Threat of the week from... the University of Alternative Studies

Well, it's been a little while since we've had a good threat, but tonight we received one.

Comes now the proprietress of the fine University of Alternative Studies, one Theresa M. Kelly, and her threat, while slightly more coherent than the typical threat-of-the week from an unwonderful school proprietor, nonetheless contains the typical insinuations of threats and equally typical lack of understanding of libel and defamation law:

When, oh when will people learn about the Streisand Effect?

There are several curious things about this "school" that set it apart from the schools that typically send us a "threat of the week", and also several things that set this "school" apart from the typical bogus school... but there are also a number of factors
that are typical of unwonderful schools, so it's probably worthwhile to talk about them a bit.

First, Ms. Kelly describes herself as "Dr." Kelly, but nowhere on her website does she explain where she received her degree. In her threat, however, she admits it's a religious and non-academic degree. OK, then, that being the case, why is she using it as part of the marketing for her academic, university website? (To give credit, she apparently does, at least, have a high school degree, though I've not actually verified this fact.)

You can't have it both ways... if you're going to hold yourself out as a qualified professor of an academic institution, it's pretty disingenuous to then state that your degree is "legal" even though it's non-academic. I love circular logic like this.

Second, while the school does, in fact, clearly state that it's not accredited, it falls into the typical degree mill trap of justifying why they're not accredited. In this case, the "school" website has an entire page of apologia on why they don't qualify for regional accreditation. That's always a huge red flag... and in this case, their stated argument (as is nearly always the case) is bullshit, since there are at least three other RA schools offering parapsychology programs (including two schools that are the alma maters of people on the University of Alternative Studies "advisory board")

Third, Ms. Kelly, who is the president (and the source of the threat), in her bio and in the "faculty" section conveniently tapdances around the fact that she apparently has no legitimate academic credentials at all; each of the board members list a CV, but in place of a link to a CV, she lists, as her qualifications, a link to academia.edu, which will allow anyone to post a paper, regardless of their credentials or qualifications.

The school itself apparently has no faculty whatsoever, save for the president... who has no academic credentials to teach. This casts a pretty negative light on the claims that the academic requirements of the school are "rigorous", as there's apparently no one with any academic credentials to evaluate the standards for academic rigor.

The board of advisors (who are apparently not actively involved in providing any of the educational services) do seem to have legitimate credentials relevant to the topic material, but no mention is made of their actual involvement; a close reading indicates they're more likely "window dressing" than actually involved in day-to-day provision of educational services.

My issue with organizations like this is in marketing deception; I'd have no problem if the proprietress of the school didn't claim bogus credentials, didn't claim to be a university, and simply offered classes. There are a number of small schools and other educational institutions out there in this field who offer courses, training programs, and classes in parapsychology and other related topics, but don't hold themselves out as universities, don't misrepresent the academic credentials of those who are doing the teaching, and don't even bother offering accreditation apologia because they don't offer degrees.

I'm also going to break rank with many others here and say that I have an open mind to parapsychology studies. There are a number of legitimate schools out there offering regionally accredited degrees that include this material, and many other unaccredited schools (that don't claim to be universities), that are well regarded within the parapsychology and related communities. This could probably be a fine institution offering unaccredited, but still valuable classes and education if it wasn't misrepresenting the teaching credentials of the (apparently only) faculty member, and making claims of being a university when it's really just one person offering what may well be some worthwhile classes. And one person, with no academic credentials, does not a university make.

Really, I don't think the intent of this program is to rip people off, as with so many of the other threat-of-the-week fraudulent schools we discuss here. Nonetheless, the school does not do a good job of marketing itself honestly, and the defamation claim, given the circumstances, is pretty laughable.

In short, while this "school" isn't as shady as the typical unwonderful that we see discussed at degreeinfo, and is likely a well-meaning attempt to provide classes on a topic that some consider worthwhile... they aren't exactly representing what they're doing in the most forthright manner.

