Kennedy Western

Discussion in 'Accreditation Discussions (RA, DETC, state approva' started by 1stlt, Nov 15, 2004.

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  1. 1stlt

    1stlt New Member

    Good Afternoon Everyone,

    I just registered today!

    I read some of the threads on Kennedy Western, but I did want to make sure I'm getting an unbiased opinion on the school from one of the Senior Members or Dr. Bear himself. Is this school legit? Is KW pursuing regional accreditation? Are there any schools ( accredited) that I can pursue a PhD in science/ health related science with little or no residency? I have 10 years work experience with a MS in Chemistry from Polytechnic University ( Bklyn, NY).

    Any info or resources will be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks in advance,

    1stlt
     
  2. rajyc

    rajyc New Member

    Welcome to the board.

    No and No.
     
  3. 1stlt

    1stlt New Member

    University of Southern Queensland

    Thanks for the quick reply. How is your experience (enrollment, courses, etc..) with University of Southern Queensland ?

    Thanks again!

    1stlt
     
  4. plcscott

    plcscott New Member

    Here is some advice about KWU:

    If they mention anything about becoming accredited, or seeking to become accredited in the future ask them to put it in writing. KWU's admissions counselors are nothing more than telemarketers trying to make a commission off of you, so they will tell you what you want to hear.

    Ask if anyone with a KWU degree has ever transferred or continued on to a RA school. If they say yes, ask for proof, then wait for the stuttering.

    Ask if KWU has any professors or adjuncts that graduated from KWU. If they do not then why will they not hire their own graduates? More stuttering.

    Ask if KWU degrees are legal to use in all states.

    Ask if KWU degrees can be used in government for reimbursement or promotions.

    Ask KWU if you lived in the same state that the school is in if you could still attend KWU.

    Most importantly ask about KWU's standards for admissions and acceptance of experience credit. Maybe they will give you the requirements that KWU has for giving experience credit, and maybe they will tell you how they will assess, and verify your experience credit. Ask them how such credit is shown on transcripts.

    I could go on, but if they answer these questions it should give you a pretty good idea about KWU. You can decide what to do from there.
     
  5. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    Re: University of Southern Queensland


    Good school and solid reputation, however, nowadays you have plenty of options so if you are an american resident you might want to explore local opportunities first. With the weak US currency, it is not as attractive to study in Australia as it used to be. Also, it depends on the level of study, I'm a DBA student at USQ and the requirements for the program have changed a lot from being a total online program to mandatory residencies so even one ticket to Australia and two weeks accomodation might give you the same price as studying in Argory or Touro.
     
  6. grgrwll

    grgrwll New Member

    My understanding of K-W is that you might already be obligated for the full cost of the degree. You may need to seek the advice of an attorney.

    If you expect to actually get any kind of job based on a K-W "PhD" I suspect you will be disappointed.

    If you are simply doing it for vanity reasons, there are much cheaper options -- mainly just printing one for yourself. It will be just about as meaningful.
     
  7. JimS

    JimS New Member

    KWU Student perspective

    plcscott gave his opinion. Here is mine.
    Is it accredited? No, but that has advantages for the school and the student.
    Is it legit? Yes, as far as unaccredited schools go. KWU hires top notch experienced professors from accredited universities to teach the classes. Since KWU is not accredited and does not produce teaching degrees that excludes KWU graduates from teaching.
    KWU degrees are legal for use in all US states, but a few states do not accept unaccredited degrees for government positions.
    Since KWU is not accredited, the Feds will not reimburse KWU tuition.
    Only California has a restriction on KWU accepting residents from California. But California has no law against KWU graduates from using their degree in California.
    KWU is lenient with transfer and experiential credit which is an advantage for older, experience workers (a major advantage of not being accredited). KWU has age and work experience restrictions for new students, to support that policy.
    Is KWU perfect for everyone? No, you have to weigh the unaccredited status against the benefit of learning and recognition of that learning.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 15, 2004
  8. nosborne48

    nosborne48 Well-Known Member

    Um. Oregon?
     
  9. JimS

    JimS New Member

    That is up to the court to decide.
     
  10. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    Where is that thumb stuck?
     
