, DETC recognition answers the normally-ignorant question, "Is it accredited?" The increased benefit of RA may simply not be worth the increased costs and administrative/academic changes and burdens.

    Rich Douglas
     
  4. David Boyd

    David Boyd New Member

    The College for Financial Planning was first accredited by DETC (under their old name) and later by NCA. They still hold accreditations by both organizations.
     
  5. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    That’s a very good question because since I started dabbling in distance education, I’ve wondered if schools like the University of Phoenix (UoP) could maintain their accreditation in my region (The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools). Do the regional bodies execute the same criteria for accreditation?
     
  6. David Boyd

    David Boyd New Member

    Today, due to their political and economic power, the University of Phoenix could be successful in any region. Their founder originally failed with WASC.

    John Sperling, the UOP founder, wrote a book about a year ago which details their accreditation history. ("Rebel with a Cause")
    Recommended reading for anyone interested in this topic.
     
  7. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Okay, but their own timeline says they were accredited by both in 1995. http://www.fp.edu/aboutCFP/timeline.asp

    Further, DETC says CFP was accredited in 1995. http://www.detc.org/content/degree.html#CFP

    Neither makes any mention of being DETC- or NHSC-accredited under a different name.

    The timeline does mention previous ownership by the National Endowment for Financial Education, but the transaction to UofP took place in 1997, after accreditation. And it doesn't indicate a name change, just a change of ownership. And nowhere does it indicate the school was accredited by DETC prior to 1995.

    I see in Bear's Guide 12th that the school was listed in the "Unaccredited, Non-resident" category (pages 207-8). This was in 1995, and the book notes the college's candidacy for RA. Because the timelines for RA are considerably long, it is presumed their candidacy with NCA took place prior to 1995. That would mean it occured prior to DETC accreditation (remembering that both DETC accreditation and full RA occured in 1995).

    I'd love to amend my statement, but it remains that no school has gone from DETC accreditation to RA. A couple have done both simultaneously, but that's it.

    Rich Douglas
     
  8. drwetsch

    drwetsch New Member

    Another school that was at one time both DETC and RA was the Center for Degree Studies in PA. They went back to being just DETC but I earned 12 RA credits from them in 1982 -- the transcript states that they had Middle States Accreditation.

    John
     
  9. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    I didn't know this. BG 6 chronicles UofP's struggles with the Arizona Board of Regents, but notes UofP's candidacy with NCA (after UofP split from the accredited St. Mary's College). Nothing is said about a failing with WASC. Was it Phoenix or some other venture? UofP has always--to my knowledge--been located in Arizona, and WASC's jurisdiction is limited to California, Hawaii, and the Pacific.

    Rich Douglas
     
  10. Thanks to all for the replies. I have ordered the Sperling book. I also looked more closely at the CalCoast website, and I see that you can get a PhD for $4,600 (if I read correctly). With such a slim revenue per student, significant faculty interaction and monitoring of student activities would be impossible. Rather depressing, because how could we possibly provide legitimate education in a market with such pricing. [​IMG]
     
  11. David Boyd

    David Boyd New Member

    I stand corrected on the timing of the College for Financial Planning accreditations. Rich is correct on each point.
     
  12. David Boyd

    David Boyd New Member

    Sperling was a tenured professor at San Jose State. He implemented what was later to become the UOP model in a joint venture with the University of San Francisco. USF was attacked by WASC and Sperling retreated to Phoenix. The rest, as they say, is history.
     
  13. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member


    Which is soooooo like WASC, the Taliban of RAs.

    Rich Douglas
     
  14. ahchem

    ahchem New Member

    Isn't that the truth, lol.

    However, having attended four seperate colleges that were WASC accredited, it does give you some peace of mind knowing that there in NO DOUBT that your credits/degrees will be accepted everywhere.

    Jeff
     

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