Any students from NorthCentral U?

Re: CA Options

It is unclear what "satisfactorally recieved" (sic) means. By whom?

(Plus, this is a bit like watching Norm Crosby type! )

There is no reason to believe that California Pacific could become accredited. During my two visits to their offices (in two different locations), they seemed really, really small. I doubt they would have the staff necessary to carry out such an effort. That is reflected in their degree programs, as well.

RJT is correct--if not typo-free--in saying that CPU has never had any trouble with the "CA Borard." (sic). Their programs have been approved since the late 1970's.

As for Pacific Western....riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

 

Re: Fathom

Oh, it's believable, alright.

As for California Approval being "slightly less than RA," well, I'd like to see the supporting argument for that. John's survey of admissions officials flatly rejected such a notion. I've never seen such language in any company's policies regarding the acceptability of college degrees. There are a few, narrow situations where a degree from a California-Approved school might allow someone to sit for a professional license, but that's about it. Calling approval "slightly less" than accreditation is self-serving, naive, disingenuous, or a combination thereof.

 

Knowledge

You may be right in the world of Academia, but who cares? Unless your going to teach, the legal degree form a CA Approved school is just fine. Also, if you are getting a Masters/PHD at a CA Approved school, you will not be generally transferring to an RA Institution, as you'll be finishing in the CA model. Bottom line, in the business world as the old Coopers & Lybrand model states: "it's not just knowledge. It's Knowhow!"

 

Re: Knowledge

I believe that you're confusing education with credentials here. You can get an education many different ways, on the job training, buying a book, talking to the guy sitting next to you in the waiting room, etc. Generally, a credential is going to be required to get a large percentage of the more attractive jobs.

In order for the employer to get a better feeling for whether or not someone will be successful in the job, the policy will frequently require a credential. When comparing job candidates with similar work experience the deciding factor is very frequently the respect/value of the competing credentials. For example, the Harvard graduate will typically have an advantage over the state college graduate. At the very bottom of the totem pole, the credential held in lowest regard, is the unaccredited degree. I believe that unaccredited degrees are generally held in such low regard that few people will appreciate that a California approved degree is better than a diploma from a degree mill that doesn't even bother teaching any classes.

Note: there are exceptions to this generalization of unaccredited schools. I usually don't bother mentioning the exceptions. One exception is Bob Jones University which have earned a fine academic reputation. Other exceptions are some small institutions that are very specialized. The quickest, easiest and best way for a general education institution to earn the required respect is to become accredited.

 

RJT: I am not sure how someone could get the degree in nine days. I guess I could fathom it this way. If someone is able to obtain their RA degree with Laurie Miller's model in four weeks, and CA approved is slightly less than RA then ... .

John: Sorry, no. American Journal's undercover reporter submitted a resume showing no prior learning, and no new work was required.

As for CA approval being "slightly less than RA" -- from the 2000 survey:
Percent of registrars who always or almost always accept RA degrees: 100%

Percent of registrars who always or almost always accept California-approved: fewer than 1%

Comment?