Is there a way to get degree based on work exp.?

[kannan38]

I already have a MS degree thru regular university and have done Ph.D. work. Now I have written the dissertation paper, which I would like to turn it and get a Ph.D. degree. Mind you, I am not using this degree to advance my career but just as a personal satisfaction. Are there any NON accredited universities who give up legitimate degrees?

[LyricB]

Wow, what a great question. I have heard of some universities allowing some credit for work experience, but never as a substitute for an entire program.

[johann]

Hi -

An unaccredited institution awarding legitimate degrees is ALMOST and oxymoron, imho.

If you tell a school "Here's my money and my dissertation, now I'd like my Doctorate, please," and they just GIVE it to you -- I think it's a degree mill!!

If you have an accredited masters, have done doctoral coursework and have a dissertation, surely there's an accredited school out there that can help you!

If you INSIST on unaccredited, I'm told Century University is, in some opinions, one of the few sincere, non-mill unaccrediteds out there. I have no personal knowledge. You COULD tell them what you have to offer and see what combination of prior credit, work and dissertation they suggest.

As unaccredited, they're on the Oregon and other state lists, so you could go to jail if you try to use their degrees for employment. If you still want 'em, they're at

http://www.centuryuniversity.edu

Johann

[johann]

Hi again -

Before anyone tells me "But Century's site shows them to be accredited", they should know it's by a non-CHEA-recognized accreditor, A.C.I.

A.C.I. (Accrediting Commission International) of Beebe, Arkansas has had significant "bad press" (from well-known DL experts) in other forums, including Degreeinfo . Suffice it to say the A.C.I. seal of approval is obviously not enough to keep Century off the Oregon and other unaccredited listings.


Johann

[Kyle]

Pardon my french Johann,

But they ask for 5,000 USD for unaccredited degree? this is a joke right?

Any idiot that will google out this university and see
Engineering: Not Applicable
Add $150 for all Associate Degree Programs
Add $300 for all Single Degree Programs
Add $600 for all Sequential Degree Programs
Add $900 for all Triple Degree Programs
Computer Science: Not Applicable
Add $200 for all Associate Degree Programs
Add $400 for all Single Degree Programs
Add $800 for all Sequential Degree Programs
Add $1200 for all Triple Degree Programs


Will know its a fake or scam how can somone pay so much money for this?

[LyricB]

I don't know, guys, Anyone who purchases a degree is missing out on a great accomplishment in my opinion.

[kelkat]

I know that in teaching you can get your certification for a certain number of years on the job. But as far as getting a degree from a university, you have to be crazy. They are going to get their money out of you one way or another.

[johann]

I guess they're not joking -- and before anyone thinks I'm RECOMMENDING this school -- remember what I SAID: the degrees are on all the State Lists and you could go to jail for using them for employment purposes.

I don't care how much they charge 'cause I PERSONALLY WILL NEVER PAY THEM A CENT. It's not my money, so I don't care. The question was, could someone get a "legitimate" unaccredited degree and I said it was almost an oxymoron.

I further said I'd heard Century, although unaccredited, had a better rep. for sincerity than the known mills. That means they likely would not SELL a degree - they'd require some work - plus they state Doctoral programs require a Master's Degree, which our forum member has.

That's why I told our forum member about Century - and their less-than-wonderful accreditation with A.C.I. Although I think what he intends doing devalues the efforts of those who strive for accredited degrees, he has a right to information -and that's what I gave him, to the best of my ability.

So please DO NOT ASSUME I like Century or any such school. I suggested to our friend that with his study background, a proper school could likely help him. If he's bound and determined to go the unaccredited route, so be it.

Anyway, this $5200 is probably one-fifth to one-tenth of what our forum member would have to shell out for an accredited doctorate. It's his money - I don't care. Maybe the degree has one-tenth the value of a proper one. Maybe not, when you consider the potential jail-time for misuse.

I didn't set the prices - so I'm not getting into any arguments about what the school is worth. By the way, you can spend WAY more than this on an unaccredited school, if you've a mind to.

Have a look at Flavell International and their "Great Books" (Great Bucks?)
Program - $13,766 A YEAR! $58,000+ for a 100% UNACCREDITED Bachelor's.

http://www.flavellonline.com

There- that's my last word on the Century situation.

I wish you well. :-)

Johann

[kelkat]

I didn't pay $50,000 and I went to a brick and mortar school. I know prices have gone up, but that's crazy. And from unaccredited schools, I just don't get it.

