Times Higher Education posts article highly critical of US For Profit Universities

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Cardinal Biggles, Feb 16, 2012.

Loading...
  1. Cardinal Biggles

    Cardinal Biggles New Member

    The British Educational Website, which is geared towards those working in academia in the UK, posted this short article discussing the assertions of a UK academic who describes major for profit universities in the United States as "research inactive", and essentially unworthy of the title "university".

    The impetus for this criticism is said to be in response the British government's apparent encouragement of private entities to grant degrees.

    What are your thoughts on the merits of this criticism?
     
  2. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    There are different levels of degrees that all fall within the realm of good quality. If you are wanting to land a tenure track job at a research university, an online degree will not work. If you are a mid-career professional who wants a degree to facilitate a promotion, an online degree will work perfectly.

    I'm not particularly affected by the sharp criticism of the profit schools, most of those profit organizations are supplying degrees aimed at a different set of individuals who are not that interested in research. It just sounds to me like elitist talk.
     
  3. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 16, 2012
  4. Cyber

    Cyber New Member

    I think the criticism is a legitimate one. I have previously raised issues in this forum that side-swipes that very point, which is that some programs, especially, doctoral programs offered by for-profit RA online-only schools should not be awarding degrees with the same postnomial (DETC is right in this) as those awarded for much superior work at traditional research-heavy universities, and that is the PhD. Such schools should be limited to practitioner degrees - DBA, EdD, etc., for the very reason that the programs are research-lite degrees, with very limited utility (teaching at another online-only school, which is what majority of the degree holders do, is not enough).

    The issue is that getting a PhD easily through online-only schools cheapens the prestige that should ordinarily be reserved for those who actually labor for it by going through the "hoops" of traditional PhD study, and are contributing actively to their field and society through their research. Just think about where we will be if no one is doing "real research." Also, imagine if 20 years from now, majority of PhD holders got them from online-only schools, and no one is really doing any research. This is what British academics are looking at. I think real scholars should be differentiated and honored by reserving the PhD postnomial for them; but ofcourse, we know that in the U.S. profit motive is why this is happening.
     
  5. AdjunctInstructor

    AdjunctInstructor New Member

    So what is the big difference between research at a physical campus and DL

    I would assume it is the close mentoring and close physical interaction that is the major difference. The reason I say this is other than the hard sciences and technologically oriented doctorates there is not much difference between the two. Both use electronic journals, and written sources. Both can design survey instruments, and so forth. The traditional PhD candidate uses the same methodology and internet sources as the DL PhD candidate. As far as quality of research that is a mixed bag no matter if online or traditional. I think that you start seeing a real difference between the top 5% of universities from the rest. No matter for profit or not. I personally believe that their is a difference in quality but not substance and there are exceptions to this. What about some of the more smaller state universities- are their PhD's comparable with the top 5% of large prestigious high research universities' PHD's? I believe there is no need to differentiate, that is done at hiring time. Princeton, Yale, Oxford, Duke, Harvard PhD vs. UOP, NCU, Aspen, et al Come on... is not that enough? I agree with Surfdoctor ... looks like elitism to me.
     
  6. rmm0484

    rmm0484 Member

    I was ABD at an all-online University, ran out of time, and am now enrolled at UFS, which is mostly bricks and mortar. I notice the difference immediately between the former university and my current school. I believe that the online model may be wrong, where you mail in your assignments for grades, and then they are returned by the instructor with a few comments. What is missing is the discourse, the presence, which is sorely needed at the Research phase. At UFS, my questions are answered promptly by my professor. I am also expected to deliver a one half hour presentation in March via SKYPE. I have frequent content from the staff. I believe that the "presence" part of the B&M paradigm needs to translate into distance education, as it seems to have done at UFS.

    I am also enrolled at Aspen, which is somewhat like my other Uni, except with good customer service and stable policies. It will be interesting to see how the dissertation phase goes.
     
  7. AdjunctInstructor

    AdjunctInstructor New Member

    Good luck on your Ed.D. with Aspen University

    I almost attended Aspen University's Ed.D. but was only given 3 credits in transfer from Liberty University's Ed.S. degree coursework. I had 18 credits completed. In fact, I was accepted into Walden University, Northcentral University and Aspen University Ed.D. not one wanted to give favorable transfer credit allowances. I declined. I finally had no choice but go back to Liberty University. I am just about done with the Ed.S. trying to keep my 3.90+ GPA so I can graduate with distinction. I have decided to take advantage of the newly DETC accredited Apollos University's DBA. They have state if I enroll the tuition will stay the same as pre-accreditation rate through out the program if continuously enrolled. At $150.00 per semester credit hour how can I refuse? A DETC doctorate has some real limitations, however, I have been going to college since age 15---35 years now! Certainly vanity is one motivation. However, I am a college administrator, thus, a DBA degree offers some skills I can utilize. By the way Apollos requires me to do two master of business administration courses before beginning the DBA. That is reasonable. Again, good luck.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 16, 2012
  8. AdjunctInstructor

    AdjunctInstructor New Member

    Good luck on your Ed.D. with Aspen University

    I almost attended Aspen University's Ed.D. but was only given 3 credits in transfer from Liberty University's Ed.S. degree coursework. I had 18 credits completed. In fact, I was accepted into Walden University, Northcentral University and Aspen University Ed.D. non wanted to give favorable transfer credit allowances. I declined. I finally had no choice but go back to Liberty University. I am just about done with the Ed.S. trying to keep my 3.90+ GPA so I can graduate with distinction. I have decided to take advantage of the newly DETC accredited Apollos University's DBA. They have state if I enroll the tuition will stay the same as pre-accreditation rate through out the program if continuously enrolled. At $150.00 per semester credit hour how can I refuse? A DETC doctorate has some real limitations, however, I have been going to college since age 15---35 years now! Vanity is one motivation and the second motivator is that I am a college administrator and a DBA degree skills set is useful to me. By the way Apollos requires me to do two master of business administration courses before beginning the DBA. That is reasonable. Again, good luck.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 16, 2012
  9. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Two identical posts six minutes apart. Hmm.
     
  10. AdjunctInstructor

    AdjunctInstructor New Member

    How did that happen?

    That is strange. I was editing my original post and look what is created! Two of the same.
     

Share This Page