Collegecreditprograms.com : A new college credit clearinghouse?

Scam.

10 characters.

 

Members note: The moderators are also suspicious of this enterprise and are watching it closely. We have deleted a couple of extremely long posts that appeared to be an attempt at advertising. Please report any millish activity from this source that we may miss and we will take action.

 

I'm always interested in innovative programs, but my skept-o-meter is definitely pinned at the moment.

Rich Douglas has raised some good questions above, which I'd like to see answered. Here are some more from me:

Can you provide more specifics on this? How exactly did you work with the military? Was there a contract with one or more branches of the armed services? Which ones, and what years was this program in effect? What was it called?

Can you provide substantiation for this statement? The base education officers at practically every military installation in the world provide detailed information on paths to college credit, including information about the Big 3 schools and credit-by-exam options through them, and certainly DANTES/DTTS is known to everyone in the military education programs.

Please describe exactly who is providing the credits for such competency-based education. Since your organization is not a regionally or DETC-accredited educational institution, it cannot itself award credits. You've mentioned a list of 100+ schools on your website. Do you have specific written agreements in place with each listed school? If not, what criteria was used to determine inclusion of a school on that list?

You've mentioned your "patented system" multiple times. Please provide the patent registration number and name of the patent holder. Additionally, can you describe in more detail how the process works?

You're posting on degreeinfo. This comes as news to no one here. However, it might come as news to you that of the 2900 colleges and universities listed, very, very few allow more than 15 to 30 credits to be awarded for exam or portfolio-based learning.

Well, that's blatantly false.

OK, then please advise how you claim to have programs that award credit via exam or prior learning for masters or doctoral programs, since the accreditation criteria of all of the major (legitimate) accreditors require that degrees awarded at the masters and doctorate level can only be granted based on new work, not prior learning.

OK. Charter Oak, Excelsior, Thomas Edison and Athabasca. All four will take all of the above, and award degrees almost entirely (less a half dozen credits in most cases) for prior learning. That took about 15 seconds to write.

I'm willing to consider the idea that your program may be legitimate, but so far, I'm not seeing much value here, and a lot of misdirection. If you can clarify the issues above, that would definitely be helpful.

 

And we are off...............................

 

Well, a little more digging brings up some intriguing information that lends at least some credibility. Apparently Tim N. Scoggins is the founder/CEO, though he doesn't list his name anywhere on any of the associated sites, which seems... just a little bit odd. Also, there appear to be 3 or 4 different entities, all in different states, associated with these sites.

Further, I see repeated references to "degreequest", and a web search indicates this as the most likely reference to what you're referring (especially since the website design quality is similar, and the list of associated schools nearly identical.)However, the street address listed on that website is in Florida, and your organization claims to be in California. Please clarify. If you are affiliated with the collegecounselingcenter.org website, perhaps you can explain why none of the management team list their full names?

Also, why is it that the "RapidPath" trademark listed on CollegeCreditPrograms is actually a trademark for "computer software for controlling and managing the transfer and routing of data over public and private networks" which doesn't appear to have anything to do with earning college credit?

And there's another website, mylifemydegree.com, which is apparently in the same family as the others, though it claims to operate out of a PO box in Knoxville, TN. What is the relationship between these websites, and why the shroud of secrecy about where the organization is actually based and who is actually running it?

Clearly, the list of clients and achievements is impressive, and provides more credibility... but my skept-o-meter is still twitching, and it would be useful to have clarification on these issues. It's very possible that the organization is legitimate, but if so... the complicated web of interrelated websites and companies, and the somewhat vague and arguably misleading representations certainly don't do much to increase credibility.

 

It appears that they have removed the "Learning Partner" nonsense from their website concerning legitimate schools they were claiming alliance with.

My Schools knew nothing of this website when they responded. The last one finally answered today with " Mr. Blah blah we have no business relationship with the aforementioned so-in-so, Annnnd you know the rest.

