US Regionally Accredited vs. Non-US Approved/Accredited

Please forgive me if this subject has been addressed prior to my joining the newsgroup. Your comments will be greatly appreciated.

I have concluded from the vibrant exchanges in the newsgroup that a doctoral program from a regionally accredited institution is probably best from the perspective that it is more likely to be received well professionally and academically for the purpose of adjunct teaching. Of course, the US RA schools are often quite expensive. Some of the schools charge approximately $500 per credit. And, it seems that the student does almost everything; the professors are there merely as guides.

For the first time I began looking at some foreign schools (mostly Australian) as an alternative. Given the aforementioned criteria (professional acceptance as well as interest in adjunct teaching), it is prudent to consider a foreign school? If foreign schools should be considered, are there any good ones that you can recommend?

Incidentally, I am interested in doing doctoral studies in Public Administration, Leadership, Human Services Administration or something similar.

Looking forward to more of the spirited exchange.

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David F

 

The issues are sufficiently complex that I now devote two full chapters of Bears' Guide to the matter -- one on accreditation in general, and one on the issues to consider in deciding between accredited (or GAAP) and unaccredited (or non-GAAP). What it always comes down to is the individual decision of whether a given degree will meet your needs -- current, and predictable future -- and the importance of doing as much due diligence as possible to come up with a clear answer to the first and a really good prediction of the second.

John Bear http://www.degree.net

 

I would add that the latter is really hard to nail down. Be as conservative as possible. If there is any doubt about the application of your degree at some point in the future, try to earn one from as an acceptable source as possible.

My very public associtiation with MIGS is an apt example. I was convinced that a properly issued Ph.D. from a recognized Mexican university would meet all my needs. I expected to do a lot of explaining at times--and to find myself excluded from opportunities without comment at other times. But that didn't matter to me; I'm set in my career. But the school didn't turn out to be what it should have been--particularly not what it purported itself to be. Had I gone too far up that road I might not have ever been able to shake free. And who knows? I might need an accredited doctorate someday.

Rich Douglas

 

Dr. Bear,

Would you believe I've had difficulty finding your book in a couple book stores here in the Bay Area? Maybe I need to check in the larger stores. Thanks for your thoughts.



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David F

 

Rich,

You are very correct about the challenge of predicting the future. I made a misstep in prediction some years ago. I opted to complete a Southwest Univerisity MBA only to find it worthless for my current endeavors. Fortunately, I was able to see the proverbial "handwriting on the wall" and re-enter graduate school in a state university and earn another masters.

When I was doing the Southwest MBA, it was inexpensive and relatively quick. Now I want to teach. A word to the wise... Now I'm being extremely cautious as I seek and find a doctoral program. I do want to teach. That is perhaps the highest test I can apply to the matter of prediction.

Thanks again.


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David F

 

Borders in Pleasnat Hill carries it (at least had it a month ago when I bought it there).



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M. C. (Mike) Albrecht, PE

 

Make that Pleasant Hill.

And on second thought, Ten Speed Press has (used to have)an outlet at there office/warehouse in Berkely.

 

There is an advertisement of an US MBA program in Peking (or Bejing) of China at the following link:
http://classad.bj.sina.com.cn/adpage/2001-12-25/9590.shtml

The course fee is comparatively inexpensive (i.e. RMB28,000, equivalent to US$3,400). Interestingly, the name of the University is not shown in English. According to the name in Chinese, it seems the university is "Southwest University" (?). The photo of the 'Principal' of the University is shown in the advertisement. The website of the representative office (http://www.shilun.com) is not workable.

Can anyone tell which University is it (according to the photo shown in the advertisement)?

 

One more information, it is located in California according to the advertisement.

 

Well, Southwest is in Louisiana. Their web address is www.southwest.edu

May be another school.

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David F

 

Here is the official list of all the regionally accredited colleges and universities located in California that offer degrees at the bachelors level and above. There is no 'Southwest University', 'Southwestern University' or 'University of Southwestern (whatever)' on the list.
.
http://www.wascweb.org/senior/list.html

All degree granting schools operating in California that are not accredited by WASC, whether RA in another region or non-RA, are required by law to be CA-approved.

BPPVE Directory of Degree granting, Non-Degree granting and Registered Institutions and Programs
Effective Date: 12/27/01
Search School Name: SOUTHWEST
  
Entries 1 - 4 of 4
   
PACIFIC SOUTHWEST ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (619) 421-7811 CHULA VISTA SAN DIEGO
   
SOUTHWEST BIBLE COLLEGE (909) 247-7116 MORENO VALLEY RIVERSIDE    

SOUTHWEST COLLEGE OF BIBLICAL STUDIES (619) 473-9066 NATIONAL CITY SAN DIEGO
   
SOUTHWEST TECHNICAL COLLEGE 559/237-1021 FRESNO FRESNO
Entries 1 - 4 of 4

None of these four offer MBAs.

