At least I think it's new and different. German Masters degrees online without needing a "first degree" https://www.pr.com/press-release/801244
Keeping in mind that the cited article is on a public relations website (yes, that automatically makes it suspect), a look at their actual website indicates that the Germans have succeeded at becoming as sleazy as the Americans (and others) with regard to higher education. According to their site www.alp-lehrinstitut.de, “The ALP GmbH is a company of the GENSEL-GROUP (founded 2002) and offers scientific higher education on behalf of universities and colleges since 2006 . . . The founder, Andrea Gensel (born 1963) sold her companies TALINGO EAP and PSY-Line to the Asklepios Klinik Group and left the management board on 1 January 2019 in order to bring ALP GmbH into growth.” This, in short, is not a traditional German university – it’s merely one more company started by an entrepreneur that will ultimately screw those who are not careful in their choices. So, do I have to specifically recommend that everyone avoid this sham like the plague? Probably, since there are lots of idiots who will be taken in by the romantic thought of a German degree. Meanwhile - and this is only wishful thinking, I'm sure - perhaps someday Kizmet will realize that it's best to totally avoid stories that come from pr.com and similar public relations hype sites.
Merry Christmas Steve! You must have gotten a lot of coal in your stocking because you're a little Grinchy today, even for you. So lets start at the top. It's true that it's a pr piece. It's obvious. Unlike you, I trust the intelligence of our members to recognize this and factor in the spin elements as they read. We do this every day on the net, on tv, the radio, etc. It's not really any kind of big deal. Information is where you find it and if it's inside a public relations article then you just have to wade through a little junk. It's better, in my view, than not posting the info at all. Next, this company, ALP is offering degrees through universities in what seems to be the same way that 2U does. I know that's scary for you but trust me, it will be OK. You are sure that this company will screw people but you really have no evidence of that. It's merely your prejudice showing. The fact is, you know virtually nothing about the company, these process, the universities or the degrees. As usual, you're just spouting off. As for your "recommendation," I'm not sure it really matters since you know virtually nothing about it. To me, the interesting piece is the information (it's new to me anyway) that German universities are now offering admission to Masters degree programs without requiring a Bachelors degree. At least I think that's what a "first degree" is, a Bachelors degree. Finally, I will confirm that it is my intention to continue to post what I consider to be interesting information. There are times when it may come from pr sites. I'm sure you can handle it Steve. And I'm sure everyone else can too.
No, when it comes to the potential of people being ripped off, I’m as “grinchy” as I always am. Well, Kiz, you obviously have a lot of faith in our readers. And you’re quite correct about the notion that I do not. To me, everyone is inherently a dumb-ass who will potentially get screwed in the decisions they make regarding higher education. Scary? Hardly. But you’re right – I don’t trust these companies any further than I can see them. Call me old fashioned (yes, all together now), but I prefer the days when colleges and universities offered degree programs directly rather than going through third-party vendors. And that includes the major universities. American or otherwise, that are sourcing out their name to these companies. Absolutely correct. And I can’t be bothered spending the time to find out about them. Remember, I have also said that I have a blanket rule about writing off people who call themselves entrepreneurs, especially when they purport to start so-called universities that are a joke. So I absolutely admit to prejudice – in favor of quality in higher education. Anything less is potentially, if not actually, a rip-off. I can, and I had no expectation that you would change your habits. Of course I can handle it. But I’m not sure that everyone else can. Consumers are generally ill informed, and there is no exception in those who consume higher education. As long as we have people who come to DI and combine the words fast, cheap and easy, people will get ripped off. And for those who use that set of criteria, they deserve it. And, as always, I laugh at them. But I’m not about to contribute to their fate by posting questionable news stories from PR puff pieces. No, but good guess in light of Kiz’s comment. If I were to play any character in Seussical, I would lean toward Horton. (Y’all can look it up. I’m sure there are many productions of Seussical the Musical on YouTube.)
Well it seems that you've taken another step along Unreasonable Blvd.. It used to be "Shoot first and ask questions later" but now you've deteriorated into a mode where you shoot first and then don't bother asking any questions at all. You've made up your mind to condemn these programs simply because it's a new concept and you're locked in the past. Well that's OK. You're welcome to your opinion. Let's just be clear about the fact that you're offering an opinion, an uninformed opinion at that. Let's be clear that these programs are being offered by legitimate universities accredited by the German government and you're calling them a scam because they are administered by a third party. One person's opinion. There are a lot of schools doing this all over the world, including the US. So they're all scams. They're all ripping people off. Just because you say so. No evidence required. OK, whatever. But please take off the superhero cape. You're not saving anyone from anything.
There is only one problem: It is not true! Yes, these programs are being offered by legitimate and accredited universities, but these schools are not German and, therefore, not accredited by the German government. It is well hidden on their website, but ALP's degrees are granted by London Metropolitan University and "FH Wien der WKW" (That's Vienna University of Applied Sciences, but FH Wien has no official English name. The part "der WKW" means it is owned by "Wirtschaftskammer Wien", Vienna's chamber of commerce.)
The notion of a third party developing and delivering tertiary education on behalf of accredited, degree-granting institutions is not a new one. There was this company that had a contract with a university to deliver instruction in a new format. This worked, but the school's accreditor forced them to stop it. So the company decided to form its own university, becoming the largest university (in terms of enrollments) in the country. It continues to this day. I'm fine with universities partnering with corporate sources to bring innovation--in terms of content and/or delivery--to their offerings, provided the proper quality controls are in place. This doesn't mean merely renting out the university's name--not that such a thing is done here in the US. A partnership that provides new, innovative, and relevant content in a way that modern, working professionals can learn it--while also maintaining sufficient academic rigor--makes sense.
