Two Freebies up for Accreditation

Discussion in 'Accreditation Discussions (RA, DETC, state approva' started by LearningAddict, Jun 17, 2013.

Loading...
  1. LearningAddict

    LearningAddict Well-Known Member

    Current DETC applicants:

    Aviation University, Orem, UT
    Delta International University, Baton Rouge, LA
    EC-Council University, Albuquerque, NM
    Management Institute of Canada, Montreal, QC, Canada
    Nations University, West Monroe, LA
    Orlando University, Orlando, FL
    Rockbridge Seminary, Springfield, MO
    Stratford Career Institute, Mount Royal, QC, Canada
    University of the People, Pasadena, CA

    I believe the DETC had their accreditation meeting a few days ago.

    I was surprised to see University of the People back on the list.

    I'm still pulling for Nations, but I'm not as optimistic as I used to be.

    I'm really anxious to see who made it this round :)
     
  2. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    The semi-annual DETC speculation is always fun! :smile: Somewhere, I stuck my neck out and predicted that Nations would make it this summer. Well, I've been wrong before and certainly not for the last time. I still think they will make it - now or soon.

    I hope U of the People makes it; they've obviously got their self-assessment phase done to DETC satisfaction, or they'd not be on the list. Probably still looking at a year or more, I'd think. If they make it, other schools should be terrified about the possible effect on their future enrollment -- IF UotP can stick to their (relatively) free structure, post-accreditation, that is.

    I still can't imagine what Stratford Career Institute (Canada) is doing on this list. I cannot see it as ANY kind of degree-granting school. I've taken a couple of their "if-you-can-read-you'll-succeed" career-type courses and they're OK for what they are. They also deal in completely unaccredited, unrecognized high-school "diplomas" and I don't like that idea at all. Drop them and they might (eventually) qualify for DETC accreditation as a vocational school. Degrees? DEFINITELY not! (Not the Stratford I "went to," at least!)

    Always interesting, anyway!

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 17, 2013
  3. LearningAddict

    LearningAddict Well-Known Member

    At the risk of sounding snobbish, I could never get past Stratford's cheap-looking marketing materials and the fact that they did so many advertising pack-ins with such literary giants as WEEKLY WORLD NEWS. I always found that off-putting enough to never take them seriously.
     
  4. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Don't worry. There's not even a remote possibility, re: Stratford.

    I took their courses, but I never took Stratford seriously. Never do that! Big mistake! :sad:

    I agree. It seems the cheesy marketing materials/channels of the American parent (?) in Vermont are matched in the Canadian operation. The methodology is such, that if you can read, you will pass. It certainly doesn't make you job-ready on graduation. Or mean that you'll ever get licensed, where such is necessary. It is what it is. You can learn something -- but certainly, nothing degree-worthy.

    And those unrecognized "high-school diplomas," --wow!

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 18, 2013
  5. saharapost

    saharapost Member

    I am really looking forward to NationsU being accredited this time around.
     
  6. Carlu

    Carlu New Member

    Nations U?

    Hi amnestylaw,

    I might be considering Nation U in the future, and I was wondering when the DETC decision will be known. Any idea?
     
  7. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    It's too bad Vegas bookies don't offer odds on this stuff. :smile:
     
  8. saharapost

    saharapost Member

    Carlu, I really don't have an idea about when the decision comes out. From the NationsU newsletter sent to all students (by the way I am a student at NationsU), the school is fighting tooth and nail to get the accreditation. Here is a link to the Newsletter http://www.nationsu.org/uploads/SNL%202013/SNL%20APR%202013%20IT.pdf