 

She does in fact list it on her LinkedIn page.

Theresa M. Kelly, MsD. | LinkedIn

She also loosely refers to it when describing her "metaphysical/physical counseling" practice (Psychical Education & Counseling | Psychic Kids & Adults - Theresa M. Kelly, MsD.), but does not connect "ordained minister" with her honorary doctorate from ULC (which doesn't seem to be listed on the University or qphysics websites).

My guess is that professional regulations in SC allow her to be referred to as "Doctor" in this sense, since it is a professional doctorate of what she is practicing (ordained ministry through ULC). She is doing what ordained people in other religions do... counsel and provide religious education. So, what's really wrong with this picture other than not having ULC listed on her business websites?

 

1) The MsD is not a professional doctorate. All professional doctorates are legitimately earned degrees.

2) The source of the MsD is the ULC. The ULC instantly ordains online, and then, from the ULC "Ministry Store" one can purchase the MsD for $32.95. Metaphysics Certificate | Universal Life Church Monastery If South Carolina law allows the use of the title "Dr." based on a $32.95 purchased honorary degree, that law is in serious need of revision.

3) Legitimately "ordained people in other religions" do not provide legitimate religious education (degrees) in a legitimate religious academic institution based on a $32.95 doctorate that may be purchased from a ministry store.

 

I love how she claims that University of Alternative Studies' site is a legitimate non-accredited institution. However, she has Google Adwords for making extra money from advertisement.

By the way I need a little education here, what does "MsD" stand for? Master Science of Doctorate? or Doctor of Master Science?

 

Everyone is somewhere. Everything is somewhere. This thing is in Minnesota. Except it isn't

The Whois listing I found says this person is in North Charleston, MN. However, the zip code listed is for North Charleston, South Carolina. The street address (4781 Apt Blvd) looks fake, too. There is a Way Apt Drive in Holly Hill, right up the road, and it has a street address that matches:

4781 Way Apt Drive, Holly Hill, SC

Her Linkedin page indicates she's in SC, too.

I wonder what South Carolina officials would make of that? They don't list this thing, but certainly they'd be proud to do so.

On what basis does this thing measure up to being a university? Academics? Not that anyone can tell. Recognition? Nope. Legal? Doesn't appear to be. Certainly there must be some basis for this thing to call itself a university. I wonder what it is?

(nb: The thing offers a "B.S." degree. No doubt.)

Real universities do not behave like this.

 

If you go to the ULC website, click on "Ministry Store," along with other paraphernalia you will find the Doctor of Metaphysics certificate for $32.95. Metaphysics Certificate | Universal Life Church Monastery

 

If it comes from a person's profession, such as practicing as an ordained minister of a religion, is that not a professional doctorate? My father was ordained by the Southern Baptist Church. He needed no prior education and was voted in by his peers. Not a regulatory board of any sort. How different is this than being approved by the ULC after applying online? After his ordination he was able to call himself "Rev.", although he had no formal religious education. Titles are titles, and no religion is more legitimate than any other. Especially in the US where we all have free choice to believe whatever faith is out there as long as we are not hurting anyone.

Also, referring to it as an "honorary doctorate," as she does, still provides her the opportunity to call herself "Dr." in her line of work. Such is stated by her ordaining authority. Being ordained by ULC and having this degree, she is allowed to use "Dr." as her religious title. It is not an academic one. As long as she is doing the work of ministry as an ordained person, she is able to use whatever title her religion/church grants to her.

See the following ULC page which states that the ordained holder of this Doctorate (D.D.) is allowed to refer to themselves as "Dr.": Doctor of Divinity - Get Ordained - Become a Minister - ULC

 

Hmm

ULC offers Jedi Knight Certificate...okay, now I'm interested

Jedi Knight Certificate

 

Totally. Become certified in what you already know! Just like CLEPs.

 

I've also heard that Elvis is alive and Santa Clause is real.

