Why the animosity between DETC and RA?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by DegreeDazed, Apr 20, 2010.

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  1. DegreeDazed

    DegreeDazed Member

    I don't mean to open up another can of worms here, so please, let's not start another war of words. (pardon the mixed metaphors)

    I don't understand why discussions become so heated when you compare DETC with RA. Is it because one group feels threatened by the other?
     
  2. Chip

    Chip Administrator

    If you read the threads, it should be obvious.

    The people who support DETC degrees argue that DETC-accredited degrees are, or should be, equivalent in acceptance and utility to regionally accredited degrees.

    The reality is that they simply are not; there are perhaps hundreds of US colleges and universities that will not recognize a DETC undergraduate degree as acceptable preparation for graduate work, and there are (at least as of a few years ago) a large percentage of employers who require RA degrees.

    I think the conflict stems from people wanting to believe that something is true when the facts show it isn't, and arguing that it should be true.

    There are plenty of other threads where this has been discussed ad nauseum. I don't see what the purpose of starting yet another one is, but I'll leave it open for the moment.
     
  3. DegreeDazed

    DegreeDazed Member

    I don't mean to start another DETC vs RA debate. I just wonder why everyone gets so mad and nasty. Has there been a thread on that before?
     
  4. 03310151

    03310151 Active Member

    You might as well ask about the animosity between the political parties in our country right now. It can be explained in this way. Each side fears the other. Each side believes that they are right. Each side wants to convince others they are right. Each side wants acceptance/affirmation.

    Well, at some point you either bow out and go on about your life (politics and RA vs DETC debates). Or you make, what you think, is an informed choice and pick a side.

    So, pick a side (IMHO there is enough information on this board alone to make an informed decision).
     
  5. imalcolm

    imalcolm New Member

    Anyone have a list of RA schools that unconditionally accept NA bachelors degrees for entrance into graduate programs? I am working on my own list and can post it for the benefit of others.
     
  6. Chip

    Chip Administrator

    That would actually be a valuable and useful contribution. I believe that there are a couple of threads in the archive where someone has started such a list in the past, but I'm of the impression that one of the challenges is that most of the RA schools that do accept DETC degrees aren't unconditional about it; they either accept degrees from some schools but not others; some majors but not others; or the acceptance is on a case-by-case basis where factors such as additional experience, preparation, or background weighs in on the decision.

    But times have also changed and so it would definitely be interesting to try to develop such a list and then get written confirmation from the schools on the list of their policy. It could be a "falling dominoes" effect where if there's a significant number of schools that are accepting DETC degrees, more schools will follow the trend.
     
  7. DegreeDazed

    DegreeDazed Member

    I picked a side a long time ago. I respect both views and am perplexed about how heated the debate becomes. I can't see why there is so much trying to convince each other that the other party is wrong. It seems based in insecurity to me.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 21, 2010
  8. The_Professor

    The_Professor New Member

    What gets frustrating is the continual broad-brushing and mischaracterization of all DETC supporters. It’s analogous to conservatives demonizing all liberals, and vice-versa. Life is never that simple and stereotyping a diverse group as a whole merely demonstrates an unwillingness to see an issue beyond the blinders of one’s own tunnel vision. I have personally never proffered that notion that DETC-accredited degrees are, or should be, equivalent in acceptance and utility to regionally accredited degrees. Au contraire. DETC-accredited credentials are more than adequate based on my personal and professional goals and aspirations in life, regardless of their lack of acceptance and utility in some arenas which are wholly irrelevant to my reality. Continually mischaracterizing my viewpoints simply does not make it so.
     
  9. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    There is no RA vs NA debate... there are no battle lines to be drawn. The only discussion that ever occurs is between NA proponents who refuse to admit their degree's limitations and others who are frustrated with the lengths that the NA proponents will go in order to be heard.

    There is nothing wrong at all with an NA degree, and the education one receives at their school may have been superb; depending on the schools being compared, possibly even better than the same degree at an RA school. An enlightened employer might take that into consideration.

    However, the truth is that NA isn't as universally accepted as an RA degree. You can't will that reality to be different. I will take a small risk in speaking for everyone here when I say that there is no situation anyone has heard of in which NA degrees are accepted and RA degrees aren't (if I am incorrect, someone please let me know- I would be facinated to find out). The vice versa, however, is very often true.

    For some people, this distinction doesn't matter at all.

    For others, it means everything.

    For still others, they want to keep their future options open, just in case.

    The first category may go NA or RA, and either degree would serve them just fine. The second and third categories would only be wise to chose RA.

    I fall into the third category. If the same ammount of money, time and effort is required for both, I want the degree that will keep more doors open for me in the future. Once I recive my RA degree, I won't consider myself more educated than a person with a comparable NA degree. Likewise, I won't consider myself more intelligent nor worthy of honor the day I receive my degree than the day before.
     
