Boilerplate on MIGS

The arguments surrounding MIGS don't seem to be getting anyone anywhere. I've decided to synthesize my observations and opinions into one statement that I will use as a "boilerplate" when asked about MIGS. I guess I'll respond to specific inquiries beyond the scope of this boilerplate, but I haven't been asked such a question in a long time. This may not be the last word regarding MIGS, but it is mine.

A Boilerplate Response for Questions Regarding MIGS

The School:

MIGS is the Monterrey Institute for Graduate Studies. While formed as a separate company, MIGS's authority to deliver degree programs comes from its inclusion in the approval and accreditation of the Centro de Estudios Universitarios (Center of University Studies), Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, otherwise known as CEU.

The CEU is properly recognized in its home country of Mexico. As such it is included in the two authoritative, applicable listings for foreign (non-U.S.) universities: The International Handbook of Universities and the World Education Series. Inclusion in either meets the criteria for GAAP (see below for the relevance of GAAP here in the U.S.). The CEU meets both.

When MIGS was formed (in early 2000), they developed a relationship with the CEU where MIGS would provide graduate-level, independent study degree programs. The CEU would issue the degrees. It is the responsibility of the CEU--and, logically, Mexican governmental authorities--to exercise oversight and control over these programs. MIGS has been included in the CEU's approval and accreditation, and has also been specifically included in the IHU listing (updated December 2000).

The Process:

MIGS conducts master's and doctoral programs in Business, Education, Psychology, and Health Sciences Research. The programs are conducted by guided independent study based upon competencies identified in each learner's Learning Contract. Students master competencies with the guidance of their faculty mentors. Master's programs culminate in a thesis; the Ph.D. programs require a dissertation. A 3-person Academic Supervisory Committee supervises all programs of study. Both MIGS and the CEU review and approve each learner's program. Finally, the Secretary of Education of the State of Nuevo Leon reviews and approves each student for graduation.

My Views:

MIGS has presented itself inappropriately through its association with other business ventures by the owners.

MIGS has not hired and utilized enough administrative personnel to effectively run a distance branch of the CEU.

MIGS, through its sloppy self-promotion, didn't keep it clear that it is the CEU that approves all degree programs and awards all degrees.

MIGS is not required to be licensed in the state of Florida (where MIGS operates its office). However, there is a registration process for foreign schools operating administrative offices in the state. MIGS didn't follow this process, but is now in the process of doing so. There was great speculation about whether or not MIGS was legally constituted. It is, but it certainly should have gone through the registration process coinciding with the commencement of operations, not after the omission was pointed out during an embarrassing display of incompetence.

A degree earned from this process is one awarded by the CEU, which is properly approved and accredited to do so.

A degree from the CEU meets the only two GAAP criteria generally available to schools in Latin America. (Not withstanding the fact that there are a couple of Mexican universities with regional accreditation.)

Recent research has shown that admissions officials from regionally accredited schools find degrees from foreign universities that meet GAAP as acceptable as degrees from 100% nonresidential regionally accredited schools. And way above degrees from nationally accredited (i.e. DETC) schools.

A review of the available literature reveals that degrees from Mexican universities are routinely accepted in the U.S. as comparable to those awarded by U.S. schools. There is nothing to indicate this will be any different with CEU degrees awarded through this process. Decision-makers will base their decisions on the fact that the CEU is a properly recognized university with the authority to award these degrees.

As for the under-performing MIGS, while regrettable, it should have little or no bearing on the acceptance of CEU degrees. The CEU awards the degree, not MIGS.

There is certainly room for speculation about the usefulness, marketability, and acceptance of CEU-issued graduate degrees in employment and academic circles. But no one really knows, yet.


Richard C. Douglas, Ph.D. Candidate
Centro de Estudios Universitarios
Monterrey, NL, Mexico

 

I believe that MIGS meets GAAP criteria as long as CEU is authorized by the relevant body/government to admit doctoral students in Mexico and to award doctoral degrees in Mexico to Mexicans. If this is not the case, propective students should look elsewhere.

Ike Okonkwo

 

MIGS has two problems in my view.

