ACCIS new web site

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by pcguy, Jan 15, 2002.

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  1. pcguy

    pcguy New Member

    The new ACCIS web site is a huge improvement. (www.accis.edu)

    I'd love to touch base with anyone who is a student there currently, as I am considering this school.

    Thanks!
     
  2. DaveHayden

    DaveHayden New Member

    Hi Pcguy

    As you may be aware ACCIS has a past that includes bogus accreditation and other questionable activities. Its current accreditation is DETC which is valid but definately a big step below RA and not as useful. You may be better off to choose a program that has regional accreditation and a good reputation. My suggestions off the top of my mind are Excelsior College, U. of Mass., U. of Maryland and U. of London. Good luck.

    ------------------
    Best Regards,
    Dave Hayden
     
  3. Chip

    Chip Administrator

    Hey, PCGuy!

    Let me amplify what Dave has stated.

    While ACCIS programs, by most accounts, are academically sound, the combination of their sleazy past, their substandard DETC accreditation, and the cost of their programs makes them an unwise choice if you either (a) think there's even the faintest possibility you might someday seek a more advanced degree or (b) don't want to limit your potential employability.

    While the number of employers who will not accept DETC degrees may not be large, it's probably unwise to make a choice that will limit you, particularly when so many excellent programs are out there that have regional accreditation and don't have the stigma of ACCIS' past.

    Thomas Edison, Charter Oak, and Excelsior are all respected schools (The first two are part of the NJ and CT state systems, respectively)with a long history of low-cost, regionally accredited degree offerings. All offer CIS degrees, and are very reasonable in cost. (Probably MUCH more reasonable than ACCIS.)

    If you need a computer science degree (among other things, more math, more theoretical study than a CIS), there are dozens of good, regionally accredited CS programs available by distance learning as well.

    Check out the IT forum and/or one of the Bears' Guide books for more suggestions...
     
  4. KidDL

    KidDL member

    I know you have been given a great deal of information regarding this school, past and present from people on this board. Let me just say that IF this school fits your goals and budget then it might be worth considering. There is a bias towards RA degrees on this board and the points the posters make are very valid. Just want to be a postive voice here for you.
     
  5. pcguy

    pcguy New Member


    Thanks-

    I have yet to find ONE student past or present, who had anything negative to say about ACCIS. I've spoken to the folks there many times now, and they seem very helpful. Calls and emails are promptly returned.

    I haven't made any choices yet, but this board certainly seems RA motivated/biased. So far, as I sort through all the data, I still cannot rule out ACCIS. (Although they are not my first choice)
     
  6. KidDL

    KidDL member

    I am glad you are doing your research. If you think this school will serve you well, then I wish you all the luck in the world [​IMG]
     
  7. Chip

    Chip Administrator

    Ah! But this is the problem... at least a portion of the people who pursue DETC degrees, (or unaccredited ones) do their research and *think* that they'll be happy with a DETC or unaccredited degree.

    But then, too often, something in their life changes... their employer of 20 years goes belly-up, a mid-life awakening motivates a desire to go back to school for a doctorate or masters degree, the person decides to change jobs and the new employer only recognizes RA degrees... all sorts of things can come up. And the examples above are all real situations that people have written in either here or at a.e.d. about.

    The sad thing is, if you get less than top shelf (i.e., RA), you probably can't easily upgrade later... you will most likely have to start over, wasting both the time and money you spend on the DETC/unaccredited degree.

    And that is why it's really hard to argue in favor of anything other than RA... unless you happen to own a crystal ball with 100% accuracy in predicting the future.
     
  8. pcguy

    pcguy New Member

    Chip,

    Your point is well taken. However, in all my contact & networking throughout the years, I have never heard of an employer specifically asking the interviewee "Hmmm, is this school regionally accredited?"...

    Obviously if you're applying to be a college professor, or a top dog in an executive firm, this may be an issue. But another fact (that some don't acknowledge) is that if you have good experience, and good references, the degree's accreditation may not be ask important as some people think.

    Yes, if you want to continue your education later, it's important. But then, you can also get a DETC Masters.

    Perhaps I'm a bit naive, but it seems to me this boards posture is: DETC degrees aren't good for anyone, and if you have one, then you either went to a sleazy school, or you made a terrible mistake.

    I don't see it that way. There are plenty of employers (Fortune 500) that take (recognize) DETC degrees - even unaccredited degrees! They may not pay for, or reimburse for them, but they will hire/promote because of them.

    While I agree that RA school have a better over all academic structure, I think DETC schools have a place, and help a lot of folks in a wide variety of situations.

