Curious is CCU a time bomb on resume ?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Ee, Jun 24, 2001.

Loading...
  1. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Ellis,

    It was in jest! [​IMG]
     
  2. EllisZ

    EllisZ Member

    Russell,

    My response was in jest also. (See the little :) at the end..... /smile/ )

    Anyway: Do you list dates on your resume? Is it odd that the BA comes after the masters and doctorate?
     
  3. cbkent

    cbkent Member

    Russell--

    I completed a CCU (then CWU) MA at a time when RA DL programs were few and far between. I was pleased with the program, and never intended to use it for employment purposes.

    I am now faced with a dilemma--in applying to other schools, a question usually asked is "list all colleges and universities attended."

    Wouldn't failing to list the CCU degree be less than honest?

    Any suggestions on how to handle such a situation?

    Christopher
     
  4. DWCox

    DWCox member

    Be totally honest or your CCU degree will certainly become a timb bomb. Lay your cards on the table and deal with it.

    Good Luck!

    Wes
     
  5. Alex

    Alex New Member

    Christopher,

    I agree with Wes that you are obligated to list all degrees, if the application specifically requests you to list all colleges and universities attended. In such situations I even list the handful of courses I took many years ago at several local colleges when I was in high school, even though I have no illusions that an ancient computer science course would be of any help in landing a job or getting into a new degree program.

    It would be easier to explain why you got a non-RA degree (especially if you have other RA degrees) than to explain why you failed to disclose attending a particular school.

    The "full disclosure" rule applies to applications that request the complete list. On a resume you can be more selective and just list the most relevant degrees and courses. My CV just lists institutions where I earned degrees, not the many institutions where I took one class or a few courses.

    Alex
     
  6. drwetsch

    drwetsch New Member

    Rich,

    I tend to agree. In my business location we can only accept degrees from RA schools. I have received resumes from our HR folks that have included the beloved TrinityC&U and also CCU. I must reject these candidates solely based on the fact that the degrees posted are not RA.

    I am awaiting the day when I get a resume with a degree listed from a DETC school and then I will question whether the policy on RA extends to this accreditation.

    John
     
  7. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Ellis,

    I personally do not list the date of the BA, since 3/4 of the program was completed before the masters and doctorate, however, I do list the dates of the M & D. If asked (by someone examining my CV) I will gladly explain the whole scenario as posted in this thread. Since the BA is RA, I don't think that in 99% of the cases the date is of vital importance. In my post I listed the sequence of events in earning the degrees. On a CV I would list them in order of degree (e.g., B,M,D).

    Russell
     
  8. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Christopher:

    I think it would depend on what information is being requested, and what you intend to use the degree to accomplish. Several thoughts: 1) Is your undergrad degree RA? 2) Is the CWU MA the only graduate degree you have? 3) Are you trying to gain admission into a RA doctoral program?

    Certainly, honesty is going to be the best policy. It would always be unethical to intentionally mislead someone regarding the degree, however, if you applied for a job which required only a RA bachelor's degree, and you obtained the job based solely on your RA bachelors (if this is what you have), nothing unethical has been done. In this scenario, what would it matter if you had 25 doctorates from a degree mill? You haven't tried to mislead anyone, or use the degrees fraudulently.

    Russell
     
  9. cbkent

    cbkent Member

    The CCU (CWU) MA is not a qualifying degree for the RA Masters I am seeking.

    My sole concern is the "character" issue. It strikes me as odd that some consider a non-RA degree to be presumptive evidence of a "character flaw," even where there is full disclosure.

    Clearly, full disclosure seems the only honest answer when confronted with the "list all..." question.

    I don't list the degree on my CV.

    It's unfortunate that the ambition to improve myself twenty plus years ago might be a detriment today.

    The DL world has changed significantly since 1979, when CWU was a good option. I thought I was getting a "good, legal degree," as suggested by an old Bear manual (if my recollection is correct). I certainly never thought it might result in my character being questioned!

    Only time will tell what, if any, effect this may have should I decide to apply for a DL Master's.

    I'll keep you posted.

    Christopher
     
  10. cbkent

    cbkent Member

    Oops! I meant RA Master's.
     
