California Coast University announces DETC accreditation application.

Ah. Interesting question. I think DETC either does accredit professional doctorates or is in the process of getting recognition to do so. I guess CCU could offer a Psy.D but not a Ph.D in psychology, an Ed.D but not a Ph.D in education? A DBA instead of a Ph.D in business?
But is this not a distinction without a significant difference?

Nosborne (JD, not Ph.D in law)

 

The only doctorate accredited by the DETC is a JD from Concord School of Law.

There is discussion of expanding its scope top include other doctorates.

 

I can't speak to cpu, but AIHT is a joke. Owned by Lloyd Clayton, who also owns the nonwonderful Clayton College of Natural Health, the coursework for its doctoral programs are laughably simplistic, and (last I looked) they allow you to claim various questionable training and other "prior learning" toward the doctorate.

They also offer degrees in "naturology", which they seem to have invented; no one else offers it.

Westbrook, another nonwonderful, is very similar... I remember in 1997 that their admissions people were claiming they would have regional accreditation by 2000. About as likely as Chadwick or Century getting RA.

 

As I understand it, the DETC experimented (or is experimenting) with accrediting schools offering first professional degrees (like Concord). But I don't believe they're cleared to do so by the USDoE. I think it was described as kind of a Catch-22. The DETC has to demonstrate it can do it to get approved to do it. So it has to do it for awhile without approval to get approval.

As for academic doctorates, they've not yet moved into this area. But rumors persist....

 

According to their web site, DETC is presently recognized by DOE to accredit through the first professional degree.

Nosborne, JD

 

Correct. At least Chadwick is state-licensed and dumped the WAUC "accreditation."

 

While they say "never say never", I believe it is highly unlikely that CPU will ever seek DETC accreditation.

David April, DBA (from CPU)

 

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After speaking with Dr. William Barcroft of Calcoast it is my understanding that CCU will not terminate any of the doctorate degrees.

Applications and admission for all the doctoral programs will continue until -- I think June 01, 2003 -- after which time no new doctoral students will be admitted until after CCU is granted accreditation by DETC. After this time it is anticipated that all doctoral programs will be reactivated.

My guess is that CCU is banking on DETC gaining approval to accredit doctoral degrees and will pursue inclusion of the doctoral degrees at a later date.

I've been known to be wrong but that's my take on the situation per a brief personal conversation with CCU's Dean of Admissions.

 

Useful. T'anks.

 

Thanks, Wes.

Scenario:

1. CCU drops its doctoral programs.
2. CCU becomes DETC-accredited.
3. DETC doesn't begin accrediting doctoral programs.

At that point, does CCU stay with DETC accreditation, or would the lure of its lucrative doctoral programs cause it to drop DETC?

 

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Your scenario could very well materialize.

With the ever expanding DL method-of-instruction and consumer acceptance, I think it's inevitable that DETC will eventual gain USDOE approval to accredit doctoral programs.

If so, the issue becomes, How much time will it take for DETC to gain approval to accredit doctoral degrees?

Will CCU wait on DETC – for the long-term quite possibly – if something slows the process?

 

Here's what DETC says in their FAQ:

Q. If an institution offers a Doctoral-level degree program, may it apply for accreditation?

A. No. All of the institution's programs and degrees must qualify to apply. At the present time, the Commission's recognition by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation extends through the First-Professional degree level only.

Here's a page from the Department of Education listing the degrees that they consider to be research doctorates (and presumably still beyond DETC's scope):

http://www.ed.gov/NLE/USNEI/us/research-doctorate.html

I notice that such things as D.A.s, D.B.A.s, Ed.D.s, D.M.A.s, D.F.A.s, Th.D.s and D.P.H.s are listed here. The first professional category includes J.D.s, M.D.s and a host of other medical-related degrees in pharmacy, optometry, chiropractic and so on. The relevant point for DETC is that most of these fields are already pretty tightly controlled by state laws, professional accreditors and licensing boards.

I didn't see Psy.D.s. on either the research doctorate or the first professional lists, and they are big business with several CA-approved schools. Of course, the APA already has this locked up in most states besides CA, and CA-approved degrees already work in that state, so the question is probably moot.

I wonder how much use DETC will end up getting out of this "first-professional" concession. They really need to crack that "research doctorate" barrier, and I'd guess that there will be strong resistance to that. Professors do tend to defend their turf.

 

When CCU applies in the summer, how long would it be until they know if they get accreditied?

 

Here is the word I got.

I too spoke to admissions today (as most of you are aware I am currently working on my MBA at CCU having completed my BS late last year) and I was informed that it could take over a year. I asked if it was possible for me to apply to the PhD. program now before the June deadline, even though I have not finished my MBA yet, to which I was answered a very assured NO. Oh well, I had to ask before the prices went up.


Veritas,

Michael

 

Re: Here is the word I got.

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Has CCU ever completed the necessary process to be removed from the Oregon list?

Unaccredited schools can submit to an Oregon review process for removal from the list. BJU is the one example I could provide that has completed this process.

 

Re: Re: Here is the word I got.

If you don't ask, they can't say no. And they probably would say no.

The Oregon list seems to include many of the more popular California approved programs while excluding many degree mills.

I can't guess why they accept the SCUPS psychology program. Maybe it is accepted by the authority that regulates psychologists in Oregon?

 

Re: Re: Here is the word I got.

Not that I know of. If they did, they probably would be removed from the list. SCUPS successfuly submitted its psychology programs I believe, and I have no reason to believe that CCU's programs are in any way inferior.

 

Re: Re: Re: Here is the word I got.

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I spoke with the gentleman (whose name I can't recall) in charge of the Oregon website, while enrolled in a Calcoast doctoral program. I was told that any and all out-of-state unaccredited institutions could submit to an Oregon review process and potential gain acceptance by the State. BJU was used as the example.

 

Re: Re: Re: Re: Here is the word I got.

I have learned that DETC will require that a certain (unknown %) of examinations be proctored.

 

Well, this makes the Oregon "list" appear somewhat less draconian. Interesting information, guys.