Central University of Nicaragua Degree Scheme

And California Southern U. the former SCUPS, is now a member of the American Intercontinental University System. Thread here:
https://www.degreeinfo.com/index.php?threads/california-southern-university-is-now-a-member-of-the-american-intercontinental-university-system.61277/

North Central and National University merged in 2022. The North Central name is in the process of 'going away.' Right now, grads of the combined school, who started their studies at NCU will have the option of either name on their diplomas.

 

I was about to address this when I saw you caught it. Nice.

 

As with all such things, the default value is "no" until there is preponderating evidence to the contrary.

In no way would I start such a program in hope it occurs. That stuff is hard enough to understand and predict in one's own country. I can't imagine how hard it would be across borders and cultures.

 

I agree but trying to be positive with the OP. The OP made a decision already, he invested the money and effort to get this degree. As long as the NACES member evaluation certificate is obtained, it might be worth the effort. Going with these gray area options indeed poses a risk that one must evaluate before enrolling. The cost and convenience (distance) were probably the main reasons for the risk but one can end with a credential that nobody recognizes.

 

One thing that happens on these boards is that the decision to pursue a degree becomes so flat, so two-dimensional. I suspect it is a function of the discussion board format itself. But it's not so simple. It's not just pay some money, do some work, get some degree. Real degrees take years of hard work, dedication, sacrifice, and treasure. Also, you will be affiliated with that school for the rest of your life. And, you will have let go of other educational opportunities once you've decided.

With so many accredited, legitimate, and straight-forward options out there, I just don't understand the degree-as-commodity approach, using some school no one has ever heard of, that will raise questions, and offer next-to-nothing in terms of a relationship going forward.

Each of my universities was a unique and interesting experience and I'm proud of my affiliation with each. (I'm a little mad at Union right now, but it will pass--probably when they do.) The learning was only a part of it; that goes for the degrees as well. Each has meant so much more to me in my life. Perhaps that is why I crave it yet again.

 

Well easy question, I guess not everyone is willing or able to give what it needs to get a "real degree".
I believe that UCN International is a small operation, maybe with as many students as this topic has pages
However UCN seems to have been a pioneer of DL long before it became mainstream, this should be mentioned positively.

 

I'm not sure about "before DL became mainstream." When was that, exactly? I do know in the early 2000s at least one poster here earned a doctorate at UCN and received positive NACES evaluation. I think conditions may have changed considerably since UCN found that these (unauthorized - at least then) distance degrees were the Mother Lode - and the bonanza of foreign money could keep fees lower for Nicaraguan students. Or maybe that was the original plan...

Rich Douglas has reminded us of the equation (Bourdieu) more than once on DI. The capital exchange: The student expends his study effort and money for a degree and an education. Question. At UCN, with its current plethora of partnerships and cross-validations, is this still true?

(1) As a foreigner, using distance education at UCN, you still get a degree - but what kind of education are you getting nowadays?
(2) Does anybody here, with the possible exception of Rich and myself, really care?

 

Apologies. Should be "the student expends their study effort, etc." Old-timer's lapse.

 

I only care situationally. Like DEAC, I don't lose any sleep over it. But if people want to make outsized claims (about either one), I might have a response.

 

That's perfectly fair. Then I won't lose any sleep either. Never enrolling at UCN - so why should I? I owe them nothing.

 

Wasn't you that enrolled at Monterrey Institute of Graduate Studies at some point in a PhD with no RVOE? This school has little reputation and you enrolled there for a reason. At the time there were better options but you still enrolled there. I am not being critical about this decision but I just wanted to make the point that people do things because there is a reason for it and perhaps we should respect the decision and not be so critical about it. Yes, UCN is not Harvard but let it be, some people are just happy with any PhD that can come from a school that exists and is accredited by a government. Some people see a high school diploma as an achievement. Let it be.

 

Yes.

Back then foreign credentials were much less understood. No one EVER talked about "RVOE" or proprio or anything like that. We talked about what was generally acceptable to AACRAO, who was in the evaluation business back then. MIGS met that standard. Today, such degrees would be non-RVOE and proprio. Whether or not this is okay is highly situational, and the overall circumstances have changed dramatically since then.