Question for any Berne University Graduates

Dr. Bear made a comment on the Accredited/Unacredited forum that it would be nice to hear from some Berne students/graduates with regard to how the Federal Aid actually works. Is it just for the residential portion of studies (ie on St. Kitts).

I would also like to know from graduates how their degrees have been received. Have any been able to get recognized credential evaluators to give them equivalency with US Schools. The reason this is important is for all the talk about accreditation by St. Kitts no one has been able to provide proof that a foreign credential evaluator will give equivalent of accredited status to Berne. I know the two I spoke to said no. One was very blunt and the other went into the whole University of the West Indies thing. Someone from UWI was blunt and said no.

North

 

quite timely

Hi North:

I consider your posting quite timely, as it was only yesterday that I received my course-by-course evaluation report (PhD, Berne University) from an agency that is a member of both NACES and AACRAO.

I can assure you that I am aware of three agencies (NACES-member) that have evaluated Berne U degrees as equivalent to doctoral degrees from regionally accredited institutions.

I am based in NY and teach at an established 4-year college (which required listing in the International Handbook of Universities before appointment).

I recently saw an advertised NY civil service position and upon inquiry was directed to the following link, the reason I sought evaluation of my degree.

http://www.cs.state.ny.us/announ/mainpages/degrees.htm


I graduated from Berne University in 1999 (1995-1999) from the College of Health Services (with concentration in Epidemiology). The evaluation report (2 sections) reads as follows:

SUMMARY OF EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Mr. ------------ attended Berne University, International Graduate School, College of Health Services, St. Kitts, West Indies, 1995-1999. He was awarded in July 1999 the “Doctor of Philosophy” in Public Health – Epidemiology, which is equivalent to a U.S. Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in the same discipline, from a regionally accredited university.

The second section details all the courses with US credit equivalence, and concludes with the following:

Recommended Class Level: Graduate
Grand total semester hours: 60

As advised by many schools and organizations, it is important to find an evaluation agency whose personnel are familiar with the system of education (country/region from which you graduated). Finally, Berne University is listed/detailed in all the major directories (including the World Higher Education Database – CD ROM) used by NACES and AACRAO.

Feel free to contact me directly for further information ([email protected]).

R. Alim

 

Mr. Alim,

Not to question your veracity, but why did you blank out the name on the report and then still sign your name on the bottom. Maybe I am missing something.

Tony

 

I intended to provide the general format of the report, having read the evaluation statements of two other graduates.

Be assured that the information provided is 100% accurate.

R. Alim

 

Oh, okay, I'll take your word for it.

Tony

 

Which evaluators were these? How were the evaluations conducted?

Could you please give us some references to research being published by Berne scholars? If Berne is producing Ph.D.s who are able to find teaching positions, Berne must have some kind of profile in the world of scholarship.

 

oh......................you're no fun Bill.


Tony

 

Re: quite timely

Greetings R. Alim. Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post. Which three evaluators are these? This would be helpful info for those considering the school.

Thanks.

North

 

Bro Berne Graduate!

Hi all,

Well since the Berne discussion is alive again, I couldn't help but jump in and stir it up a bit!

It just so happens that this week my bro completed and graduated with his Phd in Education from there.

It took about two and 1/2 years of intense work. It included a month on the island of St. Kitts/Nevis with the monkeys! (there are many there), an oral defense, close supervision, and ended with a 300+ page dissertation.

I'm more impressed with it more than when he started. It is recognized for his purposes as a teacher and was a personal goal.

Since this is not anecdotal but first hand experience, it can be surmized that it is far more than a diploma mill as many paint a picture of.

Well that's enough! I'll enjoy reading your responses!

BAH
Humbug101

CSU DBA Student

 

Re: Bro Berne Graduate!

The burning question for me is where is it recognized "for his purposes as a teacher." Is this a state, country, or some other entity that recognizes the Berne degree? If just his local school are they aware of Berne, does the district have requirements for the position that the Berne degree qualifies for? Some specific information would be appreciated.

Thanks,

John

 

Re: Re: Bro Berne Graduate!

It would be interesting info as would the info about the foreign credential evaluators. It does not look too genuine when
*BerneGrad* who was on the board never showed up again to post the response.

I have never said Berne was a mill. I have some beef with the life experience credit and mis steps with false accreditors early on. I have no first hand knowledge of the quality of Berne. It may well be the equivalent of Union Institute, Capella, etc. The problem is that the only demonstration of utility is that it lacks a great deal for those who need the degree evaluated by a foreign credential evaluator to use it. No one has ever put forth the name of one willing to give equivalency. I have contact two and got a curt answer from one (NO) and a more diplomatic response from another involving the UWI link. The person who finally responded to me from UWI said no recognition or acceptance on their part (at that time).

It is one of these deals where if there were something genuine to put forth then put it forth. Berne apparently has not even bothered to take care of the concerns of Oregon which considering that it makes your degrees illegal for use in that state would seem that if you could correct the misperception you would.

North