Online DHA - 12 months - $15k

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by chrisjm18, Aug 8, 2020.

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  1. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    That's true. But so what?
     
  2. copper

    copper Active Member

    The implications are that the USDE has Code of Federal Regulations to follow, hence the variance in terminology and statements like the USDE not distinguishing between NA or RA accreditation. You posted the CHEA website and this private organization is free to have their own sets of opinion whereas the USDE is compelled through the revised CFRs.

    I suggest private schools may get away with discrimination of employee applicants based on NA vs RA accreditation but Federal schools and perhaps State schools not so much since the new standard is now part of the CFR.
     
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2020
  3. chrisjm18

    chrisjm18 Well-Known Member

    Reactions on one of VUL's social media pages.

    Comment: Regional accreditation and I would have been on this! However, I know this will do well. Excited to see!

    Q: Is the program accredited?


    Yes, Virginia University of Lynchburg is recognized as an HBCU by the US Department of Education, certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, and nationally accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). The DHA program was approved by TRACS before it was offered to prospective students this fall.

    Q: Does the school have any plans to obtain regional accreditation from The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges?

    Yes, but our primary and immediate interest is to prepare for the Sept. 1 start date for the inaugural cohort.
     
  4. Jan

    Jan Member

    On the Virginia University of Lynchburg's website, under the rubric STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT, it states the following:

    "Statistically, retention and graduation rates at Virginia University of Lynchberg have not been positive. That said VUL is looking to improve in each area at all levels in regard to retention graduation rates".

    "First there are numbers of reasons why retention rates are low-over recruitment, lack of majors offered, substandard facilities and equipment & in some cases, just not enough for students to do".
     
  5. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    I don't know, man, I can't find anything in 34 CFR § 602 that would prevent schools from having that sort of hiring preference. But, IANAL and all that.
     
  6. copper

    copper Active Member

    ...and you won't because the USDE does not deal with equal employment opportunity issues but accreditation issues and recognition. Discrimination in the workplace, which I certainly agree may be difficult to prove, will have to be settled in court rulings. IANAL and all that as well!
    Actually, after reading federal equal employment laws, it looks like where you get your education is not protected as far as I can tell. Probably right, a frivolous lawsuit!
     
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2020
  7. copper

    copper Active Member

    " It is illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for employers to make job decisions based on race, color, national origin, religion, and sex. "

    Perhaps one could make an argument on graduation of a TRACS accredited school and religious freedom to attend a religious school and subsequent discrimination in the workplace??? Anyway, the dialogue is digressing. I concede, you win!
     
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2020
  8. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    I wonder --- must you have a RA degree to work at USDE (in a non-janitorial capacity). If NA is acceptable - has that changed or was it the case before the declaration? In other words - are they practising what they preach?

    How about CHEA?
     
  9. copper

    copper Active Member

    Who knows? My guess is that in the scenario you propose, it would only display a sense of comical hypocrisy but would not be illegal.
    " It is illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for employers to make job decisions based on race, color, national origin, religion, and sex. "
     
  10. LearningAddict

    LearningAddict Well-Known Member

    This is an example of what tires me about the whole accreditation thing. People are more concerned about a school being RA than they are about its history, its stability, or its ability to provide proper knowledge. And to top it off, most people with that concern don't even understand what they're worrying about. That being said, TRACS has had some rocky situations in the past, but I haven't heard about anything since 1995 which of course was 25 years ago.
     
    SteveFoerster and chrisjm18 like this.
  11. Jan

    Jan Member

    Guys,

    What is your impression of the content of VUL's DHA curriculum that can be completed in one year versus a more comprehensive, substantive DHA degree requiring three years to complete, including a dissertation or capstone project?
     
  12. LearningAddict

    LearningAddict Well-Known Member

    I find it similar to some Dhsc programs, many of which could be completed in one year IF those schools allowed it, like Eastern Virginia Medical School's program for example, except I think that program at EVMS is 42 credits.
     
  13. chrisjm18

    chrisjm18 Well-Known Member

    I have no issue with the duration. However, I think it should have some type of capstone or dissertation. If this program was a DBA and had an identical curriculum requirement as the DHA, I would pursue it. It's fast, accredited, and affordable. After all, I would also have a research doctorate (Ph.D.).
     
  14. chrisjm18

    chrisjm18 Well-Known Member

    Dear Doctorate Seeker,

    Thank you for your interest in our online Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA) program. Our new degree program is affordable, accessible, and accredited. You are receiving this email because you clicked for additional information on our Facebook ad.

