1. Because they're more successful without it (how they define success is up to them. 2. Because they wouldn't get it if they tried., because: a. They're too innovative b. They're quality isn't up to standards. c. They don't fit the "bean counting" mold some accreditors still apply. d. They're not operating on the same level as other accredited schools. (Redundant, but you get what I'm saying.) 3. Because they don't want interference from the accrediting agency. 4. Because they're new. (Accreditors typically want some track record of operation before they engage a school along the accreditation track.) And those are just some of the ideas/reasons. Rich Douglas
How many is "so many"? Some don't seek accreditation from a regional association because they know they'd never get it, and applying would take time away from opening the mail and depositing checks. Some may plan to seek accreditation but to first build up their program. Some may have a religious or philosophical objection to what they perceive as government regulation. But again -- how many is "so many"? ------------------ Kristin Evenson Hirst DistanceLearn.About.com [email protected]
Rich, I mean the real reason why so many schools are not seeking RA. Some seeks other form of accreditation but not RA. Kristin, When I searched through the net under "distance learning" and look at WAUC web site. I think there are more than 50 schools are either not seeking RA or seeking other form of accreditation such as Accrediting Commission for Specialized Colleges Accrediting Commission International (ACI) Alternative Institution Accrediting Association American Association of Accredited Colleges and Universities American Education Association for the Accreditation of Schools, Colleges & Universities American Psycotherapy (sic) Association Arizona Commission of Non-Traditional Private Post Secondary Education Association of Career Training Schools Commission for the Accreditation of European Non-Traditional Universities Council for the Accreditation of Correspondence Schools Council on Post Secondary Alternative Accreditation Council on Post Secondary Christian Education International Acreditation Association International Accrediting Association International Accrediting Commission for Schools, Colleges, and Theological Seminaries International Association of Non-Traditional Schools International Commission for the Accreditation of Colleges and Universities Middle States Accrediting Board National Accreditation Association National Association for Private Post-Secondary Education National Association of Alternative Schools and Colleges National Association of Open Campus Colleges National Association for Private Nontraditional Schools and Colleges National Council of Schools and Colleges Pacific Association of Schools and Colleges West European Accrediting Society Western Association of Private Alternative Schools Western Association of Schools and Colleges (this is also the name of a legitimate regional accreditor) Western Council on Non-Traditional Private Post Secondary Education World Association of Universities and Colleges Worldwide Accrediting Commission Thanks for the comments. Larry T.
Larry -- This looks like the list of accrediting bodies not recognized by the Dept of Education, which I've seen on several different websites. When I see a school proclaiming accreditation from one of these entities, my assumption is that either the administration is naive about the workings of higher education and accreditation -- or they are hoping that potential students are naive and will accept any mention of accreditation. ------------------ Kristin Evenson Hirst DistanceLearn.About.com [email protected]
Kristin, it makes me think those schools knew exactly what they are doing. I don't think they are naive. Your second point refer to as the school is "fraud" toward the prospective students. Larry T.
Some institutions are not eligible to apply for RA. For example, WASC has a requirement that before an institution that operates a law school can apply, the law school must be accredited by the ABA or the California Committee of Bar Examiners. The ABA and California CBE only will consider accreditation for classroom programs. Therefore, regardless of the quality of the program, the institution cannot apply to WASC. And since the regional accrediting bodies only accredit institutions, not individual programs, all programs within such a school (i.e. Schools of Business, or Education) are ineligible to apply.
David, Good point about DL law schools being ineligible to apply for accreditation under the current situation, wherein the regional accreditor requires ABA accreditation ... and the ABA is very leery of DL for the JD (not so for the continuing education which they themselves provide). However, I'd rather see a school explain this situation than claim accreditation from one of the "accrediting" entities not recognized by the Department of Education. ------------------ Kristin Evenson Hirst DistanceLearn.About.com [email protected]
Any school that signs up with the World Association, ACI, or any of the other dozens of fraudulent accreditors (or a school, such as Monticello or Trinity, that sets up its own bogus accreditor) fits into one of two categories: 1. A school run by a bunch of people so completely inept and incompetent that they have NO IDEA that these accreditors are fraudulent, and/or no concept of what accreditation is. 2. A school run by a bunch of sleazebags with no ethics and no morals that are willfully and intentionally defrauding all of their students, leading them to believe that they have a valuable degree that is worthless or near worthless. My suspicion, based on nothing other than gut instinct, is that less than 1% of schools fit category #1, and more than 99% fit category #2. In my opinion, the folks in category #2 are among the lowest scum on the earth. There are lots of stories of folks whose families, villages, churches or whatever scraped together all the money they had to get an education for a promising kid... and lost it all when the degree turned out to be worthless. And THAT is why, in my opinion, schools that are selling worthless degrees for little or no work must be shut down... lawmakers in states like Wyoming, South Dakota, Hawaii must be lobbied, influenced, whatever it takes to legislate these sleazy programs out of existence.