    This is taken from the newsletter: ''I know the story seems unending. That is how we feel. Accreditation is proving to be more costly than we imagined.
    It is more time consuming, incredibly detailed, and an extended process. However, we keep assuring ourselves that it
    is in the best interest of the students. And so, we press on.
    To recap, the first phase was a self-study. Completed and submitted the report. Rejected. Reapplied. Revised the
    self-study. Critiqued. Revised. Accepted.
    The second phase was to submit a select number of courses for specialists to review. Partial acceptance. Upgraded
    and resubmitted. Accepted.
    The third phase was the site visit. Completed. Report filed showed some partial compliance areas. Partials corrected and re-submitted.
    The fourth phase: wait.
    We have done all we know to do at this point. We shall have to content ourselves with some wait time until the accrediting body determines if indeed we have come 100 percent in compliance with their standards.
    Your patience is appreciated.
    Now, as to how the accreditation process is affecting you. You will have noticed that more writing assignments,
    case studies, forum postings, etc. are appearing. And, textbooks are being added. You should also notice that NU has
    subscribed to journals for your research benefit at no cost to you. Professional tests have been added to help us with
    assessment. Yes, assessment! That is the big word in accreditation circles. We have to demonstrate that learning has
    taken place. That learning has to be at the “higher levels” as defined by educational specialists. We can no long guess;
    we must measure. So, when you come to those instructions about completing a course evaluation, an annual student
    survey, or an alumni survey, realize that these are needed items for assessment. Please do not grow weary at submitting
    the requested information.''

    So, from the above, one may safely conclude that DETC accreditation is coming closer to NationsU this time around...
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 20, 2013
  9. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    I don't know about that, but it definitely suggests that getting DETC accreditation isn't as easy as some people say it is.
     
  10. saharapost

    saharapost Member

    Yes, yes, I concur- it equally suggests that getting DETC accreditation isn't as easy some people suggest. Maybe I will be wrong after-all, something makes me believe NationsU will get accredited this time around. :)
     
  11. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Hmm...wonder if British bookies would? THOSE guys take bets on the oddest things.
    Seriously...my old bones tell me it should be time, for Nations. Then again, it might only be rain... :jester:

    Either way, accreditation-wise, I'd imagine we'll likely hear from DETC by sometime in the early part of July.

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 20, 2013
  12. LearningAddict

    LearningAddict Well-Known Member

    I was told 2-3 weeks by a DETC rep who specializes in this area.
     
  13. ryoder

    ryoder New Member

    That Nations U text sounds very amateur and unprofessional. It reads like an email a kid sends to his mother on his iPhone while finishing up class at college.
     
  14. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Mock 'em if it makes you feel good, Ryoder. Maybe it wasn't much of a journalistic success, but I'll cut them some slack. They've been doing the job for FREE or nearly so since Day 1. Still completely free, to countries where it's needed. Now they've made a sincere attempt at accreditation and (presumably) kept the low-cost model. In my book, that's something.

    All they were doing was asking students to bear with them re: surveys etc. so they can reach their goal. If that piece is the worst they do, then what the heck. There's a lot to be said for their low-cost model and honest effort. I hope their DETC bid succeeds.

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 21, 2013
  15. LearningAddict

    LearningAddict Well-Known Member

    That's awfully harsh. The NU text reads candidly and personalized to their readers, rather than the typically stuffy material a large school or corporation would send out.

    It's actually quite refreshing in my opinion.
     
  16. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    That was my reaction to it as well.
     
  17. novadar

    novadar Member

    I seriously hope both (UoPeople and NationsU) become accredited. It will be the first chip in the wall of exorbitantly priced "real" higher education.

    In a recent perusal of about 100 of IT-related job postings not one, ZERO, said it required a "Regionally Accredited" Bachelor's degree. And only one, ONE, as in Singular, said it required an "Accredited" Bachelor's degree or higher.

    UoPeople's BS in Computer Science can meet the checkmark requirement for an outstanding price.
     
  18. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    UotP just recently made the applicants' list, so I'm guessing the decision will be a while - probably a year or more. All applicants have much to do. I hope UotP makes it, too. Nations has been working on this for quite a while. I expect the decision for them much sooner.

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 21, 2013
  19. LearningAddict

    LearningAddict Well-Known Member

    University Of The People was on the list once before, but they dropped off in order to improve internal processes for another DETC assessment. I thought it would be a longer while until they reappeared, that's why I was surprised to see them back on now.
     
  20. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    True - I forgot about that. Looks like they're really serious and doing their utmost. Good luck to them.

    Johann
     

Share This Page