Any legitimate, unaccredited degree-granting entities?

Greetings all,

Any legitimate, unaccredited graduate (doctoral) degree-granting entities out there in the United States these days?

I am not talking about diploma/degree mills, but legitimate programs whose hallmark is DL flexibility.

A long time ago, (before the explosion of DL institutions like UoP, NCU and the likes), there used to be some good to reasonable (to bad, as well) academic institutions. It seems to me these options have nearly evaporated. Is this true?

I am interested in identifying such a program. Can anyone suggest good and flexible DL options. I am not looking for the accredited type--I think I know them all. They are too structured, too much modelled on the "sit and get" approach. I am looking for something that allows flexibility and innovation.

And, I am not looking for a program that is going to award a diploma in some ridiculous time frame for some fee.

Any good advice is thankfully accepted and appreciated.

Kenneth

 

I think there are some -- but depends on the field. What field are you interested in, KKA?

 

I don't think anyone would argue that the Western Institute for Social Research is not legitimate.

 

A handful, maybe. But the great majority of the better non-accredited schools that I can think of seem to offer masters degrees.

That makes your question even harder. Most of the non-accredited doctoral programs that I find reasonably credible aren't DL. Flexible? Who knows.

(I'm not particularly thrilled with most of the accredited DL doctoral programs, if truth be told.)

Several of the California DL J.D. programs perhaps. Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (an acquired taste), just conceivably. Trinity C&S maybe, if you like that stuff. (They are an RA candidate.) Ryokan for a DL Psy.D. (but there are accredited psych alternatives).

 

Here is one: http://www.ucmerced.edu/

But I don't think they offer any DL courses yet.

 

Re: Re: Any legitimate, unaccredited degree-granting entities?

An interesting find Bruce. Here's the listing by the Cal Postsecondary Education Commission:

http://www.cpec.ca.gov/collegeguide/Institution.asp?E0263A

 

Interesting Ideas

Hi Bruce,

And thanks! I agree with Kirkland. It is an interesting find. It is DL in some fashion.

Hi Oxpecker,

I was thinking in the area of the humanities/cultural studies and American studies.

Hi Bill,

I agree with you about those accredited options. For my taste, I think they are worthless, that is why I opted for a South African option.

What are the schools that offer master's degrees that you favor?

Hi Mike,

What made you recommend UC Merced--not exactly traditional DL.

Any more ideas out there?

Kenneth

 

The only reasonably legitimate unaccredited dissertation doctoral program I know of is NWCU's S.J.D.

www.nwculaw.edu