 

So have I!!!!! Although in the future, you might want to refer to them by their religious titles... Dr. Elvis the Divine and Darth Santa, Esq.

 

Boy, and I thought the people on this message board were good at finding cheap degrees that lead to good jobs! This woman paid $32.95 for her piece of paper, and now she charges $75/45 minutes for an initial "evaluation/intake," and $50/45 mins after that. That's nearly the pricing of a real therapist; you know, one who actually went through training that involved more than taking their credit card from their wallet.

This lady's got chutzpah, I'll give her that. Only in America!

 

Read her disclaimer, which is at the bottom of her profile: Disclaimer: Prof. Kelly is not a medical doctor, state licensed mental health therapist, psychologist or counselor, therefore, Prof. Kelly can not provide a diagnosis, or any form of counseling that amounts to mental health services, as defined by the state of South Carolina.

It seems like people are bent on bashing this person without any objective look at what she is doing. First, like I've been pointing out... her "Dr." is a religious title that she uses to practice as an ordained religious person. It means just as much as if she was authorized to call herself "Master Toast Maker." Religious titles are just titles and only matter for the work that people do.

Second, she charges $75 for a 45 minute intake. Sanjuro, you claim that this is more than a "real therapist" charges for an intake. By that I assume that you mean "psychotherapist," but you can correct me if I am wrong. I am a mental health counselor, work as a family therapist, and I diagnose psychological disorders. Psychotherapy intakes are usually an hour or hour and a half and can cost anywhere from $75 to $100. A standard hour with a psychotherapist is around $75 (without insurance)... and depending on the therapist can even cost anywhere from $150 to $200 per hour. On another note, my physical therapist charged me $150 for an intake.

Third, she is not performing psychotherapy or mental health counseling. This is stated on her website and in the disclaimer above. She is working as a psychic, and states that in her title of "PSYCHICal Science Education & Counseling." She is also much cheaper than a lot of psychics who can charge up to $200 for an hour session. She charges $50 for a 45 min session.

I am upset to see so many people bashing one person blindly and with so much guff. This is a higher education board. There are PhDs posting in here as well as masters degree holders all the way to potential DL students. If people are not able to practice critical thinking skills on this board, how does this reflect on the overall efficacy of online/distance education? Not well, in my mind.

 

Well, one must be completely blind not to see how this scam artist "Dr." Theresa M. Kelly" conducts her business. What she did to the logo of Florida International University, for example, is already a clear enough illustration (unless one is blind) of what type of person we are dealing with here.

 

You sure about that? I think perhaps it's you that aren't taking a very close look. The disclaimer there is a CYA, a way for her to jump past legal problems. Doesn't mean she's not running this "practice" with the intent to pass herself off as a legitimate "scientist" and "philosopher" when she's neither. She's someone who paid around $40 for what she erroneously calls an "honorary doctorate." Do you think it's honest to call something that you simply pay for an honorary anything, let alone a doctorate? If she wanted to be totally honest, she'd say she received her $32.95 novelty certificate, not her honorary doctorate. But I'll move on.

This one is an unfortunate vagary of the English language, that "doctor" has both a professional meaning, as in medical doctor, an academic meaning, like a Ph.D., and the religious doctor. I don't buy your Master Toast maker argument. The problem is, Master Toast Maker couldn't possible be confused with any other professions; when you're calling yourself a "doctor" while simultaneously promising "answers" and "self-discovery,' legitimated through your "honorary doctorate," which entitles you to be called a "Professor" and "Educator," and that you provide "psychical counseling," it's obvious you're using the word "doctor" to obfuscate the truth. You give her far too much credit because of that disclaimer.

Actually, I said quote the opposite. I said, and I quote myself here, "That's nearly the pricing of a real therapist." Nearly, meaning a bit less. So I didn't say she charges more than a real therapist, but rather less.