I don't know the process for colleges and universities (although I did read something a while back) but I know some highschools choose not to go that route for whatever reasons (usually they don't want someone else telling them what has to be taught and how).

I would think that somewhere, out there, there is atleast one legitimate unaccredited college. I could be wrong, though.

[johann]

Hi, Kelkat -

Yes - I think it's a crazy price, too. (Especially when you can get a list of the great books for free and read them at your leisure!) But I guess there must be some people with lots of money who need the unaccredited degree to show for it!

As far as "legitimate" unaccrediteds - if you know of any, (other than religious-degrees-only schools), maybe you could tell Kannan38 about them.

SCUPS (Southern California University for Professional Studies) is a state-approved school (not accredited) that is kind of unique, though.

Their degrees are accepted for entrance to North Central University (Regionally Accredited). I believe this is due to same/similar ownership - SCUPS in some ways is a "feeder" school for North Central. Also, I believe SCUPS Psy. D. is good enough for California licensure. I believe SCUPS is on the Oregon List for most degrees except the Psy. D.

After Century, I'm out of ideas for what Kannan38 wants to do! I still think he should tell an accredited school what he has to offer. But I'll bet he won't!

I wish you well. I wish Kannan38 well too, though I disagree with his intended course of action. :-)

Johann

[kelkat]

This whole post started with the question about work experience. Just how did we get off to the diploma mills? :)

Yes, you can get some credit for work experience. No, you can't get a legitimate degree.

[jacobmetro]

kelkat,

It is inaccurate to state that you can not get a legit degree for work experience. It is also inaccurate for us to couch the subject in terms of credit for work. Thus you are both right and not right.

The competancy model of learning holds that a person knows something regardless of how the learning occurs. Thus sitting in a classroom or wandering through the Himalayas should have the same value in terms of education in a given field. However, how do we prove that learning has occurred and that a student is competant to act in accordance with the knowledge that he has learned? That is the fundamental question of all education.

Essentially, we want to know whether a person can act in the sphere of influence which his knowledge (however it was gained) authorizes him to do.

The greatest drawback of the current educational model (the learner-teacher model) is that regardless of the richness of the instructor's experiences, it is not possible to crack open the student's head with a hammer and pour the experiences in. That's why newly minted MBA's and recent grad's are actually so abused in the marketplace. The industry (pick your favorite industry to bash...here) "knows" that knowledge without experience is not only worthless but also dangerous. Therefore responsibility is withheld for several years until industry figures out how to trust these newcomers.

Well there is a model having a resurgance of late - the competancy model. It is used by monks in Tibet to guage the preparation of trainees to engage in a given set of tasks. It has been used to limited effect in schools for several centuries now - hence our yearly or quarterly final exams.

Rather than fill an empty head with knowledge divorced from experience, why not figure out where a student's skills and abilities lie? Why not determine what a student is competant at and then have him prove competancy? Why not give credit for CLEP exams or some integrating work proving the ability to see the interrelations between different aspects of a chosen career path? Doing this will enable almost anyone to become a spe******t in their field by building on strengths rather than shoving a broad-spectrum knowledge dump into every student as if they were all the same.

We should tailor the education to the student not mold our children to fit the education they receive. Doing the converse makes it our responsibility to see the student succeed and if they don't succeed at first it was because of bad education. By focusing on a student's strengths we make it the student's responsibility to live up to his/her strengths and self-chosen gifts.

Many distance learning educational communities exist today with this goal in mind. Western Governors University is one of the newest, accredited practitioners of the competancy model.

[Kyle]

Wow thats one way to put it :);)

[grammao6]

I believe that someone that has been teaching and tutoring for almost 23 years deserves to have a teaching certificate. Why is there a difference between the student teacher being qualified to teach and someone who has been teaching for almost half of their life?
I fully believe that the states that do not recognize the national accredited bachelor's degrees. The national accredidation committee has had their school's accredited since the 1950's; what's up? Why can we only have regionally accredited bachelor's degrees? How do you say, "discrimination"?

[Kyle]

whom ever build the Flavell website gives you a feeling for going on a Vaction not study :)

[Kyle]

I believe that someone that has been teaching and tutoring for almost 23 years deserves to have a teaching certificate. Why is there a difference between the student teacher being qualified to teach and someone who has been teaching for almost half of their life?
I fully believe that the states that do not recognize the national accredited bachelor's degrees. The national accredidation committee has had their school's accredited since the 1950's; what's up? Why can we only have regionally accredited bachelor's degrees? How do you say, "discrimination"?

