Hello, I am new to this site, but I hope to find out what my alternatives are regarding my supposedly degree. I enrolled in a 2 year BS program at La Salle University located in Mandeville, LA. It took me two years to earn my degree which I received in 1997. Now I find out this degree is technically worthless. I put a lot of hard work into this degree and want to know are there any legitimate accredited institutions that would give credit for this degree, or at least accept a majority of the course work that I completed? Whatever insight you can provide me would be greatly appreciated as I am unable to get any response from La Salle in LA. Thanks for your help if its out there....Mike C
Hi Mike, You should take a look at Lawrie Miller's site click here . Taking CLEP and DANTES tests might be the easiest way to prove what you have learned and get credit for it. Another possible option, if you have saved all your material from each class, is the portfolio route. I would lean towards testing out, because considering La Salle's history, it may taint the evaluators opinion. Tony
Tony's advice is sound. Since the three people who ran LaSalle at the time you were enrolled were indicted in 18 counts of mail fraud, and other charges, pleaded guilty, and went to federal prison, it is very clear that no legitimate school would accept transfer credit. So parlaying what you learned in those two years into credit by passing exams may be the best hope. The FBI recovered more than $10 million in cash from LaSalle, and refunds were offered to all students and alumni. Not all the money was claimed. If you were unaware of this, it is conceivable you might still qualify, but I don't know the details.
Hello John, Thanks so much for responding to me. Yes, I was initially aware of the FBI investigation. But when I called La Salle, they told me that if I requested a refund of my tuition costs and they became accredited, that I would have to take my degree program over again. At that time, I was told La Salle was still pursuing accreditation, so I figured I would hear some good news. Now that the news is bleak and dim, do you know of anyone at the FBI who may be able to help me, especially if there are unclaimed funds available? Again, I really appreciate all your help as I try to find a way to get an accredited degree that would be accepted by the NAC. Thx. Mike
I suspect that you fell right into their planned trap. You were probably scammed twice. Once for the initial degree and the second time with the story that lead you to believe that the degree might become accredited so you didn't get your money back. The man went to jail for FRAUD! These scam masters are very bad news. Sorry, it seems that he just wanted your money to be sitting there waiting for him when he got out of jail.
The LaSalle operation was carried out under the direction of their New Orleans field office. So that would be the logical place to ask: Federal Bureau of Investigation 2901 Leon C. Simon Dr. New Orleans, Louisiana 70126 (504) 816-3000 If you learn anything, good or bad, will you share it here; it could help others.
Mike, I think you were scammed twice. I have doubts that LaSalle will ever be accredited. If they ever do receive a legitmate accreditation for all of their programs my hat will go off to them. In the meantime I had to chuckle (not at your ill fortune) but the length they are going to hold onto their tuition gains. Get the refund -- in my opinion you are better off going elsewhere. John
Hi John, Thanks so much for giving me the FBI information. I will be calling them Wednesday morning. As soon a I hear something, I'll let you know. Lastly, the threads I've been reading indicate that Excelsior College, Charter Oak State College and Thomas Edison State College could be viable options for me to take what I've already done and help me get an accredited degree. Do you personally feel that this is the way to go? My daughter works at the University of Phoenix as an academic counselor and she can help me, but basically, they would only take so many CLEP credits and the BS degree would eventually cost me thousands of dollars and take me 3 to 6 years to complete. I'm 49 years old, have 20 years of management experience and can probably teach 50% or more of these college courses to folks. Regardless, I desire to eventually go for a masters and realize that an accredited BS degree is the only way I'll get there. Thanks again for any additional feedback and I'll let you know when I hear from the FBI. Thx. Mike
Mike, I'm not one of the experts here, but I think you've answered your own question. Pick one of the flexible threesome of eastern colleges, and get busy with that Bachelor's degree. You are a prime candidate to do it quickly and inexpensively, and then move on to a more interesting master's program. We're rooting for you. Peter P.S. Let us know if the G-men are hiring! I should say "G-persons" nowadays.
Mike, CLEP and DANTES exam will probably be your best option. I have a BS in Business from California Coast University (state approved) and used the knowledge from those classes as well as life experience to earn 51 credits in 7 weeks without any studying. The three schools mentioned will allow you to complete a BS/BA by testing out. Best of luck.
Out of the three institutions mentioned, which one would you suggest? I've started to investigate all of them and so far have found Excelsior to be the one I'm leaning towards. If any of you have heard about which one is best to work with, I'd greatly appreciate your feedback. I'll keep you all posted as soon as I get feedback from the FBI in Mandeville! Take care...Mike C
I selected Charter Oak State College. They were most flexible with a degree in Individualized Studies. I never did like TESC, they never seemed very helpful. Excelsior required more math classes that I wanted to take for a technicial degree (information technology).
Thanks so much for your insight. I'll give Charter a call to see what they can do for me. I left a message with the FBI in New Orleans, but they haven't returned my call. I'll try again on Friday! I'll keep you posted it I hear anything! Thx. Mike C.
DANTES is just for Military/Ex-mil. types yes? If you are going for a hard Science Degree, I'd recommend that you purchase a CLEP/DENTES practice book. Use these texts to evaulate your weaknesses and strengths. If the courses taken from La Salle (de bains) were as exacting as those I took from Kennedy-Western, then you might find things a tad more difficult (IMHO). Cheers...Randy
