Who wants a small challenge?

Discussion in 'Accreditation Discussions (RA, DETC, state approva' started by Kizmet, Nov 5, 2011.

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  1. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Followup - seems IUFS and TIU have dropped off the USDLA list. I know they were there at one time.
    Here : you can see the USDLA Membership here: USDLA | Organizational Members

    Almeda, Madison, St Clements - lots of smoking guns.

    Johann
     
  2. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    Kizmet,

    I am a bit baffled as to why anyone would question the fact that you are questioning something. I see nothing wrong with this.

    Abner
     
  3. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    No - nothing wrong. What I suggest is, if Kizmet decides to be wary/suspicious -- there are 'way better candidates for that than CalDog - who has often proven his knowledge and legitimacy, as have you, Abner.

    Me, however? Well, that's a whole 'nother matter.... :jester:

    Johann
     
  4. Jonathan Whatley

    Jonathan Whatley Well-Known Member

    Guys, didn't you see the smiley at the end of Kizmet's last post?

    It reads "J/K," meaning "joking." Kiz' was pulling CalDog's leg.

    (Note to all: CalDog is not really a dog, either.* You don't want to pull a real dog's leg.)

    (*Probably.)
     
  5. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    I'll see if I can find a DL course in humor appreciation (and the reading of emoticons) for Johann.
     
  6. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    Actually, I could be a dog. That's the thing about the Internet. You never really know for sure.
     
  7. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    Since USDLA has an open membership policy, it includes legit schools, questionable schools, and non-schools. Some of the legit schools listed as members include Stanford, Syracuse, University of Texas and Texas A&M, SUNY, Iowa and Iowa State, Notre Dame UMass Online, Virginia Tech, Excelsior, and WGU.

    USDLA apparently agrees, based on the disclaimer that they post under the list of unaccredited member schools:

    Organizations like ACBSP and AACSB also have disclaimers on their membership lists, to stress the difference between "membership" and "accreditation".
     
  8. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    I hope everyone's OK with this.

    Hope nobody's irked. I could probably use a course - all I meant is:

    (1) CalDog and Abner have proven their integrity and nobody needs to be wary of them.
    (2) Me? It could be a different situtation. :)


    And I used the "jester" instead of a simple smiley because I can't navigate the emoticons here - the process (to me) is insane. I'll just forget 'em in future and rely on people's reading comprehension.

    By the way, I just found out the DL school (Not a smoking gun) I'm currently attending has USDLA membership - and they're doing a fine job, as I see it, but I'm STILL glad USDLA didn't accredit the school!

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 7, 2011
  9. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    "When in Rome..." It's the internet Johann. Learn the language. You're a smart enough guy that you can't say "can't" so what you're really saying is "won't". If you won't learn the language then the consequences come naturally. Your choice. Sleep well.
     
  10. BillDayson

    BillDayson New Member

    I agree that the USDLA is a legit organization. But having said that, there most definitely was a "smoking gun" several years ago.

    See this thread:

    http://www.degreeinfo.com/general-distance-learning-discussions/28107-usdla.html

    The USDLA member's list, as of 2008, is in post #6. It's pretty appalling. See also my remarks in post #25.

    I do have to acknowledge that the USDLA has made some very positive improvements since 2008. Apparently they are no longer making their member's list public, which prevents degree-mills from paying membership dues and then using a listing on the USDLA site in their marketing as if it was an indicator of legitimacy. The USDLA also seems to have lost its rather inexplicable one-time DLAB accreditation arm.

    So while in my opinion they were behaving irresponsibly in the past, they definitely seem to have cleaned up their act since then.
     
  11. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    I question why you question those who question questions.
     
  12. BillDayson

    BillDayson New Member

    Oops, I may have spoke too soon. There is something that may or may not be a members list here:

    USDLA | Organizational Members

    Not only are there several mills on the list, I'm not even sure that all of these schools are operating legally in their home states. And they are still talking about their DLAB accreditor, although they say that they don't accredit any schools at present.

    I don't really care how many prestige universities are members of USDLA. If the organization continues to allow itself to be used as a marketing instrument in the furtherance of what can only be called fraud, then it's only doing harm to the cause of distance learning.

    Part of the problem might be that the USDLA is a shop-talk organization for DL administrators. And I doubt if any of these administrators have ever gone on the internet with the ignorance and innocence of prospective students and employers, and then actually tried to determine whether a mystery program is real or just a scam.

    Things that are fundamental issues to the students who actually use DL and to those who hire them probably don't seem the least bit important in university administration buildings. The mill problem isn't even on their radar screen.

    The impression that I get of the USDLA from my student's-eye perspective is of lack of professionalism, irresponsibility and general cluelessness.
     
  13. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    So maybe it wasn't such a bad question after all (thanks Abner). And thanks to Bill for actually doing the digging.
     
  14. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Right. Made my choice - better off without DI. Bye.

    Johann
     
  15. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    You've quit both boards before. See you later.
     
  16. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

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