NCCA is it an accredited degree?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Cherldworld, Feb 1, 2012.

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  1. Cherldworld

    Cherldworld New Member

    I have been looking around for a bachelor/master degree in Pastorial Counselling through distance education. Through my search engine all I could find was a certificate/degree through NCCA!

    I heard it wasn't a proper accredited course neither it was recognized internationally except in America.
    Please advice. I was accepted into Pastoral Counselling Center online Christian Counselling degree programs to do my Bachelor & Master's degree in Christian Counselling. I just want to make sure it is not a scam and it is a good program before I start my course.

    Thank you
    Cherldworld
     
  2. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    When you ask about a specific school, it is condsidered proper ettiquette to include a weblink.
     
  3. Garp

    Garp Well-Known Member

    If this is the Arno entity then I believe there have been some issues noted by Levicoff and others in the past. It is meaningless in terms of counseling in a secular sense and in terms of a biblical counseling program you might be better off with a certification from the American Association of Christian Counselors. They have some certifications that will not be useful in a secular setting but the organization is well respected. They do not offer degrees.

    Liberty University has one of the more solid and reasonably priced Masters programs in Counseling and it is generally geared (with the exception of a few states) to meeting licensure requirements. Someone posted here that NY does not accept any DL programs (and there are some other states).

    Appear NCCA is accredited by the Accrediting Commission International. http://www.pastoral-counseling-center.org/Christian-Counseling-Degree-Accreditation.htm
    This is considered a VERY bad sign.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 1, 2012
  4. Garp

    Garp Well-Known Member

    Additionally, my guess is that if you have to have an unaccredited degree with no secular utility in the counseling field that you are better off with something like Louisiana Baptist University Louisiana Baptist University and Theological Seminary than NCCA. My advice is go earn an accredited bachelors from one of the big three (TESC or Excelsior) or an affordable biblical studies based program from South African Theological Seminary and then apply to an accredited Masters degree program.
     
    RoscoeB likes this.
  5. LGFlood

    LGFlood New Member

    I would echo this sentiment. I was roped into NCCA years ago prior to attending Liberty and should have spotted the warning signs. All of the "colleges" that offer a degree in the NCCA program are simply mills whose "faculty" all seem to receive their degrees from their own institutions. Also, they are very deceptive in their credentials. They encourage you to place LPC (Licensed Pastoral Counselor) or LCPC (Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor) when these designations could lead someone to believe it is a Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. Using the initials could also land you in legal hot water in the majority of states. Furthermore, NCCA cannot license you. The state licenses you. There are a million other things, but I would just say avoid it all costs. Go to Liberty. It is a regionally accredited university with great tuition rates and you can choose between an MA in Professional Counseling which can lead to your LPC or an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy which can lead to your MFT. Just my thoughts!
     
  6. RAM PhD

    RAM PhD Member

    Lance has posted wisely. Avoid NCCA if you want a recognized credential that has valid utility.
     
  7. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Both are right! As I see it, an honest statement of no accreditation whatsoever trumps ACI "accreditation" by quite a margin. ACI relocated from Arkansas to Florida a couple of years ago. My take: avoid all three hundred or so schools that ACI has accredited, except possibly one of its latest: the "Look at Me" Primary School in Dominica. Cutest school-name I ever heard. :smile:

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 29, 2013
  8. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    It's in the Dominican Republic, not in Dominica. Different countries, these. And a cute name doesn't save it -- ACI means keep looking.
     
  9. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Yes, indeed.

    From the Wiki on Dominica:
    "Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic."

    from the Wiki on the Dominican Republic:
    "Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic."

    Thanks for the correction, Steve. :smile: That's twice I've made that same mistake, in regard to this school. I do know they're separate countries -- I just keep mixing 'em up. I know also I should speak Spanish in the Dominican Republic and English in Dominica, but somehow...

    And yes ACI does mean "keep looking" - in any language! Still a cute name, in spite of it all. :smile:

    Johann
     
  10. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Whoops! That should have read:

    From the Wiki on Dominica:
    "Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic."

    from the Wiki on the Dominican Republic:
    "Not to be confused with the Commonwealth of Dominica"

    I somehow got myself temporarily "shut out" of the forum while trying to correct my post above. Sorry!

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 29, 2013
  11. RAM PhD

    RAM PhD Member

    Profound advice!
     
  12. rev313

    rev313 New Member

    The NCCA is accepted nationally, but I'm not sure about it being accepted internationally. My mother received her doctorates through a Christian school and they went through the NCCA, especially in the area of 'temperament' counseling.

    As you would assume, my mom's doctoral degree is well-received in the church and other religious-related entities, but it is acknowledged and not accepted in the "mainstream", if you will.
     
  13. LGFlood

    LGFlood New Member

    I hate to be the fly in the ointment, but the only place you'll hear of "temperament counseling" is through the NCCA. They're the only ones who use it. The "model" of temperament counseling is not a legitimate model of counseling. Furthermore, every client who undergoes temperament therapy has to take the "Arno Profile System" first to receive their assessment...and guess who gets the money for that? Yup, the NCCA. There is no tests and measurements on your own. Besides, the DISC profile is a much more accurate assessment. Even the Myers-Briggs is. Try counseling a Borderline with Temperament Therapy. Of course, try counseling a Borderline without an LPC, even...

