Hello , I read about these today in a Home School Magazine. WWW.BUILDINGARTSCOLLEGES.US and Visible Music College visible.edu . They are interesting options. Hille
Visible Music College has TRACS Accreditation (NA - Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools) At $550 per credit hour, I feel it's VERY expensive for that level of accreditation. Isn't NA (usually) supposed to cost less than RA? :smile: It's up there in cost with (DETC) Full Sail U., but with a religious, rather than secular aspect. Also, it looks like on-campus programs only, at VMC. Oh, why not? After all, it's your $66,000. :smile: (Plus residence fees etc.) BTW - I was unable to access the Building Arts College site. I know it's located in the (old) Charleston Jail -- but that's about all... Johann
Try buildingartscollege.us. It looks pretty impressive. American College of the Building Arts.. Hille
That was the address I tried first time -- today it came up - very slowly. OMG - a State-licensed (no RA or NA accreditation) degree for EIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLARS? I like some unaccredited schools -- although there appear to be fewer and fewer circumstances where they present viable alternatives. But $80,000? Never! The material they teach is close to my personal interests - and yes - they probably know how to present it quite well. But not at this price. They're seeking accreditation from NASAD - National Association of Schools of Art and Design. That's all very nice -- and I'm sure NASAD would put them on track to deliver worthwhile programs - but as far as degrees go, it is not CHEA-recognized accreditation -RA or NA. You still get an unaccredited, State-licensed degree for $80,000. (20K a year is standard tuition). If you're interested in learning about building, it's a lot cheaper to do what I did about 10 years ago. My local Community College had just refurbed and extended its already well-recognized trades campus. I signed up for a certificate program in Residential Construction and Design. 6 courses, which I completed at night in 2 years. We cut rafters, etc. in framing, did hands-on plumbing and electrical work, learned about energy-efficient building, drew plans in drafting class, - and lots more. Regular credit courses - including lectures, exams etc. Total cost - about $1,900 with the extra, seventh course I took for interest (log building). That's $78,100 less than a degree from BAC. Building Arts College has a very attractive site - and I believe in its programs. However, the degrees are of limited utility - and as I see it, far too expensive for what you get. Johann
Full Sail is accredited by ACCSC. I've found that schools accredited by ACCSC and ACICS tend to charge astronomical tuition rates.
Yes. Thanks. It is indeed ACCSC, not DETC as I said. My error. And yes, those schools mostly do charge a lot. As I see it, some of them almost exalt money-extraction to an art form! Johann
NASAD is recognized by the US Dept. of Education as an accreditor for "freestanding institutions and units offering art/design and art/design-related programs (both degree- and non-degree-granting), including those offered via distance education." So if American College of the Building Arts gets NASAD accreditation, it should qualify as an NA institution, and should be listed in the USDoE's "Database of Accredited Post-Secondary Institutions and Programs". In practice, NASAD schools commonly have RA or other institutional accreditation. However, there are other standalone art schools in the USDoE database that have no accreditation other than NASAD (example: the School of the Museum of Fine Arts - Boston). It's true that NASAD is not currently recognized by CHEA, although it has been in the past. But for practical purposes (like financial aid), USDoE recognition is more important than CHEA recognition. There are other important accreditors, like the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, that are recognized by USDoE but not by CHEA.
Right as always, CalDog. It would be USDoE recognized as NA, regardless of CHEA. 100% legit NA standing. My error. So, if the school receives NASAD accreditation, a grad gets an $80,000 NA degree. Right now, and until that happens, it's still an $80,000 State-licensed degree. No prince of a bargain, either way. There are likely many routes to this knowledge at far less cost. One could probably buy/build half a house with the difference! Johann
