Hi - I'm new here, and interested in information. As a civil engineer, I often perform expert witness services. Now I come up against a gent who claims a BS in Civil Engineering from Columbus University. Looks like an outright diploma mill to me, but what do you folks think? Maybe I don't have the correct definition of "mill"? Thanx
Like many engineering topics, it depends, if he is from Panama and studied at Columbus University there (even though they do not have an engineering program) his degree may be valid. If, on the other hand the Columbus Univeristy is the one from "The Big Easy", which also does not have an ABET engineering program, his qualifications are perhaphs less valid. As mentioned other where, schools accredited by the WAUC (sic?) are sometimes considered less than wonderful.
Columbus University operates without recognized accreditation. That means it is not recognized as a university in academic circles. It might be mistaken for one, though, by the uninitiated. Columbus claims accreditation from the WAUC. This is not a recognized accrediting agency. Such claims cloud the issue, causing people to think the school is accredited. Being accredited by the WAUC is the same as not being accredited at all. It is a deceptive practice. Whether or not Columbus University is a degree mill is entirely a judgment call. The State of Louisiana continues to license them, despite the fact that Louisiana requires unaccredited schools to be on an accreditation track with a recognized agency. Columbus does not appear to be on such a track. But there's a difference between being out of compliance and actually having the state do something about it. Other than that, it looks great.