  10. Chip

    Chip Administrator

    DETC degrees certainly have utility and are legitimate degrees. I'm also in complete agreement that for someone who understand what they're getting, and is certain that their needs won't change (or is willing to gamble that by the time they do, DETC degrees will have greater acceptance than they do now), a DETC degree can be a good option because it's often substantially less expensive than an equivalent RA degree.

    My one major objection has to do with how DETC degrees are characterized to people who don't understand the nuances of accreditation and realize the potential limitiations. As long as the limitations are disclosed when someone's asking about a degree here at degreeinfo, I don't see any reason why there should be any real issue.

    I think the problem comes from people that try to argue there aren't any such limitations, and there's plenty of data to show that isn't the case. but if those limitations don't apply to a given person's situation, there's no reason not to consider a DETC degree.
     
  11. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    If you haven't, then you shouldn't identify yourself as being of the same 'side' or viewpoint of those that do. The arguments aren't against detc nor holders of detc degrees, rather, the people who claim conspiracy theory, accuse of snootiness and start flame wars. You don't fall into that category, and, even as a DETC supporter, you aren't on the same 'side' as such people.
     
  12. The_Professor

    The_Professor New Member

    It has been my experience amongst my DETC degree-seeking peers that the majority does understand what they signed up for. Whether or not this is representative of the majority or minority I would not venture to speculate. The students who do not fully understand and appreciate the differences are making uniformed decisions based on ignorance and, most likely, laziness. Ignorance of any kind, particularly in the information age, ranks right down there with prejudice, judgment, stereotyping, bigotry and hatred in my book.
     
  13. The_Professor

    The_Professor New Member

    Not that it’s anyone’s business, but here’s some of my reasoning as to why a DETC-accredited degree from respectable institution makes sense for me at this stage in my life:

    · 51 years old and have already reached the career level that’s right for me and my family
    · PMP and other well-respected IT certifications provides more utility and opportunity than does a college degree in my profession
    · Pursuing degree at this time mostly for personal growth and satisfaction reasons, and to finish something I quit over 30 years ago (not fan of quitters, especially when it’s me)
    · 2 small children at home, a tight budget, unwilling to spend savings or take on additional debt
    · 2 years of tuition tax credits, throw in a little employer reimbursement, a boatload of CLEP and DSST exams and – voilà – I will have accomplished my goal without costing a dime out of pocket

    Not bad, eh?

    BTW, this will be my last post on this matter. Criticize and attack away if you will. I will remain unaffected… [​IMG]
     
  14. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    Ignorance (definition): the state or fact of being ignorant : lack of knowledge, education, or awareness

    I am ignorant of lots of things and not ashamed to admit it.

    But it is funny how people don't understand words. I refuse to purchase any of the popular 'Dummies' or 'Complete Idiots' series of guides because I am neither. But I might purchae an 'ignorant' persons guide if it was on a topic I wanted to learn about.

    But apart from that it is my believe that not a high percentage of the general public know what accreditation is. Just ask any graduate and often you will get a blank stare. If you check a lot of college sites their accreditation status is often difficult to find.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 21, 2010
  15. Pilot

    Pilot Member

    Why not excelsior or any of the big 3 for that matter; it will probably cost you the same if not less and you will get an RA degree accepted by all..
    It seems like a no brainer to me
     
  16. TonyM

    TonyM Member

    It's hard to argue that DETC is the equivalent of RA, but that's okay for the right student. It seems beneficial that there's an accreditor that offers alternatives. DETC should place innovation and alternative formats not available to RA schools above concerns for universal acceptance. In other words, flexibility in delivery is where DETC has an edge. Graduate programs like Taft's and Ashworth's offer advantages over RA for some students such as self -pacing and reasonable payment plans outside the Title IV system. No product serves every purpose. Students should recognize that DETC can be a problem in some settings, but can also serve the right candidate very well. Here's an example I found recently of an ideal DETC candidate who has extensive experience and a DETC degree:

    Link
     
  17. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    That's awesome!

    Did you know that the tax credits are for 4 years now?
     
  18. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    This is a good point. If DETC schools are not as encumbered by their accreditors as RA schools, (I don't know if this is true) then this becomes an advantage that could be exploited. Using techniques and technologies that might not yet be approved by the RA bodies could potentially put DETC schools out in front. Don't you think?
     
  19. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    That's how DETC became useful to begin with, but many RA programs have caught up to them. What can they do from here?

    If there was a school that had its own mobile software to access the classes, that would be great. However, it wouldn't be long before RA caught up to them...

    You know what else would be great and undoubtedly unique? If a school that operated on a similar model as University of the People could get accredited (or if it could somehow mount the obsticles and get itself accredited).
     
  20. TechGolfer

    TechGolfer New Member

    A Partial Listing of Regional Colleges and Universities that accept DETC credits:

    Many may have seen this list before:

    This is off the Columbia Southern University website:
    A Partial Listing of Regional Colleges and Universities that accept DETC credits:
    Accreditation

    It says "credits" and not degrees, so some (prob. many) of these will be case-by-case.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 13, 2018

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