American College of Applied Science? Scam?

American College of Applied Science - Distance education degrees in animal science, dog training and behavior analysis

Their website seems legitimate, but they're unaccredited which gives me pause. I checked and they have a physical address, and a pending accreditation application. Are there any other signs I should look for to determine if this is a real college?

Thank you.

 

Their information on the Florida Department of Education seems to check out. I'm not familiar with Robert DeFranco though. He was listed as the person to contact.

 

The ACICS website confirms that American College of Applied Science has applied for initial accreditation. ACICS is a national accreditation agency, recognized by the US Dept. of Education. So it is possible that ACAS will become accredited in the future, although this is not guaranteed.

ACAC was apparently licensed by the State of Florida in January 2005. That was more than seven years ago, yet today they have only reached the initial phases of the accreditation process. This suggests that accreditation may not have been one of their top priorities in the past.

 

if you don't want to wait for ACICS to accredit ACAS, there's already an ACICS-accredited school of canine sciences - Bergin University at www.berginu.edu . This school was founded by Dr. Bonnie Bergin (Ed.D.) who, many years ago, pretty well invented the modern concept of the service dog. Bergin U. offers Bachelor's and Master's degrees.

I was unable to reach the site today. I hope that's just a glitch, as there's no web-info on the school closing, or any other bad news. In fact, I just finished reading an article on the school's move to expanded premises in Jan. 2012.

Johann

 

I called ACAS today and they haven't had any graduates yet. What is it with me and these schools with no graduates?

 

I'm assuming you are interested in their undergraduate programs because according to the Florida Department of Education (here) they have ONE graduate from their masters program. I'm not sure when their undergraduate programs were initially created. That might explain why they haven't had any graduates as of yet. I do find it pretty odd that they have no graduates but have seven years of being approved by the state.

Have you actually been to the address that's listed? A quick google maps search shows the address as a small office building that doesn't list ACAS anywhere in site. When I google mapped "American College of Applied Science" it took me straight to the P.O. Box address...which is right down the street in the City Hall building. This school may be state approved but that sends up a couple of red flags with me.

For the record, if you're considering an undergraduate program you should really stick to an DoE (regionally if you can) accredited school.

 

Acas

I am just finishing up a certificate program at American College of Applied Science. They are a legit organization and the education I have received was excellent. I am currently a 4th grade teacher in search of a career change. I did not join this program without doing significant research, and would not have stayed with it had it not met my expectations. I worked with one amazing teacher who fortunately taught 3 of my courses. Aside from her, the other teachers are not wonderful but regardless of the teacher, the content is top rate. You'll get out what you put in, not what the teacher puts in. Our required textbooks are written by well-known accredited animal experts, we are held to very high standards, and when the required courses are complete we travel to Crescent City Florida to complete a residency at Robert DeFranco's facility. I will be heading there next month. Following that I will do an internship locally in my field of Canine Behavior.