How do you say "partiality" + prejudice

I think I have an answer. it is not about a certain standard it is about money, and education old age, they are still stuck in the 19 hundreds

[kelkat]

My point wasn't that a person doesn't deserve a degree based on work experience. My point was that the Universities are not going to "give" one based on work experience because they are there to make money.

I do know that you can get certification for teaching (in certain instances) for your experience. But most certifications don't cross state lines and each one has different requirements. There has been a push for national certification, but I don't know where that is right now.

Experience is EXTREMELY important. That's why I tell everyone in school to take part time and summer jobs in the field they are pursuing. It will give them a leg up on the field.

[johann]

Hi -

Couldn't agree more with most of the comments. Yes, experience is important and can (and should) count towards a degree.

No, it isn't (imho) a legitimate basis for awarding an entire degree.

Yes, Western Governors is strong on competency-based learning.

No, WGU is not awarding entire degrees for experience. You still have to do coursework - lots of it, and rigorous coursework at that. This is a good, regionally accredited school.

How we got on the subject of mills is Kannan38's asking for a "legitimate" unaccredited (oxymoron?) university that would award him a Ph. D. based entirely on prior experience, and coursework and dissertation from somewhere else. I made a suggestion (Century) because as far as I know they don't "sell" degrees. They do require work, although I don't know about the academic standards of work required.

Maybe I should have shut up ,because that led me into the mill discussion and the comments about $5200. All this probably didn't help Kannan38 find what he's looking for, either.

Now, it's definitely time for me to shut up.

Regards

Johann

[johann]

One more thing before I shut up.

Here in Canada (Ontario Anyway) you may get a teaching certificate via experience, but that certificate is not a degree.
With knowledge and experience, say in a tech. field, you can become a certified teacher without a degree, but you must successfully complete one year of instruction and practice teaching via Teachers' College (day school is your only option for that).

If you have no degree, you receive a teaching certificate when you finish Teachers' College. If you already have a degree, you get another degree (B. Ed.) instead of the Certificate. With no degree, you may "exchange" the certificate for your B.Ed. years later when you have completed your B.S. or B.A.

As to accreditation, our teachers don't have problems as there is only one level - no Regional/National dichotomy, or state-to-state problems as in the US. The degree is valid (in all provinces) or not at all - it's that simple.

Johann

[johann]

Teaching certification via distance study with WGU is discussed by Jacobmetro in the "Comments about your School" section of this forum.

As I said before, they're certainly not awarding anything near a complete degree for experience! Yes, you can earn a degree and teaching licensure - and your experience will help you - but doubtless, there is rigorous coursework as well as much experience being provided by the local "hands on" teaching and mentoring components.

It looks like a great way to complete a degree-plus-licensure program, largely by distance.

Jacobmetro, thanks for giving this info.

Regards :-)

Johann

[Unregistered]

I think there are some schools/universities in the UK that will give you credit for your dissertation, especially if it has been published. Look for the researched based DPhil

[snoopy]

I already have a MS degree thru regular university and have done Ph.D. work. Now I have written the dissertation paper, which I would like to turn it and get a Ph.D. degree. Mind you, I am not using this degree to advance my career but just as a personal satisfaction. Are there any NON accredited universities who give up legitimate degrees?
I am confused with your decision about using your hard earned PhD dissertation paper for a degree from a non-accredited university. What purpose would it serve?

[snoopy]

Coming to think of it, there are some universities that let you get a Ph.D degree without going through the 3 or 4 year course. Mind you, these degrees are not fake, but on the other hand, the applicant should have a strong background in the relevant research field, and only if he has a minimum of five years of research, he will be accepted to apply for the degree. The applicant then has upto 10 years to earn his degree. This type is also called as "paper degree" as against the regular "course degree". It is genuine, and has been mainly created to benefit the medical doctors who dont find time to conduct research once they step into clinical practise.

[kelkat]

I know in the medical field this might be fine, but I wonder if it would hold up in other fields if you were searching for a job.

I'll stick to the regular route myself. I actually enjoy the process as much as the outcome.

[snoopy]

Kelkat, 100% right. I have two doctorate degrees and both are hard earned. There was a lot of pleasure (plus pressure) doing the courses. I have been studying all my life; now for a break, I am earning full time. Its lot more fun to learn than earn your degree.