How to list a degree?

I have a friend that has graduated from a couple of schools. The questions that they posed to me was how to list their degree(s) if they should and also the schools that they graduated from have changed their name.

If a person graduates from a school that in non-accredited should this be listed in their credentials? If so, should it be listed along with those degrees that are from regionally accredited ones, or should there be a designation to list it as a non-accredited degree? The school in question has been debated on here, and isn't a diploma mill. In other words, the student didn't pay a fee and just get a degree. They actually took courses for it and did receive an education, it is that the school isn't accredited. Or, do you feel it is best to never list an unaccredited degree?

The student also graduated from a school that is nationally accredited by the DETC. So the issue of accreditation isn't that this school isn't accredited, but that it is a nationally accredited one. Should this also just be included with the regionally accredited ones, or should this also have a designation that it is nationally accredited?

The last question is that the student has graduated from a couple of schools that have since changed their names to a different name. There are some that say that you should list it as to the name that is listed on the original degree. However, there are some that say that you should list the name of the new school since it is the same so if it ever had to be referenced and so forth. What is the opinion of others on this and what have you done if you have had this experience?

The problem as to the name change of the schools is that when listing this on any kind of qualification, it seems to me that it looks weird to put the name of the new school, and say formerly .... school. This is where the issue stems in and one that needs to get some feedback.

Thank you.

For those universities that have undergone a name change, I would personally list the degree as:

B.S., Whatever, ABC University (now known as BCD University)

For non-accredited universities, I personally would only list the degree if I lacked other suitable credentials. Also, only if it is legal to use it for promotion or gain. Otherwise, I would list it with my other credentials as:

B.S., Whatever, ABC University (non-accredited)

You could not mention its non-accredited status at all and put the burden on your prospective employer to find that out. But that could also backfire, and make it look like you were trying to pull one over on them.

I would make no differentiation between NA and RA degrees.

Q: If a person graduates from a school that in non-accredited should this be listed in their credentials?
A: I would not especially if they have accredited degrees. By listed unaccredited ones it could taint the perception of the entire education section

Q: The student also graduated from a school that is nationally accredited by the DETC. So the issue of accreditation isn't that this school isn't accredited, but that it is a nationally accredited one. Should this also just be included with the regionally accredited ones, or should this also have a designation that it is nationally accredited?
A: I would never “qualify” a school as NA or RA. Many people might not have a clue what that means. I suggest just listed the RA schools unless the NA school is in a completely different field and critical to the job they are applying for.

Q: The last question is that the student has graduated from a couple of schools that have since changed their names to a different name.
A: I would say list the original name. The explanation can come during the interview process.

I do not list my BS/MBA from California Coast University because I have RA degrees that cover somewhat of the same material. I have an MS from Touro University International and they have changed their name but I still list it as the old name – that is what it says on my diploma and transcript.

Thank you for your reply.

I agree with you and told my friend that they have their regionally accredited degrees and by listing an unaccredited one it could diminish things. In example, if someone were reviewing the persons credentials and came across a school that is non-accredited it would paint the picture that they found something that was not accredited and undermine their reputation.

Another person had the opinion that as long as the person had regionally accredited degrees that so long as this was part of their credentials and that those were at the same degree level or they had a more advanced one that was regionally accredited that listing the unaccredited one wouldn't be so much of an issue, but my opinion is that again as previously stated if one does find even one degree that is non-accredited that could become a stumbling block and ruin the overall perception.

In terms of the nationally accredited one I also agree with you that it shouldn't be listed as well if it isn't something that stands out significantly or is an entirely different field other than that of the regionally accredited ones.

Sure my friend has worked hard for their degrees, but to me equally important is to present a good foundation and by listing either the nationally or unaccredited degree it opens up too many can of worms which is unfortunate. But, in this day and age you want to present a good image and not taint the big picture. The only time I would advise them to list them is if it is a field that is close to what they took with the nationally or unaccredited degree, and the issue of accreditation wasn't a factor in making that determination or perception.

I would probably list only those from which I'd earned a credential, especially if the credit earned elsewhere were transferred to whatever schools from which I'd actually graduated. If there were a school where I'd earned a lot of credit without transferring it anywhere, I suppose I might list that if it were relevant.

I would also list any school regardless of whether it were accredited. Accreditation is not the same thing as academic legitimacy, it's simply third party verification of that legitimacy. I believe in Oregon (and only Oregon) one is supposed to note degrees from unaccredited schools as such, but I'm not a lawyer and that may be out of date.

-=Steve=-

I was able to persuade my friend that with my opinion and that of the first responder to the forum that listing the nationally and unaccredited degrees was out of the question.

The issue arises that any form of nationally or unaccredited schools doesn't meet the standard level of acceptance as that of a regionally accredited degree. That is not to undermine others who have graduated from a nationally or unaccredited degree, nor to say that those credentials aren't worthy of some recognition.

The problem posed is that when one lists a nationally or unaccredited degree on ones qualifications that there are those that could find issues with its legitimacy. I would say that a nationally accredited degree is an accredited degree and therefore listing that wouldn't have the same stigma as that of a person listing a totally unaccredited one.

In the case for my friend, the nationally accredited one doesn't standout or isn't in an entirely different field as that of their other regionally accredited degrees. So it wouldn't be prudent for them to list the nationally accredited degree. In reference to the unaccredited one, it is in an entirely different field, but the issue becomes that when it is unaccredited it raises red flags.