  11. Bill Huffman

    Bill Huffman Well-Known Member

    KWU degrees are illegal to use in a number of states, including Oregon. I expect it to be illegal in more states in the future as more states pass laws against these kind of degree mills. I consider KWU a degree mill. KWU is frequently called a degree mill. (Do a Google search on the web and you will see.)


    BTW plcscott, you win my personal ataboy award for my favorite post of the day!!! :D
     
  12. grgrwll

    grgrwll New Member

    Sure, it is possible that the courts might overturn the law against using bogus degrees in Oregon. It is also possible that the courts might overturn the laws outlawing murder.

    Until they do, both are illegal.
     
  13. plcscott

    plcscott New Member

    No Jim, I gave advice. My opinion would be run in the opposite direction.

    For the school they get a lot of money for doing very little for the student, but for the student? They tell the student which book to buy for a course then the student takes one open book test that covers the entire book. There are no assignments, no required lectures to participate in, and unless a student needs tutorial help they are not even required to ever communicate with a professor/tutor.

    Why? Is there some sort of law that says an unaccredited school cannot hire its graduates? What about the students that already have accredited bachelors and masters degrees? Before attending KWU they would be qualified to be hired by KWU but after finishing a doctorate degree at KWU they are not? Hmmm strange.

    Legal in Oregon, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Illinois (PhD)? In Oregon KWU is still listed as an illegal diploma mill despite KWU filing a suite against Oregon. Oregon does not seem to be changing KWU to legal status.

    KWU has an agreement with the attorney generals in CA, and OR not to accept students in these states. KWU has always been in CA, but moved its license to grant degrees to Idaho and then Wyoming after CA required schools go through an approval process, and then Idaho tightened up their laws. There are approved schools in California with which you can get a degree in Chinese herbal medicine, but KWU either could not or would not go through the approval process in the state where the school is located. Why?

    I agree. If you want to be given a lot of credit without worrying about proving anything you claim then KWU will be the place for you. You could be garbage man, but if you tell them you have been doing environmental engineering then you will receive credit because nothing is checked out. But, if after asking the right questions, and reading these forums, and listening to the senate testimony, and reading all the many articles that have been written about KWU, should you still decide to go that route then at least you are informed. Best of luck!
     
  14. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Re: KWU Student perspective

    Is it for anyone? Sure, unless you get caught.
     
  15. rajyc

    rajyc New Member

    Re: University of Southern Queensland

    USQ Is a good school. Easy enrollment, good customer service. I like the course materials. You can find more information by running search using key-word USQ.
     
  16. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    So my question would be, "Why would anyone want to attend a school where the courts have to decide on its legitimacy? Aren't there other, more clearly better, easier choices?
    Jack
    (of course there are)
     
  17. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    I agree totally with plcscott, and Rich Douglas.

    During the Senator Collins hearings a few months ago, where KWU got more unfavorable attention and bad publicity than any other school, I believe that all three network evening news programs -- at least the two I recorded -- used the words "diploma mill" in association with them. That's an albatross that is pretty hard to shake, in this era of internet information that is available forever. I would not call them a diploma mill, but I also would not recommend them

    More and more of the Australian universities (as well as some British and South African) are offering non-resident doctoral programs, and I've heard from dozens of readers who are doing this.
     
  18. JimS

    JimS New Member

    I have a great deal respect for your opinion Dr. Bear. I used your books when researching for a distance learning program suitable for my situation. I chose KWU partly because you did not label it a diploma mill in your books. I still feel I made the right decision, though the Senate hearings did initially shake my confidence. Yes, it will be an uphill fight for KWU to regain public respect. But, I think they can do it, and I know KWU intends to repair the damage caused by the hearings. I have a great deal of respect for the professors KWU has on its faculty, and am happy with their involvement with my education. When I did my evaluation of distance programs, the Australian and South African universities looked good, but I am not comfortable with risking my money with an organization outside the jurisdiction of the U.S. courts.
    I hope that sometime in the future you will be able to say you recommend KWU.
    Best regards,
    Jim
     
  19. DaveHayden

    DaveHayden New Member

    Don't you find it ironic that K-W won't hire their own graduates?!
     
  20. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

     

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