And I'm upset that on a board dedicated to higher education of the distance variety, someone is so willing to write out a lengthy apologia for an obvious charlatan. It is "universities" like these run by "professor-doctors" like this woman that is perpetuating the stigma of distance education. I hope the obvious theft of Florida International University's logo posted by OpalMoon above helps sway your opinion; in my opinion, that's just one more nail in the coffin in regards to her integrity.

 

The plot thickens...

Most of this has already been covered in commentary by other posters. However, the part that caught my eye was "Degrees offered are only Second-Degrees, and non-accreditation is mentioned onsite along with what one could do with such an education, with NO bells or whistles - the hard cold truth."

I believe this is the first time I've seen a "school" such as this raise the defense that they offer only "second degrees." This would indicate that they only accept individuals who already have (presumably accredited) bachelors degrees. Except... they accept anyone into their courses with or without a degree, so while they may only issue the bachelors degree to someone who already has a degree... I would still question their authority to issue even a second bachelor's degree since, as Rich indicated earlier, neither South Carolina nor Minnesota, depending on where the "school" is claiming to be domiciled, allows unaccredited schools, as far as I know.

 

If you're reading this, Theresa M. Kelly, perhaps you could address the following points. I find them among the most offensive:

1) Why do you keep referring to a $33 certificate you purchased from the Universal Life Church as an "honorary doctorate"? An honorary doctorate is usually a degree granted--not purchased--due to outstanding achievement in a certain field. Was your doctorate bestowed upon you for the same reason, or did you simply purchase it without having proved any sort of excellent in your field?

2) How do you answer the charge that you ripped off Florida International University's logo? Is that type of behavior acceptable for a "university," which is what you claim to be running?

Signed,

Sanjuro, JK

(JK = As an honorary Jedi Knight, I am licensed by the State of New York to offer advice on internet message boards on any topic I choose.)

 

I am not "bent on bashing" Theresa Kelley. What I am saying (regardless of who it is) is that purchasing a $39 doctorate from a "Ministry Store" and using the title "Dr." based on that piece of paper poses grave concerns.

 

Yes, you did say that. I apologise for quoting you wrong.

I also want to clarify that I am not posting on here to be apologetic. My focus in this has been just to keep things objective and clear. We all have perceived ideas of how things should "be," which are not always the way that things are. And I can see your frustration with the fact that her religious title of "Dr.", no matter how she acquired it (it always could have been free instead of $32), is associated with so many other professional and accademic positions. There is a lot of grey area that seems uncomforateble to people here, but is OK in the United States because of laws that make it free for different religions to exist.

And the discussion around AUS's logo is interesting. However, there are accredited schools that "steal" and "borrow" characteristics from seals logos all the time. For instance, notice the similarities between the logos of Landmark College (the only college in the US which requires an IEP or Autism/Asperger's to apply) and Thompson Rivers University in Canada. Both are legitimate schools, and both have suspiciously similar logos. One had to have had their logo first. How is this different?

 

While these logos share some common elements, they are very, very different. It's likely one was influenced by the other, but I think anyone would have a hard time arguing that one actually infringes the other. The same cannot be said for the University of Alternative Studies; that logo is an absolutely identical mirror image of the one it was stolen from.

I don't get why you're so bent on defending this program.

Unless it claims domicile in a state different than any of the states that it appears to be in, it is likely not operating within the confines of state law in South Carolina or Minnesota, unless it's claiming a religious exemption, but with talk of "academic rigor" and "scientific inquiry" that's sort of a difficult argument to make.

As previously stated, it appears to have no faculty save a President with little if any academic credentials, yet it offers "bachelors degrees" (albeit, *second* bachelors degrees) and offers a ton of less-than-accurate apologia as to why it's not accredited, and has little to indicate its coursework is worthy of college-level scholarship.

As I've stated before, if it simply held itself out as the efforts of an individual who wanted to share information about a topic she considers important, and made no claims of offering degrees or other academic credentials, I'd have no objections. But it's not really kosher to be presenting it the way they are.