    -My 2 cents.
     
  9. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    No one says this.

    There is hardly a collective conciousness on this board. To find a consensus on almost any issue is challenging, including the value of a degree from a DETC-accredited school.

    DETC accreditation indicates the school in question is legitimate. It also helps the degrees from that school be more acceptable in the workplace. (I agree that many/most employers probably do not make a distinction between recognized accreditors, but no one really knows that....yet.)

    But DETC accreditation is very limiting when it comes to gaining access to RA schools. Everytime someone touts the value of a degree from a DETC-accredited school, someone else will chime in with its inherent limitations.

    Again, no one is calling DETC-accredited schools sleazy on the whole. But ACCIS has been called similar things due to its claim of fake accreditation right up until DETC accredited them. That was very bad business.

    The time to consider the pros and cons of a degree program is before you take it, not after. And a complete view of the salient issues surrounding that decision is a good thing.

    Rich Douglas
     
  10. pcguy

    pcguy New Member

    Perhaps I'm overreacting. But that's the "feel" I get...

    Either way, I'm happy to report that ACCIS has fallen to my "last resort"....

    I am now in the eval process for both UMass Lowell, and USOU. Now it comes down to, who gives me more credits in the transfer. But I think I'll get more from USOU...

    FYI-
    I also spoke with an advisor at USOU, and she informed me that they expect to receive RA in March - although of course they can't be sure.

    Thanks for all the info!
     
  11. DaveHayden

    DaveHayden New Member

    The reason I personally shy away from USOU is cost. Their masters program is over 14k while my local state university is 9k. It just seem excessive. Also their name draws attention to the fact they are DL only. As Lawrie pointed out this is definately a negitive.

    ------------------
    Best Regards,
    Dave Hayden
     
  12. pcguy

    pcguy New Member

    Now I'm confused....

    Just because they are DL only, that's a negative? Will it still be a negative when they get their RA ??!?

    If so, why?
     
  13. It's a negative in terms of the perception some people will have of the degree, not a negative in terms of the quality of the program.
     
  14. pcguy

    pcguy New Member

    Ahhh..ok...I'll be sure to point out their Regional Accreditation (when they get it) [​IMG]
     
  15. DaveHayden

    DaveHayden New Member

    Yes a DL only school is definately a percieved negitive. Also the name is kind of high on "Alternative" scale. The program should be of good to very good quality. I thought cost was an issue PCguy?

    ------------------
    Best Regards,
    Dave Hayden
     
  16. pcguy

    pcguy New Member

    Here's the thing - if it's an RA school, cost is not an issue, because my employer will pay for it 100%- they will not pay for Nationally accredited schools.

    With that in mind, I am now looking for an RA school that will take the *most* credits I already have (from both unrecognized and regional schools).

    So USOU is a good option, as long as they get the RA.

    But in either case, USOU is a better option than ACCIS, right?
     
  17. Absolutely.
     
  18. DaveHayden

    DaveHayden New Member

    I agree however I think the U of Mass or U of Maryland choige would be better. USOU has a limit on transfer credits too.

    ------------------
    Best Regards,
    Dave Hayden
     
  19. pcguy

    pcguy New Member

    I was told I can transfer as many as 90 credits into their undergrad programs - you are required to take a minimum of 30 credits from their program.

    I agree - Umass would be better...but again, it all will come down to who transfers more credits. I should know soon enough - I'll share my experience as it happens!
     
  20. Chip

    Chip Administrator

    Well, I think the fact that your current employer won't pay for a DETC degree ought to be at least somewhat of a reinforcement of the point people are making here.

    The other issue is that organizations that exclude DETC degrees probably do it in the initial screening process, before the prospective employee ever gets to the interview stage. It's actually pretty unlikely that they'd haul you in and go all the way through the interview process if you graduated from a school they wouldn't recognize.

    As to the point about experience and skills mattering more than the source of the degree... well, yes, that often plays a role, and (until recently) a large portion of people working in the IT field, at least in the Bay area, didn't hold a CS (and, often, *any*) degree.

    But if that's the point you're making, why get the degree at all?

    If you're going through the effort of getting a degree for the purpose of increasing your employability, it's hard to argue in favor of a DETC school when there's an equivalent program, often for less money, at an RA school.

    If you're doing it for personal enrichment, then (a) I wouldn't bother with any school, I'd find good books and interesting folks I could mentor with; and (b) Why would you need the degree at all? Why not just take the classes that interest you, or do (a) instead?
     

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