If 3/4 the way through a bogus ACI TIU MBA, should I even finish it?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by nblumer, Aug 8, 2009.

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  1. nblumer

    nblumer New Member

    I enrolled in a The Intl University MBA specializing in Enducational MGt through an affiliat here in Singapore (a so-called friend of mine runs it). I was only attracted to it becasue I am in Singapore where there are no MBAs with this specialisation and it is a year long program. I already have an MA in applied linguistics through the very reputable Ntl Univ of Singapore. Now I am painfully aware that this MBA is bogus and I am at the dissertation point. SHould I even bother to pay for the rest (I am on an installment plan and have 3000 left to pay)?
     
  2. Delta

    Delta Active Member

    Bogus?

    Why do you believe the school is "bogus"?
     
  3. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    Please provide a link to the school's website to verify exactly which school you're referring to.
     
  4. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

  5. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

  6. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

  7. nblumer

    nblumer New Member

    Elaboration and apologies

    Sorry I haven't replied. I am on a slightly different time zone than most of you i think. Also sorry for not supplying more information. The school is The International University from Independence Missouri (www.tiuonline/tiu-usa.index.htm) and it is on the ACI list. It was marketed as a legitimate accredited university and that graduates use it to immigrate, get high level jobs and go onto PhD programs. My reason for going with it is that they appeared to provide a flexible program for a MBA in the area of Educational Mgt and it was not so demanding (I work full time).

    I did it through VA consultants run by my friend and ex-colleague and counted on him to have vetted this organisation. I knew it was not recognised by the Singapore MOE but this was not impt to me at the time as I dont really need it for career advancement (I'm just interested in the specialised area of Language school mgt). THe Sing govt is quite strict with US universities and there are many reputable private Univ from the US not recognised by Sing MOE. What I didnt know, and should have checked, was that ACI was a diploma mill accreditation and that the US Ed Dept doesn't even acknowledge it. Being from Canada where such things (accreditation mills) are illegal I could never have imagined they were allowed in the US.

    Since I'm on an installment plan, the question is whether I should continue it (I have 3 more payments left) or just consider it lesson learned and cease payment. Or do I have any legal case? As I mentioned, I have paid 3/4 of it
     
  8. nblumer

    nblumer New Member

    Elaboration and apologies

    Sorry I should have elaborated more -TIU Indepedence, Missouri (ACI accredited) www.tiuonline/tiu-usa.com

    I already know about it being a diploma mill, the question is what to do when 3/4 through it and still have $3000 left to pay. I am at the dissertation stage.

    I have seen posts that suggest to that there may be some accredited Universities in parts of the world like SA that may accept it for entry into a PhD.

    Thnx,

    Nevin
     
  9. Woho

    Woho New Member

    I did a little research and found it was accredited by the Austrian government from 01/04/01 until the 07/30/03. Now they are operating without beeing recognized as a University (in Aus).
     
  10. Delta

    Delta Active Member


    Getting a degree from a "diploma mill" will probably do more damage to your reputation than good!
     
  11. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    If you owe 3k to a diploma mill, it's highly unlikely that they can do anything about it if you refuse to pay. The post immediately above this one is also sage advice e.g. having a degree from a diploma mill could do more damage to your reputation.
     
  12. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

  13. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

  14. RBTullo

    RBTullo Member

    Trying to follow their FAQ's regarding accreditation is making my head hurt.
     
  15. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    Yeaa, posting four PhDs definately seems like overkill. :rolleyes:

    I don't know anything about religious accreditation, so I'm not qualified to comment in this arena. Others will have to take up the slack. I do understand that religious accreditations are somewhat different then RA or DETC, due to denominations not wanting governments to dictate what must be in their religion's curriculum and, for that reason, religious accreditations have more latitude. Religions are free to espouse whatever theological perspective they wish, without governmental oversight or intrusion.
     
  16. BillDayson

    BillDayson New Member

    It seems that there are several iffy "The International University's" out there. To make things even more confusing, two of them seem to be located in Missouri. It isn't clear what their relationship is.

    Not in the United States or in Canada. I can't imagine a doctoral program at a legitimate university giving you any credit for study at this thing. I don't think that immigration authorities are likely to recognize it either. It might get by a few employers if they aren't paying attention.

    It sounds like you are asking for legal advice. I'm not sure that a board like this is in a position to give it to you.

    It does sound like you may very well be a victim of fraud. You might have a cause for legal action, but you would need to consult an attorney, solicitor or whatever they call them in Singapore. You might want to alert the local education ministry as well, and perhaps call the government consumer fraud people in the prosecutor's office or wherever they are.

    If I were in your place, I'd send no more money to anyone associated with this thing until I'd consulted the professionals.
     
  17. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    If you're convinced that this place is a mill, why would you want to finish it? Better to find a legit accredited MBA in Educational Management and simply not mention the attempted MBA in Educational Management from the school that you now realize is a degree mill.
     
  18. rambolincoln

    rambolincoln New Member

    Why would a bogus school make you do work for a year?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 9, 2009
  19. Bill Huffman

    Bill Huffman Well-Known Member

    It is one of the ways that bogus schools make people believe that the school is not bogus. There are examples where bogus schools require papers and then grade them by weight without ever bothering to read. Other times someone might skim through the paper and find one or two things to question and then provide a grade or ask for clarifications. It is common for bogus schools bestowing life experience degrees to ask for clarification or further information on the life experience resume. These are just some examples as to how bogus schools can masqurade as a real school.
     
  20. warguns

    warguns Member

    IIU (Missouri)

    I don't know how this degree would be regarded in Singapore. In the Us it would be considered a repulsive fraud.

    The statements about accreditation are so blatantly false that even in the pathetically bad English in which it is written, it is obviously that this is a racket.

    THERE ARE BROADLY, TWO TYPES OF ACCREDITATION SYSTEM IN USA. ONE SYSTEM OF ACCREDITATION IS KNOWN AS "REGIONAL ACCREDITATION" SYSTEM (FEDERAL) WHICH MEANS UNIVERSITIES WHICH HAVE "REGIONAL ACCREDITATION SYSTEM" GET FUNDS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. US GOVERNMENT PROVIDES FUND TO ONLY 900 UNIVERSITIES OUT OF AROUND 4000 UNIVERSITIES WHICH MEANS AROUND 22% OF THE UNIVERSITIES IN USA ARE REGIONALLY ACCREDITED. WHEREAS THE REMAINING AROUND 3100 WHICH COMES TO AROUND 78% OF THE TOTAL NO. OF THE UNIVERSITIES IN USA ALSO HAVE ACCREDITATION BUT FROM THE VARIOUS OTHER ACCREDITATION AGENCIES.​

    Is the degree granted by such Non Regionally Accredited Universities valid legally and accepted by the employers in USA or other parts of the world?

    ANS.

    YES, 100%. THERE IS NO DISCRIMINATION IN DEGREES IN USA AS IT WOULD BE AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION OF USA AND ALSO IT WOULD BE IN VIOLATION OF THE DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS OF UNITED NATIONS. ALL DEGREES ARE EQUAL BEFORE THE LAW.​

    I agree with a previous poster, any association with this fraud can only harm your reputation. As for the legal issue of future payments, you'll have to consult a solicitor in Singapore. I certainly wouldn't pay if I did not have to.

    It's a pity that non-Americans are often mislead into enrolling in these degree-mills. It's difficult for foreigners to understand that under our Federal system of government, many things are left to the individual states to regulate.
     

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