For the cheapest of the cheap...a $25.00 Skills Cert from Rutgers

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by friendorfoe, Dec 20, 2005.

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  1. manny00

    manny00 Member

    I also tried navigating through www.ce.com however, I couldn't find any other colleges or universities offering skill certification exams.
     
  2. dlkereluk

    dlkereluk New Member

    This is very interesting friendorfoe. Thanks!

    Darren.
     
  3. laferney

    laferney Active Member

    I find it interesting that eveyone seems so excited about these Certifications but Brainbench was often dismissed here. (and still is)
    Brainbench is ISO 9001:2000 certified and was the first online testing company to obtain this accomplishment for its test development process.
    ACE would not grant college equivalency credit for Brainbench certifications because they were not proctored. These college and university offered certifications are not proctored and can be taken without a fee first. How will this look to employers? Is there a way to monitor for cheating? Are they ISO - International Organization for Standardization certifed? Brianbench offers an entire certification in Health Care Administration for 49.95-very difficult to pass. These university certs can be done in Health Care Management for at least 3 times the cost of Brainbench.
    Another criticism of Brainbench certification is that they are valid for 3 years and must be retested for renewal. How are these university certs going to be kept current? Heathcare and techology related info changes quickly -yet these certifications have no expiration date.
    Not trying to burst anyone's excitement over these certifications-but is this a "certification mill process" to enhance revenue for these universities?
     
  4. hikergirl

    hikergirl New Member

    Nice find!!! Even though they don't have anything for RNs, I'll go with the medical supervisor's certs. Can't hurt!
     
  5. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    It has a lot to do with perception. The perception is that a Cert from a University would be recognized. In other words, I'm not sure how many HR reps would say "cert in whatever Rutgers U....what's that?" whereas I have personally been asked "what the heck is a Brainbench cert?"......

    At least that was my experience.
     
  6. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member


    Exactly!


    Abner
     
  7. laferney

    laferney Active Member

    Research by the Employer will give the "perception" that you took an unproctored series of tests without paying a fee first, only paid if "credit" was awarded. ( sound millish to anyone?- I know the schools are accredited and respected but the process for a cert seems faulty-most RA schools in their distance study courses equire a proctored final.) In three years from now the "perception" will be that your certification skills are "outdated" Most professions require CEUS to renew certifications or a retest.
    And certs are not college course credits or proof of competence esp. since one could theoretically study and pass these certs without any real world experience.So buyer beware.
     
  8. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    They are skills certs...not academic certs. Completely different animals. "millish" they are not. All they were intended to do is to provide evidence of an acquired skill and there's nothing wrong with that.

    Research by an HR person would reveal exactly what you should list it as on your resume....a "skill certification".....which by its title should be self explanatory. In fact Rutgers provides a URL for people (potential employers) to look it up on their site. I don't see anyone hiding what it is.

    If you are interested in an actual cert....ACE reviewed for credit, etc. Rutgers has that too, for about $1700.00 and they will mail you a transcript and certificate. Additionally it is an actual course, not a series of tests.

    http://camden-sbc.rutgers.edu/cme/online-business-management-training.htm
     
  9. laferney

    laferney Active Member

    I understand your point of view. I'm just pointing out some of the points that may impact their utility. Not being proctored. Only paying once you have passed. To my knowledge very few areas of Distance learning or testing would allow you to test first and pay only if you passed. (This includes CLEP, Dantes, GRE, TESC tests etc.) Most certifications have a time limit to ensure skills are kept current. Most certification tests are proctored to prevent cheating. So if an employer can overlook the above then the tests will have utility. But I'm betting they'll be of little value in the job market until the above is corrected.
     
  10. JNelson467

    JNelson467 New Member

    Hello Laferney,

    To clarify on your comment, the tests are timed and although I agree with your points, what one needs to understand is that when a individual enrolls to take a cert test, it is recorded in that particular role or skill meaning that, when a potential employer or HR should choose to inspect the candidate or cert. holders credential and scoring, it also will show how many times the candidate or cert. holder took the test.

    Basically, one would have all of their attempts visible to that cert. which, in my opinion, is not a easy way to gain a test. Unless you failed it once and studied, then attempted it and passed.

    Failing it several times and then finally passing and it being shown the dates, times etc. of the attempts would not be one i would give as a reference of skill on a resume.

    I have taken some of the certs for sheer challenge and to better identify my strengths/ weaknesses etc. and also, I am encouraging my employees to take them so I can see where they are in certain skill assessments. It's free to test and should they pass, I will pay for their cert. costs should they want it.

    Just sharing my thoughts.
     
  11. laferney

    laferney Active Member

    Thank you for the clarification. And for your explanation of how you use the tests to evaluate your employees and encourage them to test their skills. Since you have taken them yourself and understand the process you are in good postion to evaluate their utility for your organization. Thanks again.
     
  12. pugbelly

    pugbelly New Member

    Can anyone suggest a book or a website where I can brush up on Negotiation Skills? The Negotiation Skill test is killing me by just a couple of points and it's the last one I need to complete the set.

    Pug
     
  13. finguy

    finguy New Member

    Has anyone come up with an application for these Rutgers Skill Center tests for academics? More specifically I'm trying to take care of my Business Communications or Managerial Communicatiosn Requirements from TESC. I found a challenge at a school up in Canada that I may try. If that doesn't work I found a correspondence class with LSU, but I'd like sometime even faster or maybe less expensive.

    Any thoughts whether this can be applied?
     
  14. FLA Expatriate

    FLA Expatriate New Member

  15. Arch23

    Arch23 New Member

    Thanks for the update. Please add other schools as you discover more.
     
  16. raristud2

    raristud2 New Member

    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 12, 2007
  17. AuditGuy

    AuditGuy Member

    I took a look and it looks great.

    I selected one of the certs, it has 8 skill tests listed for completion. However, I can't view the price anywhere? Just want to see the total before I start.
     
  18. AuditGuy

    AuditGuy Member

  19. Lajazz947

    Lajazz947 New Member

    To Pugbelly

    The negotiations test is also killing me. A friend suggested the Donald trump book on negotiation.

    Man, I thought I knew a thing or two about negotiations but I guess not.

    Good luck.
     
  20. FLA Expatriate

    FLA Expatriate New Member

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