BPPVE Directory of Degree granting, Non-Degree granting and Registered Institutions and Programs
Effective Date: 12/27/01
Search School Name: SOUTHWESTERN
No records found matching your search criteria
.
http://app1.dca.ca.gov/bppve/school-search/

So it would seem that your Southwest University either isn't in California or else it is operating illegally there.

 

David writes: Dr. Bear, Would you believe I've had difficulty finding your book in a couple book stores here in the Bay Area? Maybe I need to check in the larger stores. Thanks for your thoughts

Egad. What is the world coming to? Well what it has come to is that there are something like 50,000 thriving bookstores, and, at best, perhaps 20,000 copies of the 14th edition in print, which works out to the grand total of one book per 2 1/2 stores. Rather depressing, from the authors' point of view. And, I guess, a strong reason why Amazon.com, etc., thrive.

Alas, Ten Speed Press no longer has an 'outlet store' since they moved to their huge new building in Berkeley. They do seem to make a small extra effort to keep the Berkeley stores stocked (both Cody's, Black Oak, etc.), but no guarantees.

Publishing trivia and Winter Puzzler
The all-time best-selling book at the two very large Cody's bookstores in Berkeley is a Ten Speed title. Not one of mine. Not any of their million-plus titles (What Color is Your Parachute, Moosewood, Laurel's Kitchen, How to Shit in the Woods). Oh, all right, very low key winter puzzler: name that title, and I'll send you a free copy of it, or, if you own it, another book by the same author, who is, indeed, a long-time friend. Responses either here, or to me at [email protected] Decision of the judge is final. (Ten Speed is found, not surprisingly, at www.tenspeed.com, and no, I have nothing whatever to do with owning or running the company, more's the pity.)

 

I obtained my copy, John, only two days after it was released and keep it on the shelf with my numerous other versions. There are those who advocate using only the BG 1611 edition, however, I prefer the more modern versions, e.g., BG 2001 edition.

Such phrases as "Accreditation is important for THEE to consider when THOU ART choosing a school" seem somewhat archaic. Thinkest thou so?

Russell
Who is on a limited sabbatical, and will have chapter two of his thesis ready for submission in about a week.

 

Of course it is always available for sale from the fine folks at Ten Speed Press (http://www.tenspeed.com). Likewise, Amazon always has a copy or two for sale.

I also like http://www.bookpricer.com where you can find the price at a number of different online outlets.


Tom Nixon

 

Thanks to all of you. I secured a copy of the book today (Friday) in Berkeley. Thanks for the lead, John.


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David F

 

If you do a thorough analysis of all available alternatives and you arrive at two alternatives which are equal... one American and one foreign, pick the American one.

If you do a thorough analysis of all available alternatives and you arrive at a preferred one which is not American... send off your application and never look back, no worries.

 

IF you can find an American or even Canadaian school that offers top level education with truly flexible terms at a price equivalent to some of the Australian, UK and South African schools, I would agree. But, even including air fare, this is not the case that I have found.

Case in point: Masters in Project management from one of the top public schools in OZ by DL for US$7000 + air fare (allow two RT) for a total under $15,000. Doable in under three years. http://www.pmoutreach.usyd.edu.au

Side note to Dr. Bear: Do you ever do signins, particularly in the Bay Area?



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M. C. (Mike) Albrecht, PE

 

Mike: "Side note to Dr. Bear: Do you ever do signings, particularly in the Bay Area?"

They've never worked for me. I've done some fairly heavily promoted ones, such as at a Barnes & Noble in your vicinity, and maybe a dozen books are sold at best. It is nice to meet actual readers, however. (The only really great one was at the biggest store in Nashville, where I was 'enthroned' right by the front door. Very few books were sold, but I had a delightful 20-minute talk with "Minnie Pearl," a charming and sophisticated woman.

I note you're in Concord. I do donuts in Concord. When my EV-1 electric car needs servicing, Saturn of Concord is the nearest spot, and I typically sit there swilling cheap donuts and reading Black Enterprise or Golf Digest while waiting. More interesting offers cheerfully entertained.

John Bear
[email protected]

 

Sounds like my wife's experience on most of her books. Actually her best one was in Modesto of all places.

Thus goes the sad life of an author, at least your publisher promotes your books well (www.degree.net).

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M. C. (Mike) Albrecht, PE

 

There is an advertisement of an US MBA program in Peking (or Bejing) of China at the following link:
http://classad.bj.sina.com.cn/adpage/2001-12-25/9590.shtml

The course fee is comparatively inexpensive (i.e. RMB28,000, equivalent to US$3,400). Interestingly, the name of the University is not shown in English. According to the name in Chinese, it seems the university is "Southwest University" (?). The photo of the 'Principal' of the University is shown in the advertisement. The website of the representative office (http://www.shilun.com) is not workable.

Can anyone tell which University is it (according to the photo shown in the advertisement)?

[/B][/QUOTE]

The correct name of the University is "Southwest International University", as quoted in its Chinese representative office webpage which is workable now: http://www.shilun.com

The University is (claimed) located in California. Does anyone know about this university?