World Education University

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Maniac Craniac, Jul 31, 2013.

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  1. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Mentioned in a recent thread, I've been browsing their catalogue. It seems to be another ambitious, innovative approach to DL, with a similarly stated mission as University of the People, but with a quite different business model. My understanding is that they make money by enabling third parties to spam you, which, since we all get spammed anyway, I don't suppose is such a bad deal for the student who gets free courses.

    Although the value of an unaccredited degree, irrespective of the actual quality, is always a murky issue, there is one aspect of their programing that intrigues me- that they have degree programs in occupational areas where there exist professional certification as a credential. Presumably, one could take their Diploma or Associates in Medical Coding (for example) and if the courses are high quality, pass the CPC exam and be able to get a job based on that credential.

    I wonder if certification negates the value of putting the diploma/degree on a resume, or if it validates the quality of the program and strengthens a resume to have both in conjunction.

    Personally, I'm interested in a free MBA. I don't need the degree as a credential for employment and I might benefit from what I learn. On that note however, what do you think of having an unaccredited MBA in the sig line or business card of a freelancer? :scratchchin:
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 31, 2013
  2. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Accreditation is important, but it isn't legitimacy, it's merely validation of legitimacy. So, I think if you have a degree and it's from a school rather than a mill then you should be able to say so.
     
  3. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    You might want to check your state laws first. In Washington, for example, this could be considered use of a "false academic credential":

    It could be argued that the Washington law is unduly restrictive to legitimate unaccredited institutions. The problem, of course, is that all unaccredited institutions, including the mills, claim to be legitimate. So in practice, there is no way to identify legitimate unaccredited institutions, except through some form of third-party validation. Accreditation is one way to do that; Washington also provides the option of "authorization, exemption, or waiver" by the State HECB, which is probably easier.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 31, 2013
  4. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    More or less what I thought, too, although sometimes it's hard to spot a mill even for the experienced millcatchers on this site. You may recall a debate or two appearing here on the difference between a mill and an unaccredited substandard school.

    An interesting note on WEU is that in addition to degrees, they offer certificates and diplomas. I imagine (there I go again...) that if you get a diploma in something, the accreditation issue is less likely to matter or even come up as opposed to getting an associates degree in the same thing. I wouldn't need an associate's in anything, really, since I already have one and am probably 1 month or so away from having a BA.

    Heres a fun sample resume that could be mine one day :scratchchin:
    --------------------------------------------------

    Certification

    Certified Paralegal --- National Association of Legal Assistants

    Education

    Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences --- Thomas Edison State College

    Diploma in Paralegal Studies --- World Education University

    Diploma in Criminal Justice --- World Education University

    ----------------------------------------

    No, I'm not actually planning on becoming a Paralegal, but it is yet another one of my Plan Bs. My adoring fans know that I have several of them- hypothetical career paths to try if what my current plan does not fall into place. I've had so much bad luck while trying to make so many good decisions, that I'm compelled to be prepared for as much as I reasonably can. My degree + professional certification I can study for independently for free + ability to communicate in multiple languages seem to make me a nice candidate for entry level for a number of different jobs that pay fairly well. I'm just trying to get a feel for what's out there

    :dance:
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 31, 2013
  5. LearningAddict

    LearningAddict Well-Known Member

    So many of these programs could benefit from having their courses evaluated for college credit by NCCRS or ACE. I wouldn't mind trying an unaccredited school if the courses would still count. Hey, if the Pilgrim Theological Seminary who operates on a free website (Pilgrim Theological Seminary) can give it a shot, why not more unaccredited schools?

    PTS is offering an unaccredited degree, but with courses that will actually earn a person legitimate college credit.

    Hey, World Education University, are you listening? :wavey:
     
  6. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    That would be huge in the light of how easy it is to get ACE credit over to the Big Three. Wouldn't that be amazing if one day we could recommend to people an entire degree plan based on free courses? Pay for one enrollment fee, one capstone and one graduation fee for an ENTIRE degree? Now THAT would be something!
     
  7. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    On reading the actual legislation, there's no mention of international matters, so in theory someone applying for a job who rightfully says on their resume that they have a degree from Oxford would run afoul of this obnoxious ordinance.

    (As an aside, I have to wonder how often these sorts of things are really enforced, particularly in the case of people who clearly aren't bolstering themselves through mills. Yes, if it's on the books then it's on the books, but I wonder if this is just three felonies a day territory, if you know what I mean.)
     
  8. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    in reality, the full text of the actual, current legislation includes the following:

    So an Oxford degree would be covered under the "international equivalents" clause in (ii).
    But it might be harder to make the same case for a MUST University degree.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 31, 2013
  9. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    You're right, I didn't see it buried in there. I withdraw that particular complaint. :smile:
     
  10. LearningAddict

    LearningAddict Well-Known Member

    Indeed. I hope someday this type of access is more robustly available to students, just seeing people have opportunities available to them that they otherwise wouldn't is a good feeling. If ever there were a time for students to have more control of what they consume and spend in terms of education, I'd say this would be it.
     
  11. JWC

    JWC New Member

    I've enrolled in the M.S. in Dispute Resolution program. The information is excellent.
     
  12. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    I have a truly redonkulous complaint. I hate the name. World Education University? Hopefully they don't offer a marketing degree.
     
  13. LearningAddict

    LearningAddict Well-Known Member

    Here is what they're calling a partnership: World Education University

    Interesting.
     
  14. Phdtobe

    Phdtobe Well-Known Member

    MC this is an excellent find. This method is just as good as good as doing a bunch of MOOC courses. I prefer WEU approach to free education than UOP. I like that excelsior has gotten involved. MC go for it - it is a legal degree.
     
  15. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    THANK YOU! :iagree: It is probably the most fake sounding school name I have ever heard of. It's so oddly generic, it's amazing you can actually find it in a Google search.
     
  16. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Care to share info on the course structure and how assessments are carried out?
     
  17. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    It looks like the "partnership" is just that they advertize for one another. I think it's a win-win-win since it DOES seem to suggest a viable option for students to follow while cross-promoting.
     
  18. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Yes, that is interesting. It appears that you could take the class at WEU and then test out at Excelsior. I wonder how many classes could be completed this way.
     
  19. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    Isn't it easier to just read a book or go through some flashcards and take an ECEP? Excelsior already recommends Saylor for preparation. With Saylor, you don't have to sign up for anything.
     
  20. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Could be, I wouldn't know. It is an interesting idea either way. Seems like a nice, cheap way to get instruction that ends in university credits.
     

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