WISR - Western Institute for Social Research

There have been a few discussions in this group about WISR - the Western Institute for Social Research. Based on those, it seems that many in the group seem to think that WISR is a solid school and a valid option for some.

In talking to people from WISR, they have been very upfront about not being accredited (only CA-approved) and say that this is because WASC won't accredit a school as small as they are. They are small, they only have about 40 students. My question is, how valid is this? Does WASC have rules about the size of an institution? I can't find anything on WASC's web site that discusses this matter.

As a secondary question then, if it is the case that they are too small to be accredited, how much acceptance of the degree would there be in the real world - particularily in the second and third tier academic market?

I like their program in Higher Education and Social Change, it is unique and there is nothing else quite like it. But, I'm concerned that it would be a waste of time and money if it's not going to be an acceptable degree. I don't expect to get a job based on the degree (I already have two accredited master's credentials that take care of what I do and plan on doing in the future), so I would be taking the degree more for my own personal interests. But, I wouldn't want the WISR degree to be a hinderance or questionable issue in the future.

Thanks for any advice.

Howard

 

There is considerable overhead in getting and maintaining accreditation. A tiny school may not have the revenues necessary to accomplish this.

I suspect WISR is more of a community than most schools. The acceptability of such a degree is probably already in place for those who choose it; they're likely people who are already part of the same community that includes others from WISR. It doesn't seem to be the kind of place someone enters "cold," hoping to get somewhere with the degree.

WISR is one of those legitimate, quaint, little schools that operates outside the accredited world. Where accreditation is a must, your degree may not do very well. But questionable? I doubt it. I'm sure you can be proud of the degree and the work that will go into it.

 

I just went to the WASC website and looked at their listing. Here are the smallest schools that they accredit, by FTE:

City of Hope 33 (This is the research arm of a large cancer hospital, first accredited in 2001)

American Conservatory Theater 55 (This is a teaching program attached to a nationally known theater company.)

RAND Graduate School 63 (This is the educational arm of the RAND Corporation, a nationally prominent think-tank.)

St. John's Seminary 64 (Catholic seminary. Shares facilities with the separately accredited St. John's Seminary College, 96 FTE students.)

Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion 67 (Separately accredited LA branch of the well known Cincinnati seminary.)

So... if WISR was accredited by WASC, it would be the second smallest WASC school. WASC seems to be looking for institutional stability, and the smallest schools that they accredit are invariably parts of something larger that serve to give the schools additional solidity.

So what WISR is saying sounds credible to me.

WASC may have kind of a cut-off line somewhere. That line might not be clearly drawn and might be a judgement call based on other variables besides size, but I do think that WISR is just... less... than anything that WASC has ever accredited. In terms of size, institutional backing, and financial and educational resources, there's just less of it.

 

hfc,

It appears from your post that crediblity is an important value to you as it is to many of us in this forum. Therefore the question to ask is whether this program is so unique and unobtainable at any other regionally accredited institution that you MUST attend an unaccredited school.

Personally and professionally, I value the crediblity of RA schools and their programs due to their universal acceptance and recognition. I would not stray from this course due to the fact that one never knows when they or their crediblity may be on the line. This does not negate the intrinsic worth of the school you are contemplating to attend. However, it may be beneficial to carefully weigh this issue when you make your final decision.

Good luck.

 

Rich, Bill, and Simon -

Thanks for your thoughtful responses to my question. You have given me some good information and things to think about. I do think that the program is unique - no other school I've talked to has the focus that WISR does or the interest in letting me focus my studies on the social implications of what I do in my work life. But, since it isn't RA, it does entail some risk - the question is how much? And that, I suppose, is something that only I can determine.

Thanks!

 

hfc,

It may be helpful to speak directly with the executive director of WASC in order to obtain his/her feedback regarding this school and your dilemma.

On several occasions in the past, when confronted with a similar situation, I found the feedback and perspective from an executive director from another RA agency to be very helpful. It provided me with the additional data I needed to make a decision concerning attending a specific DL doctoral program. Subsequently, I made the right choice.

Good luck.

 

You might want to try searching Google for "Western Institute for Social Research" and Ph.D. -- you'll find some pages that are faculty directories or CVs. For example, the Black Studies program at San Francisco State University lists a couple of individuals with WISR degrees. See http://www.sfsu.edu/~ethnicst/bls-adv.html

You could contact these individuals to ask them about their experience with a WISR degree.

 

Kristin and Simon,

Thanks, these are good suggestions and I'll follow up on them.

Howard

 

hfc,

Best of luck.

Simon

 

And don't forget there are TWO WISR's.

http://www.degreeinfo.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3316&highlight=Western+Institute+for+Social+Research

Kind regards