National Accreditation Board of Dominica's level of acceptance in US

I realize that we previously discussed this subject and Steve F. has pointed out its merits. However, a colleague is planning to apply to the International University of Graduate Studies for entry into one of their doctoral degree programs and asked me for my opinion as to its level of recognition status and acceptability in the US. In fact, I couldn't provide any advice and suggested that he contact a foreign US credential evaluation agency, perhaps two, to determine if they can provide guidance as to the acceptability of degrees accredited by the NAB.

Any additional information regarding this question would be appreciated.

 

I think you've given some decent advice. One question I've got is, "Acceptability" for what purpose? How do they hope to use the degree?

 

Precisely. We sometimes talk like "accreditation" is a well-defined binary thing; it's not. Sure, one can say that a diploma mill is "not acceptable"; in nearly all other situations, you'd want to ask "what exactly do I want to do with the degree?".
I would say that IUGS degree stands a good chance to get a favourable evaluation at least one NACES member company. I'm far less certain it'll be favourably evaluated here in Canada, seeing as we have far fewer options. So, speculating:
1) One probably use IUGS degree, if it evaluates, to teach in an RA college, IF faculty member already works there or is otherwise known to a search committee. In any competitive faculty search, IUGS would be trumped by more traditional degrees.
2) In industry - most employees do not care about doctorates. YMMV.
3) For self-employed individuals: IUGS would allow one to list "PhD" on a business card, and there's relatively low risk of "ticking time bomb exploding". Having said that, there would be some risk of bad publicity due to that old Chronicle article; IUGS does not seem to be going out of its way to try to counter that with fresh good publicity.
4) For licensure. They seem to slant towards mental health. While I believe someone could be able to get licensed somewhere with this degree, there can be major uphill battle. Proceed with caution.

In short, this may be good path in individual special cases, if the student knows what she's doing. The forum cannot possibly know enough to advise in these cases. Overall, I do not see good rationale for choosing this school over say either California Southern or U. Central Nicaragua (going either for better recognition or cheaper price). In individual situations, there are many more good choices other than these two.

 

I agree. Once you have a job in the college and university system, these credentials might help to increase pay or have access to more course teachings provided that a NACES recognized evaluator recognizes it. However, they will most not likely impress a hiring committee that will wonder how you have solid Master's credentials but decided to get a PhD from a obscure school in an obscure country. In a world with so many people with solid credentials, it will most likely won't work to get you hired.

It amazes me that amount of people that find an obscure school that is recognized in an obscure place and then ask if they can use it to work in a top company in the US or get a faculty position.

I agree with Stanislav, the only use I can see for it is a possible pay bump in a college system for a person that holds already a job or to be able to legally put a PhD in your business card but the latter can also be achieved with a PhD from the University of Sedona or a Doctorate from the Universal Life Church that might be a lot cheaper and easier to get.

 

My comparison with Sedona is mainly because IUGS also offers esoteric subjects such as Parapsychology. However, given that esoteric fields are not regulated, I don't see why a PhD in Parapsychology from the UoS would be a time bomb as it is a religious exempt school that teaches esoteric subjects.

 

Precisely, and I mentioned "time bombs" to convey this exact distinction. While some may be content with a novelty certificate, others may want a degree that at least theoretically can be defended. These are two different markets.
My sense was that the initial market for IUGS was the ABDs in academia, but you're probably right regarding the master's-level counselors and MSW's.

 

In regard to Social Workers or Counselors using a doctorate, specifically a Ph.D or Psy.D, from IUGS, it appears to be a risky undertaking because state boards of these professions will most likely question the validity of such doctorates, specifically those using the term "Psychology". The boards will most probably perceive such usage as a misrepresentation to the public, which is a serious breach of ethical conduct.

 

There may be some truth to this, I don't know. But I don't think that state licensing boards, often run by the Dept. of Public health, are running around checking people's business cards to see how they're advertising themselves. If someone has an appropriate Masters degree and they are licensed based on that Masters degree and they refer to themselves properly (Licensed Mental Health Counselor or something like that) and then they tack the PhD at the end of their string of credentials (e.g. Mary Smith, MA, PhD, Licensed Mental Health Counselor) it's not clear to me that they are violating any laws. Although that probably depends entirely on the laws in the state where Mary lives.

