I am going to apply for an unaccredited university

I don't think he is a troll either, but rather someone searching for an obscure program, which has led him to a less than stellar university.

 

I doubt he is a troll* but his last post irritated me after I spent valuable time responding to his answers and providing possible solutions and investigation channels.

I think he is looking for simple answers when none are available.
(*although his English language skills are good and I did wonder at times whether if he actually lives in the USA.)

He mentioned the IGNOU - I don't know if this is a legitimate school or not (it looks good based after skimming thru their site) but their tuition rates are excellent - I found a doctorate program for around $400 per year. Perhaps the OP should be looking at this school for a suitable alternative doctorate (such as anthropology or ecumenics) that might meet his needs.

 

To All,
Please take a look at http://www.ignou.ac.in , then drag the mouse point to PROGRAMMES button (right below the name of IGNOU, near the top of the page), do NOT click . After that choose DOCTORAL DEGREE, then choose number 4 in the coming falling menu TOURISM STUDIES. You will see they have Certificate, Diploma, Bachelors, masters, PhD programs.
If you still have a bit more time, please click on the button NEWS AND EVENTS on the left column of this table to see their new brochure information for 2010 with their programs. One of them is PhD in Tourism Studies.
That's exactly what I need but the erollment is not active now (untill.... I do NOT know. The representative of IGNOU does NOT know too ----------> I have already sent you the e-mail (s)he sent me 2-3 weeks ago).
That's the reason I try to find out this program from another institute and have asked you about this kind of program for several times.
Sorry, I cannot tolerate feelings of being accused as a cheater, scammer... or whatever similar.

 

One should also carefully weigh the ranking of DL-based RA degrees within the hierarchy of academic inferiority, particularly those fully- or nearly-fully tested-out incarnations from one of the big three, as well. It's all about application and utility as it pertains to one's career choices and aspirations...

 

Yes you did, but if it was me I would not accept the word of a
Research and Teaching Assistant, even though he may have been asked to respond to you. I would want to hear what the department head or other school official has to say (although I realize that cultural factors may be involved here).

Another thought: apply for the IGNOU masters program in tourism (yes I see you already have one) but in this case some of the credit could be used towards the doctorate plus you would get to know key people in the tourism studies department - that is half the effort getting into a Ph.D. program (or job in academia for that matter). I can't talk for IGNOU but in many universities rules can be modified occasionally and with the right contacts they might let you earn a doctorate.
There is a famous probverb "If at first you don't succeed try and try again."

 

My secret

Another thought: apply for the IGNOU masters program in tourism (yes I see you already have one) but in this case some of the credit could be used towards the doctorate plus you would get to know key people in the tourism studies department - that is half the effort getting into a Ph.D. program (or job in academia for that matter).

1. I got my MBA/Tourism Management from Columbia Southern University which is an DETC accredited university, not IGNOU. It costed me a lot and I couldn't afford such a tuition anymore (of course - for a normal Vietnamese). I did NOT know IGNOU at that time. What a pity for me!
2. Tks for your kind advice!
3. BTW, I am a university lecturer of tourism in Hochiminh city. I am also a freelance tour guide. www.vietseo.com/web/tourguidelevietlong
I hope to be your companion someday in Vietnam!

 

Here is a recent article about a new QA program at IGNOU.

http://sify.com/news/ignou-to-ensure-quality-in-distance-education-news-education-kdtoucchifd.html

 

Since the degree is a Doctor of Metaphysics, why can't you just think good thoughts about the "school" as payment instead of actually paying them for the certificate?

 

Personally, I'd drop the notice that you are looking to potentially purchase a fake degree from the equally fake BIU.

 

Can't you do a related program doing the research in tourism, I don't get hy such a specific program is so important?

 

Try Warnborough College of Ireland.

 

Are you serious?

 

are you fishing for info to start your own school? checking the risks out first?

 

I can understand the frustrations of the OP. But I feel he is better off not having the degree at all rather than have one from an unaccredited university.

 

AAHEA's member

I found Berkeley International University (BIU) as a member on website of AAHEA who is listed by the US Department of Education, EROD web site Ed.gov under unique ID # 7510 as well as The Higher Learning Commission and AACSB Int. http://www.aacsb.edu/resource_centers/assessment/links.asp.
Please go to About Us - AAHEA ------> type "Berkeley International University" into the box FIND A MEMBER near the top of the page ----> SEARCH
AAHEA states that "We accredit all legitimate educational organizations. This includes colleges and universities, privately owned schools and online and certificate granting schools. We are operating within the US Governments minimum two year window before full recognition."
Does the infomation work for BIU at all?
I am looking for your advice!

 

AAHEA is fake, it has taken over the name of a closed agency. It is fake as heck. The The Cron Inquiry Into Higher-Education Group Reveals Odd Connections - Faculty - The Chronicle of Higher Education did a story on them, also check wiki, Talk:List of unrecognized accreditation associations of higher learning - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Have you tried the University of South Africa? They do offer a lot of distance learning programs. I'm not quite familiar with them. I believe you can do your research from Vietnam with minimal on-campus requirements.

Doctor of Administration in Tourism Management

Unisa Cart - Info

If you want a degree from an American school you have to ask yourself the following four questions:

1. Is it Regionally Accredited? 2. Is it Nationally Accredited 3. Is the school State Approved? 4. Does it have religious exemption? I doubt BIU has religious exemption. It is not regionally or nationally accredited. So that crosses out two more. Is it state approved?

http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/religious_exempt.aspx

 

If I recall this scam is ran by an Australian individual using a Yahoo website so he gets a US suffix. I note the BIU web site disallows Australian students.
Judging from the website I suspect the owner is trying to sign up Asian students using the "Berkeley" of "UC Berkeley" fame

 

Why choose a legitimate distance learning site to flaunt your choices for a degree mill?

 

About IGNOU

Hi

For what it's worth...

I've no real interest in tourism at all, and I'm far from an expert in degree mills either - but you've also been talking about IGNOU (a real school) and its great fee schedules - so here goes:

IGNOU got wise a couple of years back and now has two fee schedules for everything:

One (dirt-cheap) for Indians and citizens of other SAARC countries.

Another for foreigners - and it's sometimes 40 times (!) the domestic rate!

It's sometimes difficult to find the "foreign rate" but it's there, usually quoted in $US! Caveat emptor!

Johann