Conference 7.286::digital

    why would anyone want to get a "degree" from these fly by night
    diploma mills?  all you would do is buy a piece of paper that looks
    like a degree.  Academically, it would be worthless.  Most employers
    would not equate this with a degree from an accredited university.
    
    

    <why would anyone want to get a "degree" from these fly by night diploma 
    <mills?  all you would do is buy a piece of paper that looks
    <like a degree.  Academically, it would be worthless.  Most
    <employers would not equate this with a degree from an 
    <accredited university.
    
    
    This was the part of the discussion that I was hoping to avoid....
    BUT, I am aware of people [by name] that recieved these degrees
    and we moved up in academic standing at the "accredited university"
    where they were teaching while enrolled at one of these schools.
    
    Another topic that I would like to avoid is "do you progess any faster
    at DEC if you get a degree while you are in your job." My manager and I
    agree, this will not help my current job. When I leave, well it might
    be different.
    
    Howard 
    
         

    Frequently, these degrees do provide the holder with what they want.
    Doors opened for "degreed employees" only.  I personally know of
    several, including PhDs that profited.  Unfortunately, many people
    see only the paper, not the ability, experience, etc. which does the
    real job.  Usually, those organizations that require degrees, see no
    difference in this degree and any other institution.  By the way,
    Calif. Coast is accredited by the State Supt. of Public Instruction.
    Bottom line is what is the purpose of the degree.

    I really don't believe employers equate a degree from one of these
    schools with a degree from an accredited university.  Most employers
    are not that dumb.  As for accreditation, the agency mentioned in .3
    does not really apply.  The only recognized accrediting agencies for
    universities are the regional Association of Schools and Colleges
    (i.e New England Association of Schools and Colleges).
    
    The "schools" mentioned in this note are places where you send your
    money through the mail and you get back a piece of paper.  
    There is no education provided.  If I were looking for a person with a
    college degree, I would not hire a person with a "degree" from one of
    these schools.  
    
    

    And where pray tell does the list of diploma mills reside.  VTX?
    Notes?  
    
    Being one of those not so dumb employers, I haven't a clue as to
    where we do the check to see if the degree is from a paper hanger,
    or the employee actually got the degree, or even attended the
    school ....
    
    Personnel is supposed to check references, but the degree of detail
    gets costly.
    
    I think anyone who required a degree with neither experience or
    the interview process providing for an exception deserves to get
    just what they ask for ....
    

    re: .5
    
    Our library on site (ASO: Augusta,Maine USA) has the following
    references of accredited colleges and universities:
    
    	Barron's Profiles of American Colleges ISBN 0-8129-3979-3
        Peterson's 4 Year Colleges ISBN 0-87866-718-0
    	Lovejoy's College Guide ISBN 0-671-64759-8
    
    Local libraries and bookstores also carry these as well as the
    guidance office of your local high school.
    
    If it isn't listed, chances are that it isn't accredited.  
    This was a consideration for me when I began my MBA program.  I
    wanted a degree from a school with an accredited program.
    
    Steve D

    The Digital Library at Merrimack has a resource titled:
    
    	The Independent Study Catalog: the NUCEA Guide to Independent
          Study Through Correspondence Instruction.  Peterson's, 1988.
    
    	The guide lists college, graduate, and noncredit courses offered
        by over 70 colleges and universities.  Choose one and study at
        home in your spare time.
    
        Members of the National University Continuing Education Association
        (NUCEA) are primarily degree-granting institutions of higher
        education accredited by one of the six regional accrediting
        associations that hold membership in the Council on Postsecondary
        Accreditation or, with the approval of the Board of Directors, by
        any other accrediting agency that holds membership in COPA.
    
        Approximately 300 colleges and universities in the United States
        currently have met the requirements for membership in NUCEA.  Of
        these, over 70 have established correspondence courses which are
        included in the accreditation of the institution offering the
        courses.  
    
        Listed in this resource are such colleges as Auburn University,
        California State U. at Sacramento, Central Michigan University,
        Brigham Young U., Colorado State U., Indiana U., Louisiana
        State, Old Dominion, Penn State, Roosevelt, etc.  ( I just
        randomly picked some familiar ones)
    
        A thumbing through this source will be a nice surprise as to
        which well-known universities and colleges grant degrees
        via correspondence study.  All subject areas are covered.
    
        
    

    The response from Personnel:
    
       DEC reimburses for all accredited schools,as long as the
    tudent receives credit for the course taken. 
    
    Howard

    Re: -.1  And satisfies minumum passing requirements of the 
             institution.

    I have a friend who is enrolled in a Ph.D. program through the Fielding
    Institute -- another program without walls.  He is working extremely
    hard.  He must do alot of reading, write several papers, have meetings
    with his mentor for each course he takes.  From everything I can
    gather, he is learning quite a bit and both he and Digital will gain
    immensely from his studies and degree.  I also am convinced that his
    degree will open doors for him which might not have been open before --
    maybe not within DEC, but in the outside world for sure.  BTW, Digital
    is paying for this. 
    
    LI

    If ``BTW, Digital is paying for this. '' then it must be
    an accredited university by definition?