Grantham College

The point is if a DETC school were offered RA it would take it in a second. Unless there is a extremely important reason, why not choose the best (RA)?

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Best Regards,
Dave Hayden

 

I'm pretty familiar with Troy State because they had a satellite campus in Florida where I used to live. I didn't know they now had an online program though. Their reputation wasn't very good among the locals there as far as the quality of education went. There were much better choices available, although I knew quite a few people who went there and were able to obtain positions with local companies with no trouble. I'll definitely check into the new program. Thanks for the info!

 

Point taken....Aside from the fact of being able to study at my own pace as mentioned in my previous post. What is the major factor keeping a DETC school from achieving RA status? Money??? There doesn’t appear to be a residency requirement of any sort.

Fred

 

... What is the major factor keeping a DETC school from achieving RA status? Money??? There doesn’t appear to be a residency requirement of any sort.[/QUOTE]

I asked the same question in another thread. I have since read the Sperling book mentioned in that thread, and it does provide insight into the obstacles one has to overcome to get regional accreditation.

I think many of the DETC schools (and certainly the CA-approved schools) are simply not generating enough revenue to be able to meet RA expectations for the level of faculty involvement, interactions with students, services to students, and monitoring of quality.

 

I asked the same question in another thread. I have since read the Sperling book mentioned in that thread, and it does provide insight into the obstacles one has to overcome to get regional accreditation.

I think many of the DETC schools (and certainly the CA-approved schools) are simply not generating enough revenue to be able to meet RA expectations for the level of faculty involvement, interactions with students, services to students, and monitoring of quality.

 

I realize that RA is considered the preferred way to go but what if someone, like me, can't attend a RA school unless they move?

Also, it is confusing to say that a DETC degree isn't as good as an RA degree when large corporations will provide tuition assistance for a DETC degree. As a matter of fact, my employer, Union Pacific Railroad, won't pay for on-line courses even from reputable universities such as the University of Maryland!

I have attended 3 RA colleges. I have found that their programs are no better than a DETC program. So, I believe that the RA colleges and universities are simply trying to cast doubt on a DETC degree because they would lose students and, consequently, money.

Anyway, I shouldn't have to move in order to keep some college professor employed.

 

Why not? Some people that are enrolled in these programs may have access to the necessary materials to do the labs. Also, some people may choose to buy the equipment and materials to do the lab. Or they may know someone that has access to such equipment. Or they could rent the lab materials.

As for Grantham, I'm pursuing a BSCSI. I have my own computers and have applied what I have learned by creating my own network using Linux servers and Windows clients. I may add an OS/2 Warp client later. A resourceful student will find ways to apply their knowledge and find ways to do lab experiments. :-D

 

Grantham offers a few variations on the CS degree program. I chose the Internet Engineering option. This option wouldbest be done with access to a real client-server environment. I created my own with a Linux server and Windows clients. M$ is too proud of their server software. Anyway, Grantham does provide simulation software for installing and configuring servers and clients. I'm just lucky enough to be able to setup my own LAN and provide services to internet connections.

 

Ah, a dose of real world experience cuts through the rhetoric of what ifs and hypotheticals. I too have attended several RA institutions - six to be exact - and we share a common conclusion.

 

I am a Grantham graduate-BSEET-1994. I found the program to very tough, there's no way you can graduate without really learning advanced math.

This degree has served me well in the telecom field. Have continously risen up the ranks, have never been at a loss to understand the technical stuff, and no one has ever questioned my Grantham degree.

 

Jim, I see we have a number of things in common. Both have completed a DETC accredited degree program, both appear to be pleased with that experience and the quality if learning involved, both appear to be successful, and both are nearing the end of a regionally accredited doctoral program. I too am a Capella learner. I am putting the finishing touches on my dissertation and hope to be fully out by end of March. I will be attending commencement this summer. Have you already fulfilled your summer session requirements or will you be in Minnesota in July?

Apparently, those DETC degrees were no barrier to our professional or academic success. On the old alt.education.distance newsgroup, we would have been referred to as "anomalies".

Are you aware of the eGroup started and maintained for and by Capella Learners? It's a good place to interact with others in your program and to exchange information and ideas regarding research, comp topics, dissertation ideas, frustrations, successes, etc.

If not, let me know and I'll forward you how to get there.

 

That's strange. MTS Systems accepts
the Grantham credential and covers
the cost 100%. MTS builds
custom material/systems test equipment
for them. We do quite-a-bit of business
with them too.
www.mts.com

 

by all means-please send me info about this group--would love to be in touch with others. I need to go to a summer session--just haven't decied where yet (Minnesota or Virginia?)

As for getting around DETC--I sort of cheated. I did the Heriot-Watt U MBA. They didn't care about undergrad at all. It was a very tough experience, but I got through it, and had a wonderful experience at graduation in Edinburgh.

______
Apparently, those DETC degrees were no barrier to our professional or academic success. On the old alt.education.distance newsgroup, we would have been referred to as "anomalies".

Are you aware of the eGroup started and maintained for and by Capella Learners? It's a good place to interact with others in your program and to exchange information and ideas regarding research, comp topics, dissertation ideas, frustrations, successes, etc.

If not, let me know and I'll forward you how to get there.

[/B][/QUOTE]

 

I knew they had started offering the 3 day focus seminars in Virginia, but I didn't realize they were now offereing the summer sessions there too. Do you know where?

 

Qoute from PaulC
"yet Saab is still making cars and well informed people are still buying them."

Or at least "semmingly" well informed People.


"There is no universal and absolute "gold standard" in accreditation any more than there is an absolute gold standard in automobiles."

Sure there is. You certainly could call RA the gold standard, DETC silver or bronze, and unaccredited the rusty iron. Just as the automotive world has the MB/BMW/Lexus, Toyota/Honda, and Yugo levels.


"RA is always better in a vacuum"

It is pretty clear that RA IS always better. It doesn't mean there isn't a place for DETC degrees. Just that everyone enrolling in a DETC program should think long and hard about it before doing so.


"I have joined in with others in offering to newcomers that RA provides far more options. With that in mind, I hope Saab keeps providing an alternative choice, albeit not a particularly popular one."

In that we agree. It would be nice if the degree mills and near degree mills would go away but DETC provides a valuable service in providing competition and choice in the educational field.




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Best Regards,
Dave Hayden

 

My prediction is that they will "go away" as accredited education begins to address the entire array of needs of learners (economic, social, psychological, and other) and as society begins to examine the phenomenon of credentialism. Ten, fifteen years to there? Probably longer. In twenty years, I'll review my prediction.


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Quinn

 

Qoute from PaulC
"yet Saab is still making cars and well informed people are still buying them."

Or at least "semmingly" well informed People.


"There is no universal and absolute "gold standard" in accreditation any more than there is an absolute gold standard in automobiles."

Sure there is. You certainly could call RA the gold standard, DETC silver or bronze, and unaccredited the rusty iron. Just as the automotive world has the MB/BMW/Lexus, Toyota/Honda, and Yugo levels.


"RA is always better in a vacuum"

It is pretty clear that RA IS always better. It doesn't mean there isn't a place for DETC degrees. Just that everyone enrolling in a DETC program should think long and hard about it before doing so.


"I have joined in with others in offering to newcomers that RA provides far more options. With that in mind, I hope Saab keeps providing an alternative choice, albeit not a particularly popular one."

In that we agree. It would be nice if the degree mills and near degree mills would go away but DETC provides a valuable service in providing competition and choice in the educational field.




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Best Regards,
Dave Hayden