 

How about this for a summary:
A person can be reasonably successful with IUGS degree; in fact, people did achieve success with and partly because of degrees from IUGS. However, IUGS is not a safe enough choice to broadly recommend.

(come to think of it, this is true for virtually any program. Except perhaps for CPA-qualifying Accounting degrees and domestic U. S. medical schools.)

 

Generally, if one is licensed as a Mental Health Counselor or Social Worker at the masters level and obtains either a Psy.D, doctor of psychology, or a Ph.D in Psychology, which is not RA (and APA accredited in certain states) or a foreign equivalent, and adds this degree to their business card or promotional material, they are playing with "fire".

This is due to the fact that many state boards of profession will be concerned that the degree title "Psychology" implies that the holder of the degree is a Psychologist, which may very well result in the public being misled into believing that the "doctor" is a Psychologist.

In addition, the fact that a clinician clearly informs a prospective client, verbally and in writing, that he/she is not a Psychologist, may still not satisfy the state board of profession if there is any complaint made against a clinician by a client, and the board subsequently finds that the doctorate in Psychology was not regionally accredited (and APA accredited in certain states) or a foreign equivalent. In fact, in our very litigious society one has to engage in risk management of this sort, especially in health related professions, because even a single finding of "misrepresentation to the public", can have a lasting impact on one's career.

 

And if you play golf you might get hit by lightning. I know I'm joking about this and that maybe there is some level of risk but I also think you're maximizing (catastrophizing) the risk in these situations. One reason I think so is because I have never once heard of anyone, anywhere being censured by a "state board" regarding such a scenario. The other reason is that these sorts of schools are granting a whole bunch of these degrees. There's a lot of people using them, apparently with success. So I'm really not sure that the sky is actually falling here.

 

Kizmet, it's not a matter of catastrophizing or my opinion but of fact! Let me give you an example. Several years ago I inquired of my state board of profession whether obtaining a DETC accredited doctorate in Psychology would be acceptable by the board. Their response was pointedly sharp; "Misrepresentation of your degree is in violation of state statutes and constitutes misconduct". Nothing more, nothing less.

And this was in a state that did not require APA accreditation but only a RA doctorate or a foreign equivalent.

In addition, I have heard of colleagues who were brought before the board due to allegations of misrepresenting themselves as Psychologists due to their possessing unacceptable doctorates in Psychology.

The point is that the average consumer of mental health services is unaware of the difference between a Psychologist, Social Worker, Psychiatrist, or mental health counselor and that is the rationale for boards of profession being so strict in enforcing the appropriate use of professional titles and how they are marketed/represented to the public.

One last point. It is not a matter of how many individuals are not "tagged" by possessing these highly questionable doctorates in Psychology but if they are the unlucky one who gets caught!

 

University of Sedona offers metaphysical psychology and gives you a powerful ordination certification that allows to become a pastoral counselor in most states. This should cover any legal problem.

 

University of Sedona doctorates cost around $1,300 and the school is not accredited by any CHEA/USDoE recognized agency. The school says that's because there exists no such agency capable of accrediting metaphysics programs.

J.

 

Since these are religious based doctorates, are legal in most states and allow you to practice pastoral counseling. Again, if someone wants just the title PhD in a business card without the concern of a legal consequence, the religious based doctorate can do the trick.

 

deleted - J.

 

So I guess all those people are earning those PhDs just cause they've got a pile of extra money and nothing else to do.

 

Many individuals are obtaining such doctorates because they have a large number of graduate credits or ABD status and wish to have something of value to show for it, a doctorate. I can understand their motivation for doing so. Others do not have the ability or motivation to complete a traditional research doctoral dissertation, and degrees such as those offered at IUGS, provide an alternative and easier means of attaining this goal. And others want the title "doctor".

However, what ever reason, imo, obtaining a doctorate that may be questioned as to its validity, credibility and acceptability is not worth the money because its not a substantive doctorate and imho, it loses meaning as a personal life accomplishment.