"easy courses and programs" ICK!!

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No, no, no. Not 50%, a scaled score of 50. GuitarMark is correct, the passing rate is scaled against real "C" grade butt-in-seat students. This is why some tests have a lower/higher passing threshold. Does anyone here still have that pdf file saved that goes through the whole scale development? It was put out by The College Board. I don't have it saved. Anyway...carry on. It really doesn't have anything to do with this thread lol.

 

Actually I am not willing to let the student decide. I am an employer that requires master's degrees. We have to have people who can perform a specific set of skills based on their training. If they are going to work for me, I have to be sure that they have met a minimum standard in the areas they are going to work. The people they serve depend on it. The knowledge base matters. Their ownerships of the information matters. Their ability to get licensed or certifed matters. Over the years, we have moved to accept only RA programs because they are all that meet the standard. I am not looking for people from the easiest programs. I am looking for the people from programs I know produce skilled practitioners and meet a standard. Yes I suppose there are easier programs, but all meet a particular standard. So I return to my original point, I am not willing to let the student decide the standard.

 

Easy is a relative term I think. You're right to a point, most people that ask for "easy" courses are looking for something they don't have to learn, just rote memorization. That being said, I wouldn't hesitate to look for an "easy" course/CLEP whatever to fill elective requirements or something else unrelated to my actual area of study. Simple reason why; I want to put forth the effort and learn what interests me, not what some college pairs with my degree to ensure they get their money.


I also disagree about the CLEP opinion, but that's just me as well. Since I'm in the military, I get to take CLEP/DANTES for free the first time, and I'm always looking for an edge to get free credits in case I want to pursue something else, so the easier the better. That's not to say I don't enjoy reading about things, but I use the same mindset for some CLEPS that I do for free electives; nice to learn, don't need to pore myself over the material if I'm not going to utilize it.

 

http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/highered/clep/CLEP_scores.pdf

And for the ACE recommended score:

"The American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT) has evaluated CLEP processes and procedures for
developing, administering and scoring the exams. The scores listed above are equivalent to a grade of C in the corresponding course"

Again, it's not to say that you couldn't pass an exam without studying. Or do a cram with online material - but you could also do the same for many B&M courses. My point to everyone isn't that this is an extremely rigorous process, just that there is sufficient rigor with CLEP/DSST/etc. for most accredited universities to give people college credit for these types of exams.

 

I have no objection with most of your comments here, and as an employer it's certainly your right to set the standard. However, when you said

it seemed to generalize more than your specific case when talking about "easiest" degrees. I can use a specific example - me. I certainly held all of the experience necessary to do my job, but didn't complete a degree, which I perceived to be a negative should I change employers. I wanted the quickest, easiest (at least to me) and cheapest way to complete a degree so I could pursue master's level study. A year, around $5K and 37 exams later, including as many "filler" exams that I could incorporate and cram material for most, I had an accredited 4 year degree. Assuming for a second that I didn't then go on for my MBA, if I applied for a job that required my level of experience and a 4 year degree would I be "tricking my way into a job" for an "unearned title"? I don't think so.

I agree that many people look for the "easiest" degree because they just want the paper. However, I've also given my exam formula to quite a few co-workers over the past 5 years so they could complete their degrees as well. Total number that have completed their degrees to date: zero. I'd argue that even the "easiest" regionally accredited degree is still somewhat of a challenge...

I do have a question about your desire to find people "from programs I know produce skilled practitioners". Assuming you're talking about undergrad programs (as you also require master's degrees), do you also require a certain major, etc? I've hired great people over the years with undergrad degrees in political science, music, etc. as well as computer science and engineering.

 

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Thanks, but that's not it. It was long- maybe 10 pages- and it explained in detail how the scaled score of 50 was reached. It didn't explain specifically
for any test, but it gave a great overview of the process.

 

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As an employer it is your right and responsibility to choose your employees wisely. Who would argue with that? Not me..... but that wasn't your original argument.

But in any event, the student still gets to decide the standard - not the same issue as which type of student you hire.

 

You aren't the only one. I'm not really angry though, mostly resigned and increasingly cynical.

Lower cost is a fine objective. I worry about speed. With DL we have a population of students who are trying to fit higher-educxtion in alongside their existing jobs, families and commitments. That would imply that DL programs would naturally take longer to complete than full-time on-campus programs, since students will be devoting significantly fewer hours each week to them. Instead, there's a widespread expectation that DL programs be much quicker. And that in turn suggests that corners are likely being cut.

It's often about pieces of paper. The academic content just kind of drops out, leaving us with reductio-ad-absurdem threads about how many CLEP exams can be passed without studying. We've had threads inquiring about doctoral programs that never thought to mention the subject of the degree that was being sought. It didn't really matter, just so long as it was a doctoral title.

 

I personally don't care if someone is looking for an "easy" degree; that's not anyone's business but their own.

 

What materials come with your program?

 

There are some in academia who have the opinion that DL degrees are inferior to those earned on campus. You don't actually get the "college experience" which is integral to your educational journey by taking courses at NCU or AMU.

You could make the arguement that many also believe that DL degrees are easier than a traditional degree. So, really all we are talking about here are varying layers of easiness.

You have a DL degree since you could not participate in the traditional method of on-campus learning-for whatever reason it is-you took a non-traditional route. Therefore it was "easier". People come on here and ask for the easiest degree. Its just a different level of easy compared to our DL degrees.

 

Mods if this is inappropriate to link then please remove this post but I believe that he's referring to this--> sfij.info

He does offer a disclaimer that it's unaccredited.

 

Well that is the point I don't lie I offer a degree to those "Called by God" to get one for free, its no less honest ok for me maybe more so than the Universal Life Church (Modesto) the church organization I'm attached to. I even think their degrees are to be mocked I target all degrees in religion that are not secular as being silly so why not get one of my ministries its just as legitimate. But it pleases me to take a higher ground than say Patriot Bible University they are a real problem not mine anyone going to my site will get these are not the same as a degree from say Princeton Theological Seminary I would assume.

But am clear they are free, unaccredited, offered on the grounds they are to be used legally and are both legally issued (in Florida) and are honorary if there is a legal issue with them. I can't find anywhere a degree can't be both honorary at the same time when issued.

So you want one just ask God clearly wants you to get one. Dr. Charter and I decided to have three a DBS, DD and DMin. so when he gets the e-mailed diploma you can print out there only has to be three of them.

 

Oops, yes, you are right. I was thinking of that but my brain failed me. Regardless, some of those CLEP exams were SO easy. I guess you don't have to try very hard to get a C in some college classes.

 

So you are saying that if a person is called by God and God tells them to get a degree, that they can email this school and the school will then email them the diploma?

Two questions:

1. How is that not a degree mill?

2. Which God?

 

I'll take a stab at question number one. I believe because he is up front about it not being accredited, it's free, and he strongly suggests you use it only where it can legally apply (State of Florida?).

 

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Ba-da-bum-bam. It is a mill.
I've decided to offer master chef certifications out of my basement (for free of course). Technically I'm acting lawfully. Who'd like one?

Jennifer DeRosa
Master Chef, Professional Chef, Doctor of Cheffery