US Open University

Out of curiosity, does anyone know the accreditation status of US Open University. Their web site refers to the school as a "sister" to the British Open University. Is the relationship that close?

Thanks,

Jeffrey

 

As far as I can tell, US Open "shares" the GAAP accreditation enjoyed by Open University in the United Kingdom. The US Open literature states that degrees are awarded through both schools, so I guess the accreditation of Open-UK is passed on to Open-US.

FWIW, I looked at the Open-US literature, and they appear very solid academically. However, their prices are right up there with US RA schools, so I don't think there is much benefit for a US student to consider them.

The only benefit I can see is that they will admit students into their MBA program who don't have a Bachelor's degree, but only then if you jump through the required hoops (complete certain certificate programs).

Bottom line: IMO, there are much better programs available, especially to US students.

Bruce Tait

 

Thanks Bruce for your reply. I have not "heard" anyone discuss the school for a while, so I wondered what was its status.

Regards,

Jeffrey

 

Hi, Jeffrey. My understanding is that they intend to seek full regional accreditation, from Middle States I believe. Don't know whether they have become a recognized candidate yet.

The suggestion that they share in the OU-UK's GAAP status is interesting, but I don't think that I buy it. It is incorporated separately, it grants its own degrees, it operates its own programs etc. It isn't just acting as an instructional arm of the British parent.

I think the "sister" thing arises because the OU-UK is at least part-owner of the OU-US and because the American sibling draws on the British partner's long and respected experence in designing instructional materials and delivering distance education and so on.

 

The US Open University was created based on the UK OU but it is an independent university and will accredited as such. The accreditation status is:

"United States Open University is a Candidate for Accreditation by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, 3624 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19104, (215) 662-5606 (February 18, 1999):
According to the Middle States Association, "Candidacy for Accreditation is a status of affiliation with a regional accrediting commission which indicates that an institution has achieved recognition and is progressing toward, but is not assured of, accreditation. It has provided evidence of sound planning and the resources to implement its plans, and it appears to have the potential for attaining its goals within a reasonable time."

Just visit http://www.open.edu/policies/acc.asp for status of accreditation. Note it is a "sister" university of the UK OU but it is not under the control or accreditation of the UK OU. It is only offering a limited number of courses and programmes currently but I am sure in the years to come it will expand to include many of the programmes available in the UK OU.


Best regards,

Jim Carlson MA ODE (Open and Distance Education) from the IET (Institute of Educational Technology) from the Open University in the UK.

 

Thanks to all for your responses.

Jeffrey