They also cautioned against actually using this type of service (like I would ever) when credit acceptance always lies with the transferring institution. There is no cost, and no process to go through other than the usual "submit your transcript and get a transfer evaluation". I am paraphrasing of course but you get the idea. I only took one class with the great school and they still are looking out for my interests. Gotta love'em! :aargh4:

P.S. I would not expect anything further from them on this. It seems they are cleaning up the info on the website(s) too. Sniff sniff, hummm now that still smells fishy to me.

 

Check the us patent office for rapidpath trademark



Word Mark RAPIDPATH
Goods and Services IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Computer hardware; computer software for data storage and data management; computer software for controlling and managing the transfer and routing of data over public and private networks. FIRST USE: 20121101. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20121101
Standard Characters Claimed
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number 85532943
Filing Date February 3, 2012
Current Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1B
Published for Opposition June 26, 2012
Registration Number 4321939
Registration Date April 16, 2013
Owner (REGISTRANT) EMC Corporation CORPORATION MASSACHUSETTS 176 South Street Hopkinton MASSACHUSETTS 01748
Attorney of Record Gerald P. Kazanjian
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

 

The reason I posted The above is mostly due to the use of the rapidpath trademark which they use. There is only one valid use of it by EMC. Two other results showed they were Dead. The trademarked rapidpath is for a computer network service

 

Oops dint notice chips message above... Btw I cant open their site anymore..

 

The site worked for me when I just tried it. However, they are most likely making erronous statement changes (like the learning partner claims) and thus taking it down for short periods.

Thanks to the internet the world is a much smaller place, or is it :eek13: ... Mwahahahaha

When one thinks about it the services they offer on this website they can get those svery ame services HERE from the members for FREE!! Heck, that's what I did when I was starting back out down my degree path back in the day.

FREE I TELL YA! :aargh4:

 

Actually, the technology platform we use (as posted on our site) has 34 patented processes issued for it. What you should keep in mind is that we have these processes PATENTED you can find them US Patented Process No. 6,789,089 B2 “Automated Planning Process” which was filed in 2001 and issued in 2004. (go ahead and Google it - it will come up and it is in the Patent DB as well...)

The technology was originally developed to automate degree planning for the training the military offered as evaluated by the American Council on Education (who started doing this in 1942) and giving college credits for military training. We would take the training courses which we have completed documented in our system so we could then match the credits to universities that would accept them - another thing we update on a quarterly basis thus automating the process of figuring out what training you received and how many credits you can get and what university will accept them and what you need for your degree... lot of work and lots of value! Just as we state. Can't fake a US Patent with 34 process claims.

We launched CollegeCreditPrograms.com as a community program / forum this year because we wanted to have a place for students new and old to network. We will also be introducing new programs this year and felt this would be the best way to present the options for students with a more cohesive environment for social exchange and to be HTML5 compatible for use on mobile devices. Not so hard to understand - it's a marketing strategy - not a SCAM.

Picking apart how we market our product and calling it a scam is short-sighted. Discounting the value of being a verified BUSINESS with Paypal is also shortsighted - we are not even collecting credit card info even more fraud protection offered by us so we are not looked at as a SCAM business.

The proof is in the technology offering and the US patents we hold and the thousands of people we have helped for the past 10 years to get CREDIT at ACCREDITED institutions and not be told the professional training they have earned is worthless making it impossible for them to get ahead without being penalized for having to forgo college to protect our country or work to support their families or...

Again - I challenge you to accept an invitation to see the system in action and get your questions answered. I challenge you to reach out to one of our partner organizations who are very excited about our use of distance education partners because so many students can't relocate to go to schools that are out of reach in order to save time and money with them accepting their FTE or other credits. If you want to speak to a school that has actually worked very closely with us because they care about helping Vets and others get their degree - I'm happy to message you contact info.