  11. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    I wouldn't list it. As you said, it has no bearing on your admission. Omitting what the school itself would not recognize is hardly an omission. It is the non-inclusion of the irrelevant. Your application isn't a lie-detector test, it's an opportunity for the school to determine whether or not you are a candidate to complete their program successfully. And whether or not you did a CCU master's in 1979 surely cannot matter. If you will be admitted on the strength of your other qualifications, great. Leave it at that.

    Rich Douglas
     
  12. Guest

    Guest Guest

    Christopher:

    Some may indeed have this perception, but I don't think it is legitimate in all cases. Certainly, if one obtains a degree from a degree mill (say a "school" which awards Ph.D.'s for $395.00 based on work already completed), IMO this is an attempt to mislead and defraud. Earning a degree from CCU is a different context. While the CCU degree will not be recognized as a RA degree would, I don't think it is an attempt to commit fraud--therefore, the character flaw issue is null in your situation.

    Russell
     
  13. EllisZ

    EllisZ Member

    I agree with Russell. It is a real degree. You worked for it. You earned it.

    Is it the same quality as an RA degree? That's another issue entirely that does not reflect upon your character.
     
  14. BillDayson

    BillDayson New Member

    I'm not an HR person. But if I were, then I'd try to take a more nuanced approach, where a non-accredited degree could either hurt or help.

    Assuming that the applicant was qualified for the position based on unquestioned credentials, but a non-accredited degree was listed as well, I'd ask about it.

    If it was a degree from someplace halfway credible like CCU or the earlier Columbia Pacific, and if the person said that he or she took the program out of intellectual curiosity or for personal growth, I'd consider it a definite plus. Too many people are only interested in getting a piece of paper as quickly, cheaply and easily as possible. We see that here on degreeinfo. I think that a person who has shown personal interest in his or her subject would be a much better employee in the long run.

    But if the degree was from Trinity College and University, Glencullen or Earlscroft, and if the applicant tried to snow me with how good the program was, I'd throw the application in the trash.

    That's probably how I would handle it too. I wouldn't advertise the degree on my resume, but I would list it on applications when asked to list all colleges and universities attended.

    As long as the school has some educational validity, and you aren't promoting a substandard degree, I think that it would be a good thing on your record. Certainly no worse than taking a bunch of non-credit training seminars or something.
     
  15. Gus Sainz

    Gus Sainz New Member

    I agree with Rich. I am certain most, if not all, RA schools define the terms “schools and degrees’ as meaning RA schools and degrees. The vast majority of them are not interested, nor do they place value on anything else.

    By listing your CCU degree, you run the risk of an evaluator assuming that you feel the experience was relevant and that you think it should be taken into consideration for admission. It won’t, and the only impact that it will have is negative.

    If this information comes to light, I would simply state that you felt that the information requested pertained solely to RA schools and degrees, not to education you pursued solely for personal enrichment, and that you felt it would be unethical to list anything else. I believe you will find that most evaluators will then agree with you.

    Good luck,

    Gus Sainz
     
  16. DWCox

    DWCox member


    Rich makes a good point, few RA institutions recognize unaccredited degrees so why list something that won't be factored in the first place. I think you might have two right answers here.

    Regards, Wes
     
  17. Alex

    Alex New Member

    It may be true that in some situations you would be justified in leaving it off, as discussed by various posters above. Bear in mind, though, that some applications are indeed sorts of lie detector tests. This is more true of job applications than applications for study programs. For example, if you are applying for certain government jobs or other security-sensitive jobs, I would bet that "list all schools" really does mean list ALL schools (accredited or otherwise). To omit any school could make you seem less than truthful, even if the omitted school had nothing whatsoever to do with the job.

    Alex
     
  18. Dan Snelson

    Dan Snelson New Member

    You could also call them and ask them if they want it. I am of the belief that if they won't give me credit for the work they have no need to know. (I suspect they are looking more for poor grades at another RA school that may have them concerned)

    just puttin' in my $2.00 worth (hey inflation is a b*tch isn't it) [​IMG]
     
  19. ashton

    ashton New Member

    Some applications, especially for certain government jobs, ask for a list of all education and all jobs so they can account for your whereabouts during your adult life. If there's a gap in the time line, they're apt to think you were taking terrorist training during the gap.

    ------------------
    Gerry Ashton
     

Share This Page