    No, I would not assume that. More and more churches are becoming aware of the scam of the NCCA. That's because more and more churches are hiring individuals with real degrees and credentials to handle counseling. I hate to sound harsh, but the certification from NCCA isn't worth the paper it's printed on. I went down that road myself. Fortunately, I found out before I invested too much money.
     
  14. RAM PhD

    RAM PhD Member

    The NCCA is not accepted nationally or internationally in terms of how those words (i.e., national and international acceptance) are understood regarding degree recognition, qualifications for state licensure, etc. There are churches, most of which do not understand the dynamics of substantive academic training or licensure in the field of counseling, that will accept an NCCA credential. The same is true regarding the number of churches that will accept a degree from degree mill, primarily because they do not understand that such degrees can be obtained. It is sad.
     
  15. rev313

    rev313 New Member

    The reason for that is CHURCH vs. STATE. Both are separate entities and are frowned upon if one side tries to force its way in. In regard to the church, they will probably accept any type of a degree. Most times, depending on the situation, they will have people in positions that are spiritually qualified, but not academically or professionally qualified to teach in an academic institution. However, for their organization, it could be perfectly fine. Why? It is because the church is a separate entity.

    In the end, education totally depends on the person and the person's situation. Topics like this can always lead to healthy debates concerning the following:
    Regional vs. National accreditation
    Degree vs. Certificate
    Online vs. Brick-and-mortar
    AAB vs. BSc vs. MBA
    DBA vs. PhD

    Like I said, it totally depends on the person (level of gratification, etc.) and the person's situation (job requirements, etc.).
     
  16. RAM PhD

    RAM PhD Member

    You don't sound harsh at all, your statement is true. If you can cause one person to avoid an NCCA credential, your comments are well placed.
     
  17. RAM PhD

    RAM PhD Member

    My intent is not to be argumentative, but your summation is simply not accurate. If you came to me and presented an NCCA credential, and I said "Great, this proves you're a qualified counselor," this in no way validates the NCCA credential. Acceptance by a few uninformed persons/entities doesn't a valid credential make.
     
  18. LGFlood

    LGFlood New Member

    Well, my other concern with the Church vs. State argument is that is perpetuates the myth that Christian education is second class in its quality. I realize that wasn't this poster's intention, however, there are indeed Christians who have graduated from legitimate Christian universities with degrees in psychology, law, counseling, social work, nursing, etc.

    The fact remains that the NCCA is a money making marketing ploy founded by a man with no legitimate degree in any field who has his program taught at a handful of schools that have no accreditation whatsoever with faculty members who received their degrees from the school they are teaching at. For example, when I was sucked into the NCCA, I chose to attend Colorado Theological Seminary (which operates now out of Florida, BTW). The President and Founder of Colorado Theological Seminary is "Dr." Gary Tryzbiak. He received his doctorate (a Ph.D. no less) from...wait for it...wait for it...Colorado Theological Seminary.

    And to insinuate that Church vs. State should imply that a degree in ministry is less demanding, I would say that most people in ministry who find themselves in a Senior Pastor position have a RA Bachelor's and a RA or ATS Master of Divinity (which requires 93 hours and three years of full time study). The next step, a Doctor of Ministry degree, usually equires another three years of full time study plus three years of ministry experience. Basically all told, a total of 10 years of full time postsecondary study.

    You could get a Bachelor's - Doctorate in about a year from someplace like Andersonville Theological Seminary, another NCCA affiliate. I received a Master of Ministry degree from them in about 4 months. Then one day I realized my pursuit of that degree was about pride, tore it up, and went back to school for real. I haven't turned back since and I've enjoyed every bit of the journey.

    Sorry if I ranted a bit. :)
     
  19. RAM PhD

    RAM PhD Member

    You are to be commended for your integrity. Unfortunately, far too many places exist where one can obtain a piece of paper (meaningless and void of utility) called a degree by the awarding entity. You aren't the first, nor will you be the last, to be deceived by their marketing practices.

    NCCA and its accreditor ACI appear to share the same office building at 5260 Paylor Lane, in Sarasota, FL.
     
  20. rev313

    rev313 New Member

    Didn't mean to stir the Hornets nest... I am all for online education and legit accreditation. I advise people to check accreditation first before selecting a school. That should be first priority, then you look at the price and "fit-ability" (does the school's schedule fit your schedule, etc).

    My personal experience with the NCCA is through my mom's education. That's when I first heard of them. I'll admit that I did not research the organization, thus I cannot speak of its qualities, core values, etc. I shared my mom's story just to say that her education is valid when its through church-related areas or activities. Her degree is not accepted (because the school is not regionally accredited), but she is acknowledged (meaning, people refer to her as a 'Dr.') everywhere she goes.

    I did not want to make education in the Christian realm seem "irrelevant", if you will, in the mainstream or that Christian education operates "illegally". I was just stating that the Church, and probably other non-profit organizations, operate slightly different from other organizations and institutions.
     

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