This notion arose here a while ago: the awarding of degrees by non-academic entities like corporations and organizations. I can remember if we noted then that the Boy Scouts of America award doctoral degrees to scout leaders, although they do that in the name of Baden-Powell University. While researching something different entirely, I came upon this press release froma martial arts organization, which suggests that it is happening. ------------------------------ On August 20, 2002, Master Brent L. Fuller was awarded the degree of 'Doctor of Philosophy in Martial Arts' by the Prince Special Council - Special office for Sports and Martial Arts - International Council of Higher Martial Arts Education in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia... On September 10th 2002, Master Fuller was conferred with a Doctorate of Philosophy in Martial Arts by the World Organizer of Martial Arts (WOMA) Martial Arts Institute Division, and he was also Awarded Life Membership in WOMA-USA. -------------------------------
Britisg Govtr intends to do so! Wrongly in my view, the British government announced that it is seriously considering allowing a wide range of organizations (non-academic) to apply for degree-granting powers. An announcement is to be made later this year. Another nail in the coffin for one of the best education systems in the world (albeit that it's not perfect) being ruined from cradle to the grave by 'President' Blair and his (generally) do-gooding crew! I'm not a Tory by the way! Just amazed st what this current dreadful government in the Uk is generally doing, including going to war in Iraq! 'telfax'
From what I recall, the British gov't is aiming for a 50% participation in higher education. Soon, the U.K. will be like the U.S., where we don't allow stupidity and ignorance to prevent someone from getting a degree.
This is clearly an attempt to intimidate the state of Oregon. They are loading the ranks of illegal Ph.D. degree-holders with blackbelt wolves in sheepskin clothing.
This raises an interesting question: What IS an "academic entity" in the first place? What is the difference between academic work and on-the-job training? The FAA Academy offers job related instruction in practical aviation subjects to FAA employees. It doesn't pretend to be a university, and its courses aren't intended to be university courses. It doesn't offer degrees. But many of those courses have ACE recommendations for course credit, and the whole Academy is NCA accredited. So what is it? The University of London's and Heriot Watt's external programs don't offer instruction, granting degrees based on the successful completion of a series of examinations. TESC and Excelsior do similar things over here. Do these programs qualify as academic entities? Why must exams be administered by something called a "university"? If the exams are the crucial element, don't students demonstrate the same thing by passing them no matter who administers them? If law school graduates must pass a bar examination in order to practice law, why doesn't the American Bar Association simply grant J.D. degrees to all those who pass the state bar exam? If the University of London can prepare examinations, why can't the American Institute of Architects, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers or whatever do the same thing? Professional associations seem perfectly capable of writing very credible exams in their own fields. So... Is an academic institution teaching and instruction? Is it examinations? Is it granting academic awards for passing exams? Is it the legal authority to grant those awards? Is it even necessary that an academic entity ultimately have an academic purpose (however we define that)? I suspect that the idea of an 'academic institution' is kind of like a pointillist painting. It looks distinct from a distance, but becomes a collection of dots and splotches if we try to examine it close up.
Re: Re: Degrees awarded by organizations, not schools Yes and No....... Dr. Bear has provided us an example of what many of us call "unaccredited organizations or diploma mills". There are only a couple of legitimate international government accredited martial arts organizations in the orient. Two of these are the KuKiKwon (Korea) and the Japan Karate Association (Japan). These organizations have databases that contain the names of martial artists (1st to 10th degree black belt) throughout the world. The KuKiKwon and the JKA have the authority to grant "black belt degrees" to students, instructors and masters (both honorary and by test). They cannot and do not grant academic degrees. The International Council of Higher Martial Arts and the World Organization of Martial Arts are not affiliated with the KuKiKwon or the JKA. Nor do they have government recognition. If one were to compare the KuKiKwon and JKA to ICHMA and WOMA, the comparison could be.........St. Regis University (Liberia) to Harvard or Yale.............ya, that sounds about right.
I have four peers with whom I eat lunch once a month. Would it be possible for the five of us to incorporate as say the "Once A Month Lunch Association," and begin awarding Ph.D.'s? Great! Please send your $100 "donation" to.....................
