Please Help!-International University for Graduate Studies?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by mike, Mar 28, 2002.

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  1. mike

    mike New Member

    I am wondering if anyone could provide me any information regarding International University for Graduate Studies.

    This is a distance university (Definitely licensed by St. Kitts; accredited??) that accepts applicants to its doctoral programs in behavioral health areas with earned masters degrees. They have a very brief residency at ST. Kitts and will give me full credit for 12 credits I previously earned in a doctoral progam I left at Columbia U. along with a NYS chartered (2 year) post-graduate training institute in Psychotherapy. The doctorate is 72 credits and will be granted in Family and Couples Therapy/Psychotherapy. A research component is required and oral examination of some sort.

    I very eager to gain any feedback available. I would feel terrible if I were to find out that this is nothing short of the worst diploma mill. They advertise in legitimate sources including the National Association of Social Worker sources. Again, they are licensed to grant degrees by the Government of St. Kitts. Oddly enough, there are several well known psychoanalysts that have gotten their doctorates though the university.

    IS THIS A LEGITIMATE DOCTORATE??

    Any other thoughts besides the obvious, since it is a great time saver ( I could theoretically complete the research in 5 or so months) and relatively inexpensive.

    Thanks for the feedback!!
     
  2. Bill Highsmith

    Bill Highsmith New Member

    Are you asking about either of these?
    --Berne University International Graduate School
    --International University of the Health Sciences

    You could post the web link for clarity. There has been considerable discussion about both. If you use the search facility of this bulletin board for "Berne" and for "IUHS" you'll find plenty to read.
     
  3. I think he means the International University of Graduate Studies, which is in the "Other" short residency chapter of Bears' Guide. According to BG, it's accredited by WAUC and by the "Global Accreditation Commission" (neither of which is a recognized accrediting agency).

    Definitely a "university" to avoid.
     
  4. David Appleyard

    David Appleyard New Member

    RE: Accreditation

    I had a difficult time locating the school (http://www.iuhs.edu/schoolinfo/accreditation.html), but it would appear that the school is licensed to conduct business on the tiny island of St. Kitts.

    If I were to even consider spending time, energy and money on any foreign school, and have to go through the rigors of taking the ECFMG test (along with their $1300 or so fee), I'd make one simple call...

    Contact the NY State Medical Licensing Board, first. They have a site at http://www.op.nysed.gov/med.htm or for more information, contact the Office of the Professions' Bureau of Comparative Education by phone at (518) 474-3817, ext. 300. This number is for non-accredited schools and their acceptance.
     
  5. David Appleyard

    David Appleyard New Member

    OOOPS!

    Thanks Gert, my bad.
     
  6. simon

    simon New Member

    I am wondering if anyone could provide me any information regarding International University for Graduate Studies.

    This is a distance university (Definitely licensed by St. Kitts; accredited??) that accepts applicants to its doctoral programs in behavioral health areas with earned masters degrees. They have a very brief residency at ST. Kitts and will give me full credit for 12 credits I previously earned in a doctoral progam I left at Columbia U. along with a NYS chartered (2 year) post-graduate training institute in Psychotherapy. The doctorate is 72 credits and will be granted in Family and Couples Therapy/Psychotherapy. A research component is required and oral examination of some sort.

    I very eager to gain any feedback available. I would feel terrible if I were to find out that this is nothing short of the worst diploma mill. They advertise in legitimate sources including the National Association of Social Worker sources. Again, they are licensed to grant degrees by the Government of St. Kitts. Oddly enough, there are several well known psychoanalysts that have gotten their doctorates though the university.

    IS THIS A LEGITIMATE DOCTORATE??

    Any other thoughts besides the obvious, since it is a great time saver ( I could theoretically complete the research in 5 or so months) and relatively inexpensive.

    Thanks for the feedback!



    The listing of your training and education seems to indicate that you have completed a masters degree in Social Work! The school in question has advertised in several mainstream mental health association newspapers but they are not regionally accredited or GAAP approved.

    Considering the fact that you completed psychotherapy training at a well regarded institute and doctoral level credits at an Ivy league university it would be in one's interest to make a careful and self-protective decision regarding attending any program which is not recognized by any mainstream accrediting agency.

    In addition, the APA and ACA standards of practice clearly indcate that the highest degree obtained and used to advertise one's credentials, needs to be from a regionally accredited school! If you are a social worker, it would be in your interest to review the standards of practice of your profession regarding this matter. You don't want any surprises regarding allegations of misleading clients regarding your credentials!

    The issue of schools such as this one, advertising in mainstream prfoessional association publications, is potentially problematic, because some practitioners automatically believe that if a school is advertised it must meet the standards of one's professional organization! The bottomline for the acceptance of these ads is revenue not an acknowledgement of legitimacy!
     
  7. mike

    mike New Member

    Thank you!

    I want to thank everyone who has replied to my questions regarding International University for Graduate Studies.


    I am enjoying the illuminating feedback.

    -Mike
     
  8. simon

    simon New Member

    Re: Thank you!

     
  9. mike

    mike New Member

    I think I'm benefitting. Unless someone argues ohterwise, I am not going to enroll in their doctoral program. I am too concerned with the ethics involved.

    Thanks!
     

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