Each person will have some various forms of interpretation, but in the case of my friend this seems to be the appropriate outcome. In terms of the school name change, I agree that it is best to list the name for which it is printed on the degree and when it was originally earned. And, if there is a question that arises later it can be answered. The point is that there is a record of the name of the school and that it is accredited.

Many employers don't care if the degree is NA or RA as long as the degree is from recognized university or college.
(Some positions require RA + PA or Specialty accredited degrees, design Engineers usually are RA ABET degree)

For example a friend has degree from NA university in the field of CIS
And RA degree in the field of management.

Employers today value versatility, many of Engineers, Analysts and Computer professionals deal with proposals, business requirements, project management, reporting,
and many other activities that not all of them are tough in the Engineering or Technology, or Computer Informatics major.

He is proudly listing his AAS EET (NA) Cleveland Institute of Electronics Year XXXX
(NA) not indicated on the resume just for this discussion.

BABA - Regents College (of the SUNY - Now known as Excelsior College) Year XXXX
Exactly as listed on his resume

BCIS - World College (NA)

MBA IT - WGU estimated graduation Year XXXX

Then under certifications he lists his vendor and vendor neutral cert's.

The only time I think one may not want to include the old university name is if at the time they studied the university that was unaccredited and during their study when they graduated the university gained accreditation or old named university had a scandal or some bad reputation.

For example University of Atlanta was known as less then wonderful Barrington University. The school began having problems with the State of Alabama as early as 2000. The state threatened to revoke its operating license. State investigators determined that Barrington had been operating out of the offices of a secretarial and answering service.
A U.S. General Accounting Office investigation found that Barrington was offering degrees for a fee based solely on life experience and requiring no classroom experience.

By 2008, the State of Alabama was conducting a crackdown on such schools operating in Alabama, requiring that all be accredited or actively seeking accreditation by October.

The new owner who purchased the school for 300K cash + 700K loan made wise decision, they changed the name to leave behind the past and mandated the school get on the path of improvement to the DETC standard and eventually earned NA accreditation.

This is an example when one may not want to list the old schools name.

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Originally Posted by Lerner

By 2008, the State of Alabama was conducting a crackdown on such schools operating in Alabama, requiring that all be accredited or actively seeking accreditation by October.

The new owner who purchased the school for 300K cash + 700K loan made wise decision, they changed the name to leave behind the past and mandated the school get on the path of improvement to the DETC standard and eventually earned NA accreditation.

This is an example when one may not want to list the old schools name.

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In this example wouldn't that be wrong to claim a degree from a school you really did not graduate from? In this case the person would have graduated from Barrington (and worked at the level of a Barrington requirement) not the University of Atlanta.

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Originally Posted by Lerner

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BABA - Regents College (of the SUNY - Now known as Excelsior College) Year XXXX
Exactly as listed on his resume

..................................

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Regents College was not SUNY, it was USNY.

The poster that discussed the Barrington University and the change to the University of Atlanta. I don't agree with your rationale to use a different name of the school as the other poster that replied to your post stated that if the student graduated under Barrington University it would not be that they graduated from the University of Atlanta.

That to me is being untruthful and clearly is a means to justify something for which is clearly wrong and not proper whatsoever.

delete delete delete

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Originally Posted by potpourri

The poster that discussed the Barrington University and the change to the University of Atlanta. I don't agree with your rationale to use a different name of the school as the other poster that replied to your post stated that if the student graduated under Barrington University it would not be that they graduated from the University of Atlanta.

That to me is being untruthful and clearly is a means to justify something for which is clearly wrong and not proper whatsoever.

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I repeat what I posted.
Notice that graduated after the name change.

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The only time I think one may not want to include the old university name is if at the time they studied the university that was unaccredited and during their study when they graduated the university gained accreditation or old named university had a scandal or some bad reputation.

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Ian thanks for the correction.

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In this example wouldn't that be wrong to claim a degree from a school you really did not graduate from? In this case the person would have graduated from Barrington (and worked at the level of a Barrington requirement) not the University of Atlanta.
Randell

PhD, MS, MBA, BS

"You're neither right nor wrong because other people agree with you. You're right because your facts are right and your reasoning is right-and that's the only thing that makes you right. And if your facts and reasoning are right, you don't have to worry about anybody else." - Benjamin Graham

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I meant graduated after the name change.

One option for an unaccredited degree if its say a reputable one in say religious studies is place it under other education as something like:

Bachelor of Bible Studies (BBS) for [insert school], Unaccredited -personal interest degree-

Then its clear you have this degree and earned it, its not accredited and was for personal interest I would think most employers would find a degree like this something showing you can complete a degree and it was earned. But not something immediately relevant to the job.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OutsideTheBox

One option for an unaccredited degree if its say a reputable one in say religious studies is place it under other education as something like:

Bachelor of Bible Studies (BBS) for [insert school], Unaccredited -personal interest degree-

Then its clear you have this degree and earned it, its not accredited and was for personal interest I would think most employers would find a degree like this something showing you can complete a degree and it was earned. But not something immediately relevant to the job.

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Then why list it as a degree? You can list it as:
Additonal Studies
Bible Studies
Humanaites Studies

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Originally Posted by Randell1234

Then why list it as a degree? You can list it as:
Additonal Studies
Bible Studies
Humanaites Studies

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But it is a degree, so why not list it accordingly?

-=Steve=-