    The Virginia University of Lynchburg is a Historically Black College/University (HBCU) that has been serving the needs of our community since 1886. We are delighted to expand our boundaries by offering the online DHA to a global cohort of men and women seeking new opportunities in healthcare and education. Our doctoral experience is designed to allow you to balance family, education and job.

    We have capped the cost of the DHA program at $15,000. No hidden fees. You may complete the DHA in one year. We will strive to limit our classes to 20-30 students to ensure quality instruction and attention to your personal needs. We will challenge your limits through academic, moral, and professional development.
     
  15. Steve Levicoff

    Steve Levicoff Well-Known Member

    Ladies, gentlemen, and those who have yet to make up your minds: I submit that Virginia University at Lynchburg is a mill. Diploma mill or degree mill? Doesn’t matter. It’s simply a sleazy bunch of amateurs. Which makes it, ultimately, a rip-off. The fact that it is an HBCU is irrelevant, which simply means that when it comes to being a sleazy bunch of amateurs, they are as good at it as any historically white school. Yes, they have truly attained equality with their Caucasoid brethren and sistern, and the notion that they are marketing any new doctoral program is a joke.

    Let’s look at a few simple facts: First, according to the last few pages of their catalogue at https://vul.edu/images/catalog/VUL-Catalog-2019-2020.pdf, they have three full-time faculty and 13 part-time faculty. That makes them a joke when it comes to being a university at all.

    According to their Wikipedia profile at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_University_of_Lynchburg, they have a whopping 32 staff and 205 students, of which 85 are undergraduates. Compare this with more prestigious HBCU’s such as Howard University (9,399 students, of which 6,526 are undergrad and 2,873 are grad) or Lincoln University (2,241 students). Again, V.U.L. is a joke, and their inferior enrollment numbers alone indicate that they could go belly up at some point without warning. Therefore, would I recommend that anyone enroll in their latest doctoral venture, regardless of how fast or cheap it appears to be? As Sofia said in The Color Purple, “Hell, no!”

    The Virginia University of Lynchburg was founded in 1886, yet they have ridiculous enrollment statistics and accreditation status. According to their wiki, they are “formerly a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association. After exiting the USCAA, Virginia University of Lynchburg is now a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association NCCAA. They are currently ineligible to join the NCAA and the NAIA due to insufficient academic accreditation.” Pretty pathetic for a school that has been around since 1886.

    Chris cited a comment on one of their social media pages that indicates their alleged intent to apply for regional accreditation. That comes across as pure bullshit. 1886, people! As they say in the law, res ipsa loquitur (y’all can look it up). Moreover, from their quoted e-mail, when a school claims to be an HBCU and accredited but does not disclose that they are not referring to regional accreditation in the same statement, they’re being downright sleazy.

    So, like I said, it’s a mill. Doesn’t matter what kind of mill, it’s just a mill. And anyone who falls for their bullshit rap deserves what they end up with. I have spoken.

    An incidental comment: If you check out their faculty listings in the catalogue cited above, you might note (1) that a few of their people graduated from Union, but (2) that several of them graduated from V.U.L. itself. That makers them a homegrown institution, which is traditionally a sign of a mill. For what it’s worth.
     
  16. Jan

    Jan Member

    If this school is a mill, this is not what I was informed by TRACs today, their accreditor.
     
  17. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Indeed. Not illegal. But I just LOVE expounding on comical hypocrisy. Just wondering if there might be any of that for me, in this. Is there, by any chance? :)
     
  18. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    It may be presumptuous of me to interpret Dr. Steve - but I think his logic goes this way: TRACS is not a Regional accreditor, ergo it's an accreditation mill, by (his) definition. So, it followeth as the night the day, milled accreditors beget milled schools. 99% of schools that do not have Regional Accreditation (and some that do) are mills and should be cast into the Everlasting Lake of Fire. If that is the approach here, I don't think even a 20-page thread would make a dint in it.
     
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2020
  19. copper

    copper Active Member

    I would prefer a "Gold standard" approach to accreditation:
    RA = Gold
    NA = Silver
    Other USDE recognized accreditation = Bronze. Although USDE recognized accreditation now includes all precious metals.
    State Recognition = Tin
    Unaccredited = some oxidation
    Diploma mill = Rust Bucket!

    So using this scale. VUL falls under Bronze with a Tin frame but certainly not Rusted out!

    Sorry for the analogy. In medicine we use a Smiley Face scale for pain with 1. being a grand smile and 10. frown with tears. So take your pick!
     
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2020
    Dustin likes this.
  20. chrisjm18

    chrisjm18 Well-Known Member

    National accrediting bodies recognized by the US Department of Education:
    Per CHEA, TRACS is a National Faith-Related Accrediting Organizations (i.e., national accreditation)
    https://www.chea.org/chea-recognized-organizations
     

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