I was looking at the website of Syllabus magazine (which focusses on technology in higher education). I was a little surprised to see an ad for an unaccredited degree program on a website targeted at professional educators. But Adizes Graduate School seems legitimate, if slightly quirky.
As a result of the write-up in the 14th edition of Bears' Guide (p. 201), the Stephani Galindo, head of Adizes wrote at length to further explain what they are up to. Among much else she wrote: "I must say that I, myself, and several of my acquaintences did make good use of the guide in pursuing our own higher education degrees!!... "...Faculty lead a global student-body in the exploration of how change occurs across disciplines and cultures, seeking commonalities on the individual, organizational and societal levels.... The Adizes methodology is a unique and important management concept interwoven throughout the course of study. Spiral Dynamics theory is also unique to AGS.... The M.A. takes just over three years to complete. The Ph.D. ... will take at least one additional year of research and writing. Due to the unique content of the AGS M.A. program and the goals for Doctoral work, the school does not accept students directly into the Ph.D. uness they complete the M.A. with good standing..."
Ichak Adizes is certainly active. Some might call him one of those peculiarly Californian figures at the intersection of pop psychology and flaky management theories. (He calls himself a "management therapist".) But others might consider him to be some kind of pioneer and innovator in organizational theory. He does get endorsements from a number of very prominent executives. Like most California-approved schools, it seems most appropriate for a certain restricted subset of students. In this case, probably those attracted to personally studying with Adizes more than those seeking a widely recognized credential. Some stuff that a Google search turned up: His consulting business: http://www.adizes.com A very positive story from 'Inc. Magazine', (Jan 1, 1991): http://www.inc.com/magazine/19910101/4406.html A reference on a U. of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business webpage to the "highly acclaimed Adizes Institute of California": http://www.katz.pitt.edu/index.asp?pid=01_03_01&ID=48 Some kind of relationship with the American Graduate School of Management, a TN-approved school: http://www.web2mba.com/shared/hremphasis.shtml Another operation called Management Vitality that offers Adizes courses but apparently not degrees: http://www.managementvitality.com/index1.shtml A Yugoslavian version: http://www.adizes.co.yu/SEEurope/The-Adizes-Program.htm
I am underwhelmed by Adizes' 'accreditation' page: http://www.adizesgraduateschool.org/accreditation.html This seems to be as misleading as it can be, particularly to prospective foreign students, without actually lying to them.
Under Over Statement I agree of the "under-over statement". I am attending a CA Approved program for my MSc., which some feel as risky - within itself. However, what this site provides is a lot of "talk in circles", for simply stating that they are state approved. The school is legal and likely legit. Why the need to go into so much detail puts a spotlight on the issue, much more so than if it were simply stated. My preference is the way PW lists their approval: California State Approval Pacific Western University is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education to grant degrees under the provisions of the California Education Code, Section 94310. Approval under this section indicates that the institute has been visited and reviewed according to specific standards and that the curriculum is consistent in quality with curricula offered by appropriate established degree granting institutions. California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC) The Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education Reform Act of 1989 requires the California Education Commission to conduct a review and evaluation of the effectiveness of the Reform Act and its implementation. Through this review, the Commission concluded that the Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education Reform Act should be continued indefinitely, and that the Commission should review the law's implementation on a periodic basis. The Commission also recommends specific legislative revisions and administrative changes. (A Report to the Legislature and the Governor in Response to Education Code Section 94345, August 28, 1995, Draft). Direct and to the point. RJT
Oh Hi RJT! We haven't heard much from you lately. Since about the thread that asked if you are Robert Thomas of Unisys identified in this thread- http://www.degreeinfo.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6234&highlight=unisys Are you this person? Is it Robert or Roberta? You seem to use these names interchangably. Is there a reason you are not very upfront? As for the talking in circles comment you seem quite confused. It is you who fails to answer serious questions asked of you while continuing to promote "degree mill like" programs. Hoping for some real answers and less bull.
Re: Under Over Statement For most of the rest of the world, where government approval equates to GAAP (fully accredited), PW's statements could be very easily interpretted to mean fully accredited. Since the American accreditation method is so unusual, most Americans might even be lead to believe that PW's statement menas that PW is fully accredited. I do admit that it is less misleading than many statements on accreditation, though.
