Credibility of DEAC

Discussion in 'Accreditation Discussions (RA, DETC, state approva' started by Jan, Dec 28, 2016.

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  1. Jan

    Jan Member

    Is DEAC really a viable, impartial and credible accreditating agency comparable to regionally accreditation agencies, as they claim? In short, are their accrediting standards and investigation of student complaints regarding schools under their aegis substantive and impartial?
     
  2. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    For most people, the crucial thing is whether the degrees and credits will be accepted by RA schools, and in the workplace. It is amazing to me (who has been writing about this stuff for 40 years) that, to the best of my knowledge, we don't have a clear answer. In the year 2000, fed up with not knowing, I conducted the first-ever study of acceptance, asking the registrars of hundreds of RA schools whether they accepted credits and degrees from DEAC (it was DETC then) schools always, usually, sometimes, rarely, or never. The results then were about 40% always-usually, 40% rarely-never, and the rest in between. But that was 16 years ago. Things presumably have changed, but (to the best of my knowledge) we don't know. It would be so easy to replicate, or, better still, expand and improve my study, and Jan's very reasonable question could be answered confidently.
     
  3. b4cz28

    b4cz28 Active Member

    When looking at schools I hardly ever worry if they will take my NA degree from a Deac school. I think I have had a few out of dozens say no, and one of those after pressure changed their minds.

    At one point I thought I would never be able to go to a better school but that has not been the case. I am at Liberty because of the block tuition and the quality, but lack of mobility was not even in the mix.
     
  4. Michigan68

    Michigan68 Active Member

    I would have to agree. I received a BSBA from Aspen University and havent had an issue moving to a (RA) MBA and I am currently in a (RA) DBA program.
     
  5. BusinessManIT

    BusinessManIT Member

    Progress Toward Complete Acceptance

    I can also relate with my experiences about this. I think that DEAC (NA) accreditation is being accepted more and more. Progress is slow but sure which I think will result in eventual perceptional equality with RA accreditation.
     
  6. scottae316

    scottae316 New Member

    DEAC is recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA. Acceptance by employers and RA schools are on a case by case basis. Some RA schools will not accept some or even any from other RA schools. If you are concerned that an RA school will not accept a DEAC degree for admission to a graduate program, check with schools you are thinking about.
     
  7. Jan

    Jan Member

    As noted in my original post, my question regarding the viability and credibility of DEAC extended beyond the acceptability of credits from this accrediting agency by RA schools, but whether they take complaints regarding their schools seriously and are impartial in doing so?
     
  8. decimon

    decimon Well-Known Member


    You asked if DEAC is comparable to RAs in terms of credibility. How credible do you see the RAs as being?
     
  9. freddyboy

    freddyboy Member

    DEAC enjoys the same level of recognition that USDOE and CHEA offers to the regional accrediting agencies. I believe that includes their standards for student complaints. From a policy perspective, DEAC appears to be credible, viable and impartial.

    It also appears that it has no issues with putting its schools on notice (and removing accreditation) when standards are not being met. Sometimes, schools voluntarily withdraw accreditation when no longer meeting DEAC standards instead of having it revoked.

    There is anecdotal evidence that DEAC accreditation has improved its credibility profile among regionally accredited universities, and I count myself among those that can offer such evidence.

    DEAC is led by a nationally-respected administrator that evidently has tightened the standards and policies, further adding to the credibility of DEAC.
     
  10. AJ_Atlanta

    AJ_Atlanta New Member

    I don't think DEAC is an issue with most commercial employers. I can see some positions looking for specific program acceptance but more than likely it's all about name recognition. I suspect most HR departments lump all the schools without name recognition together (and check the box).

    Now all that goes out the window with education related jobs, high public profile positions, and perhaps a few other jobs. That said I have seen a few executive profiles with degrees from U of P - think I would put an Aspen degree ahead of that

    my .02
     
  11. Jan

    Jan Member

     
  12. freddyboy

    freddyboy Member

     
  13. decimon

    decimon Well-Known Member

     
  14. Lerner

    Lerner Well-Known Member

    ABET usually accredited the Engineering and Engineering Technology programs, especially on a Bachelor level only at RA Universities.
    This is no longer the case, ABET has accredited Engineering Technology program at DEAC accredited Grantham University.