One last thing, before you discount the methods to earning college credit in the year 2013 - go to the Department of Education and see what they say about the life and work experience credits, challenge exams and PLA's - they are giving their blessing to them and also making it easy to help students getting financial aide for them. It is the colleges that want to make money and don't want to accept these credits... not the other way around - they are not scams... they are valid methods of advancing your education and achieving your degrees.

 

Yeah, we are not taking the site down. Why would we? We haven't changed any claims.

 

1. We offer a DEGREE plan not college degrees or credits - our counselors have been helping students on a personalized one-to-one basis for 10+ years - it is not a here you go print out - it is an actual consultation based on that individuals situation and what is possible for them to achieve
2. our program was issued a US patent for 34 processes for DEGREE PLANNING in 2004 (filed in 2001) check it out - it shows examples of use with the military training. US Patented Process No. 6,789,089 B2 “Automated Planning Process”
3. This patented process is designed to automatically take each earned achievement of the student, including both traditional and non-traditional educational credit at the college level, and translate the individual’s achievements into a degree equivalent for an institution and list all degree requirements that have been met and all degree requirements that have yet to be met.
4. We gather the records from the student including what they wants to get a degree in and with our technology platform are able to use their PLAs, NTEs, Transfer credits, etc... and find which institutions will ACCEPT the credits and what is required for them to complete their degree. They get a list of schools and options - how much it will cost what is accepted etc...
5. You could go with the 4 options or "top options" when you do a Google Search since those schools pay to be found with all that money and fees they charge for tuition etc... but you could NOT do the research by yourself that even comes close to the data we provide in a matter of hours - which on average saves our students $6K in tuition and 21 credits.
6. We open up a world of options to students with online / distance ed options and the ability to take classes from one or multiple schools and get and keep credits earned.
7. Sure - go to Charter Oak and pay upwards of $400 a credit or go to one of the other schools that offer credits at a lesser rate like Colby Community College for $135 and a $35 resource fee for your DIGITAL book not $135! All depends on the credit you need and that is why we have a system that compares all of that for you. Gives you multiple options. The tuition at the "usual suspect" schools is outrageous and when compared to your specific goals and requirements - (we are not delusional about which school accepts what) then having a system that pulls all this together for you really is worth its weight in gold - and charging less than 10% of what the average student saves is more than a fair and reasonable cost for our planning services AND our resources that are available on demand from tuition-free courses to understanding the ins and outs of getting a higher education.

Again - take us up on the demo - we can't fake an online demo with our platform / database system pulling up options with hundreds of colleges... Inconceivable!

 

Nor answered Chip's questions... :lol:

Johann

 

Yes that's true. I mean why would they answer anyone's questions? Especially one of the oldest, largest and most respected distance learning websites on the internet.
Credibility maybe?

The good news is anyone SEARCHING this group will find out all they need to when reading this thread. They will see the lies and misrepresentations you have failed to address on a REAL open forum.

Oh and Steph, YES you did lol. Also, in your reply you appeared mad. Please don't be :zx11pissed: it's nothing personal - just business.

Finally, I am happy that you are keeping up with this thread :swordfight:

 

Yeah I did... read my responses on the forum.

 

Pooh! Sorry. My passion is not anger... well, unless you like angry ____ *JK*
But really, I'm from a 3 generation military family and I was raised with the only thing I have is my reputation... so truly, I am passionate about things I believe in ;-)

 

Sorry if I missed anyone's questions... please point me in the right direction so I can address them. Marketing strategies are not up for debate. The program is a viable, patented process that the US government filings can prove out dates... so bring it on.

 

Chip - hope you'll review my latest post in response to your questions... but really - aren't these credit costs worth challenging with a system that will help you find a less expensive way to get your degree? In most cases by HALF the cost - and even those with embedded books - and NO book purchases saving another $135-150 per course???

Undergraduate

Excelsior College
$425
DeVry University
$609
Strayer University
$575
UMUC
$499
University of Phoenix Online
$585
Walden University
$420

 

Never had half the assumptions you guys posted - we never ever ever said we issued credits or degrees... and not sure where you're getting "learning partner" from...??