First, where/how/when/what is the quality assurance at MIGS. They claim full accreditation (GAAP) but have apparently bypassed the normal quality assurance (QA) that one would normally expect with accreditation. I assume that they have bypassed the QA processes because there's no mention or explanation on how this was/is done. It is understood (or can be learned) how a USA school or a Mexican school can be accredited and what QA processes are put in place to ensure the quality. I believe that this is especially important for a new school. In my opinion what Rich's argument on this point essentially boils down to is that MIGS is not a school, CEU is a school and the diploma's are awarded by CEU. QA is a CEU responsibility. If that is the case then perhaps MIGS should define it.

The second problem MIGS has in my view is that the apparent owners of MIGS have, in the past, apparently been involved in get rich quick schemes, diploma mills, mail fraud, sleazy advertising of MIGS itself and the administration/ownership just seems to exhibit an overall degree mill type attitude. For more detail, on this aspect especially, do a search in this forum for some old threads.

 

Just for the record, I agree with Bill whole-heartedly on these points.

Rich Douglas

 

Hi, Ike!

It is my understanding that CEU does not offer residential doctorates in Mexico. Notwithstanding, CEU offers residential Master's, probably in business or in a related field. One of my concerns is to know why it is not possible to transfer from MIGS to CEU to study residentially in Mexico, even if it is for one semester.

Regardless of the reasons discussed ad nauseum (sp) here, I don't really like the external degrees of the University of London since it is not possible to transfer there to study residentially in London at least for a semester. Conversely, it is totally possible to study residentially at Heriot-Watt University, the University of South Africa, and many other institutions. For me, studying residentially even for a semester makes a great difference.

Best regards,


Karlos Alberto Lacaye
[email protected]

 

Rich, is MIGS approved for VA benefits? So many foreign programs are approved from what I have seen on the VA web site. I noticed that Centro de Estudios Universitarios was approved for VA benefits for their doctor of medicine program.

Bing

 

"MIGS" won't be approved for anything. If the CEU gets an institutional code, great. I'm told by Armando Arias that this is in the works, but I don't have any idea if and/or when they will be successful.

The CEU you're referring to with the medical school is a different one than the one in Monterrey. (Maybe in Xochicalco?) "Centro de Estudios Universitarios" is a common name for schools throughout Latin America.

Rich Douglas

 

Now, that seems confusing. However, It's no different than all the Lasalles or Columbias here I guess.

Bing

 

Kind of. But "Centro de Estudios Universitarios" ("Center of University Studies") is a generic term for one type of institution of higher learning, as opposed to the proper nouns you suggested. The two CEUs are similar in name like Fielding and Union are similar ("Institutes"), rather than, say, Union Institute and Union College.

Rich Douglas

 

So, in a note from MIGS, they told me, "Although we do not have regional accreditation, because regional
accreditation is for schools located in that region of the USA, we are recognized in every state except for DE for state employee compensation."

I don't think this is correct as I am fairly certain that a number of foreign schools have RA here in the U.S.

Bing

 

It is not customary--but certainly not unheard of--for foreign schools to pursue and receive regional accreditation.

I wonder (1) how they determined their recgonition for "state employee compensation" and (2) what the heck that means.

Rich Douglas

 

They said that they went and asked each state in a survey. That's how they determined this.

Bing

 

Does MIGS have a team name/mascot? How about the MIGS Boiler(plate)makers?

 

Of course, because MIGS isn't a free-standing, degree-awarding institution....

The CEU's team name is Los Gallos (The Roosters).

Rich (Radical Duck--dont' ask!) Douglas

 

Rich:

Actually (and Karlos can back me up on this), the correct translation of Los Gallos is not The Roosters; that would not be very inspiring for an athletic team. Instead the correct translation is…

The Cocks!

As in gamecocks, or fighting cocks, or … Oh, never mind.

Hope this helps

Gus Sainz

 

Too, too funny! (Babelfish confirms "The Roosters, btw, but I'd take a native speaker's translation because of the more accurate colloquial usage.)

 

I'm sorry, but the University of South Carolina had that one first. We have no choice but to send Lou Holtz and the Fighting Gamecocks down to CEU for a battle. Citizens of Monterrey -- brace yourselves!

 

Hello, there!

Gallos translated as roosters is the correct academic equivalent when the word is taken out of context. However, gallos translated as cocks is the correct colloquial equivalent when the word is applied to this context. Gallos as cocks have more connotations of masculinity than gallos as roasters.

I hope this helps.

Yours,


Karlos Alberto Lacaye
[email protected]

 

This topic has been moved to the "Monterrey Institute for Graduate Studies" forum.

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Bill Gossett