    I think this is interesting development, especially if the graduate of the program resides in a sate such as New Mexico.
    In New Mexico Engineering Technology graduates can become licensed as Professional Engineers.
    DEAC accredited Grantham University graduate from ABET accredited program can take FE/EIT exam.
    There are other states as well.
    This degree will also satisfy UK EngC Academic requirements for registration as Incorporated Engineer etc etc.
     
  15. decimon

    decimon Well-Known Member


    More interesting if APUS gets ABET.
     
  16. Jan

    Jan Member

     
  17. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

     
  18. Jan

    Jan Member

    [QUOTE=Kizmet

    "To me this entire question seems quite trollish. It's based upon nothing more than unsubstantiated rumor, something Jan claims she has heard about. Some sort of second or third handed story from a disgruntled student or perhaps it's all a complete fiction. There's absolutely no reason to think there's any real problem here."

    Kizmet, calling a poster a troll, liar and other unsavory terms, without an iota of substantive evidence to support such hostile aspersions, does not reflect negatively on me whatsoever but appears to be vindictive due to our previous discussion and disagreement regarding Sports Psychology and possibly other posts.

    Regardless, Is this the way a moderator should wield their position of authority and conduct themselves for whatever reasons? If there was any doubts about the basis of my question and issue you could have asked rather than engage in ad hominem atttacks.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 31, 2016
  19. Steve Levicoff

    Steve Levicoff Well-Known Member

    First of all, Jan, this is how you quote someone: in the proper format instead of being lazy and simiply using quotation marks. If you don’t know how to use the “reply with quote” feature at this juncture, at least learn to put the quoted material in italics.

    Anyway, my reaction to the last few posts in this thread is, “Damn! This is getting funny!” I’ve been waiting to see who would call Jan on bullshit, and should have had faith that it would be Kizmet, as eloquent as ever.

    Here’s the way I read Jan’s original post: As we all know from her history on the forum, Jan has been seeking to enroll in a doctoral program. It sounds like she’s been considering a DEAC program, and just in case she ends up not liking the program of her choice, she’s scoping how DEAC itself will respond to her whining.

    We have heard some good things about DEAC in this thread, but all of the comments have been experiential or anecdotal (Jan’s submission being the most anecdotal of all). “Gee, I’ve heard that…” means nothing. Nada. And if that’s the type of “doctoral scholar” Jan will be, it would be better if she didn’t pursue a doctorate at all.

    Want a good example of how DEAC is perceived? Look at John Bear’s response. That is the empirical response of someone with a doctorate.

    I have found – and I admit this is anecdotal as well – that the biggest defenders of DEAC are those who hold a degree from a DEAC-accredited school. The biggest boosters of NA programs in general are those with NA degrees. Because the people with the most to lose if anything less than RA status is deemed inferior are those whose degrees are less than RA.

    As everyone knows, I have always been “RA or the highway.” (Or, as I like to say in my biz, “RA and the highway.”) We can trash NA when schools are not also RA because, um, we can. We don’t have to worry about 40% of schools not even considering our degrees worthy of admission because we went with the gold standard in the first place. Those who successfully went on to RA graduate programs or who gained successful positions in life earned those accolades in spite of their NA degrees, not because of them.

    As most people know, my own position on DEAC is that they are a joke. I looked at them fondly when they were NHSC (prior to DETC) and accrediting the distance education programs of that time. But expanding the their scope to all levels of graduate education did not improve their credibility with me. But I have always advocated the notion that doctoral programs should have a residency component, and feel no more positive about a totally extermal doctorate, even if it comes from an RA school. (Don’t even get me started on the oxymoronish nature of the phrase online university which I also consider a joke.)

    The fact is that in the end run, higher education has become no more than a commodity, and many graduate level programs have brought higher ed down the tubes. One variable that has not changed is that doctoral level studies means that one should not make statements like:

    No, Jan, I’m afraid that Kizmet was spot on in her critique. And you should know by now that moderators are not required to leave their opinions at the door of the school house. Besides, when you start using words like vindictive and ad hominem, you are admitting that you’ve been caught with your hand in the bullshit cookie jar.

    Nonetheless, best wishes to both of you for the new year. I have faith that if you eventually choose the right doctoral program, Jan, they’ll turn you into a legitimate scholar. In due time.
     
  20. Lerner

    Lerner Well-Known Member

    Did APUS apply?
    I don't see a reason why not. ASU had 100% on line Bsc Engineering that is ABET accredited.
     

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