Quality dissertation from unaccredited schools

Hello Everyone,
Does anyone know where I can submit a 270-page dissertation for academic credit?
I completed the dissertation in 2001 for the department of Human and Social Sciences, Atlantic International University. Until recently, I was not made aware of the fact that the State of Hawaii had filed a cease and desist order on AIU for falsely claiming regional accreditation.
So now that leaves me the proud owner of four graduate level papers, a doctoral dissertation and a worthless degree. So how can I get recognition for this work? Are there regionally accredited colleges out there that are willing to look at my work and offer some assistance?
Roy

(W.C. Fields - A sucker is born every minute)

 

There are no RA schools in the United States that will award a doctorate based solely on a dissertation, never mind one that's already been submitted to another school.

Some legitimate UK, Australian, and South African schools will award a research-only doctorate, but I'd be willing to bet that they will require totally new work.


Bruce

 

Let me echo Bruce's note that no legitimately accredited university (that I know of) will accept your dissertation when it has been written under some other school's supervision.

That said, there is much you can do about this.

1. Consider another, more legitimate, unaccredited school. Shop around and ask. Perhaps one of them will take you on. If so, they may or may not require new work in addition to your previous work. (While I recognize this is a possible route for you to take, I won't recommend any schools. I'm not a big fan of degrees from unaccredited schools with no intention of becoming accredited.)

2. Consider enrolling in a legitimately accredited (or foreign equivalent) school. While it is nearly certain you will have to do a new dissertation, much of the work (literature review, introductory material, even research methodology) might be recyclable. Also, expect to do a substantial amount of new learning, either by independent study, classes, or both. The particular schools run the gamut; you'll have to look into the ones that interest you and offer your particular study area(s).

Good luck.

 

I would encourage you to look at schools in the European Union. I too doubt if any university would immediately accept your dissertation and award you a degree; however, given your extensive research you may be able to reduce the time they normally require for completion. My dissertation research at ESC Grenoble concerns the demand for part-time business doctorates in the EU – so I am not that familiar with what part-time options are offered in the social sciences area. However, in the course of my research I have had conversations with EU students in the humanities that were ABD at one school and were able to use a large part of their research to complete their dissertation at another. The best advice I can give is to meet with more than one school (you can easily meet with three schools in one day in the UK or France) and negotiate the best deal you can.

 

I would agree with what has been said so far. If I were you (and assuming your Masters is accredited) I would look at a British/Australian/South African research PhD. Those are doctorates that usually have no coursework (unless deficient) and require a larger dissertation. There are a number of folks pursuing these from each of the countries I mentioned. In general they are quite affordable. In fact, the University of Zululand (equivalent of accredited South African state university) will probably cost you under 2000 US dollars for the entire program. Whether or not they have your field I do not know. I think we have had folks pursuing theology, business, and IT. As has been said it is improbable that a school will simply take your dissertation but it may be the basis for your dissertation with that school. Be prepared to work (I think brother Bill G. can attest to that).

Do not give up heart. Personally I agree with Rich and would look at accredited/foreign equivalent over unaccredited (woth the added effort in the long run).


North

 

Good luck Roy. Saffer and Oz schools are a good bet. Act fast, though: the SA rand is coming back from the dead. Last I checked, it has climbed from 10 to the (US) dollar to 8 1/2 to the dollar.

North's advice on UZ is sound. Moreover, UZ has been more sympathetic than some other SA universities to applicants with unaccredited prior degrees. The conventional wisdom is to avoid UNISA's big bureaucracy and complex application process. Do bear in mind that there are many SA universities with a range of strengths and weaknesses. Go to the SAUVCA website (use your search, I don't have the url) and take some time to check the websites of each university. Many are in the process of forced merger decreed by the minister of education, the charmingly bizarre Dr Kader Asmal--think of a Muslim Bible Bill Aberhart and you kinda get the picture; make sure that the information on this is up to date. SAns are weird about answering e-mails (or not); if something strikes your fancy, invest in some phone calls.

 

Unk - you know who Bible Bill was - impressive. An Alberta radio preacher and politician from the 1930s. Those Carpathian peasants must make it around.

 

Many Thanks

Yes Indeed! All great suggestions! Thanks to Uncle Janko, North, Denver, Rich Douglas and Bruce for your ideas. I have also come across another suggestion (from a colleague at work). There are a couple of U.K. universities that confer degrees for published work. My dissertation is only a couple of pages (graphics and statistics) short of being sent to a publishing company. I just may go this route. My other option, as you mentioned, would be to use the research for writing another doctoral dissertation-maybe through UNISA or De Montfort University.
I have found it very difficult to find a university that offered doctoral degrees in the Arts and Humanities via distance learning. The universities in the U.S. and Canada need to change their policies on distance learning and allow for these programs as part of their distance learning portfolio.
Again, thanks to those who have responded.

Roy Savia
Hon. B.A. - York University
M.A - York University
B.Ed. - University of Toronto
M.B.A. - University of Windsor

 

Re: Many Thanks

If I'm not mistaken, the doctorate-for-published-work route refers to having a bunch of stuff already published in scholarly journals. Even then, significant effort is required to "string" them together into a coherent piece of work. It almost certainly would not apply to one, unpublished (or even published) dissertation.

("Publishing" in academics doesn't mean putting out a book. It means submitting a piece of research to a journal and having one's work evaluated and published.)

Of course, I could be wrong.

 

Affordable MS in criminal justice

I am in search of an affordable MS in criminal justice that I can obtain on line and or through independent study. I want the school to be in the US and accredited. I have found a couple of schools, but the cost is near $600 per semester hour. Any help out there will be highly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Rodney V. Cain
[email protected]

 

PHD for published work

Hello, Could you clarify which universities grant PHDs for published work. I am very curious. Thanks. Hille

 

Re: Affordable MS in criminal justice

The University of Massachusetts-Lowell just started offering their CJ Master's program online. I graduated from the off-campus (residential) program, and I was very satisfied. I think tuition is about $1200 per 3-credit course.

Indiana State University offers the M.A. (thesis) and M.S. (non-thesis) in Criminology. Not sure about tuition.

Florida State University has the M.S. in Criminal Justice Studies.

Tiffin University offers the Master of Criminal Justice degree.

Boston University offers the M.S. in Criminal Justice (though this is VERY expensive).


Bruce

 

Bruce,
THANK YOU VERY MUCH for this information. I was not aware of the 2 programs at Indiana State University and Tiffin University. The program at Indiana sounds good and affordable. I plan on checking it out in detail soon. I just hope it will not be overly demanding considering my long work hours.
Sincerely,
Rodney
[email protected]

 

Also add:

Central Missouri
East Carolina
Michigan State
and Troy State

 

Re: Affordable MS in criminal justice

CSU Dominguez Hills offers a on-site and DL Masters in Conflict Negotiation (or similar) that attracts police officers.

 

A Change of Heart

I recently had a telephone conversation with an administator from Atlantic International University. He indicated to me that one of their schools in Malaysia was responsible for claiming regional accreditation. The State of Hawaii got wind of this RA claim and filed for a cease and desist order. The order was issued only to their Malaysian school.
AIU is currently accredited by Accreditiation Commission International. They may look at other areas for recognition and international acceptance. It would be nice if one day AIU received accreditation from DETC.
Best of luck to AIU in 2003.
Roy

 

Re: A Change of Heart

Being accredited by ACI is worse than not being accredited at all. Especially if one's employer finds out.