Ames Christian University

[JWeaver]

Is this a reputable University? Is the cost inexpensive

[johann]

Inexpensive - yes - I think the Bachelor's degree is around $500. The costs are made pretty plain on their website.

They also state plainly they are unaccredited. This does not mean they are or are not "reputable." Institutions granting religious degrees can do so legally without accreditation.

Trouble is, if you want to go further at another school, afterwards. Unaccredited study doesn't generally transfer very well...if at all!!

If an unaccredited religious degree will suffice, I suggest you look at Nations University. They are distance-ed, cost is $100 year for US residents and academically, they are VERY strict! Unlike almost all other unaccredited schools, a bachelor's from them is sufficient education to get you into a master's program at an accredited University in Tennessee.

Good luck ---
Johann

[karenlyn]

Wow, Johann, that's really useful! It's good to know which unaccredited schools will transfer credits. Like you said, most of them don't.

[LyricB]

I had no idea that religious private universities were often unaccredited. What's the reasoning behind this?

[Slashmire]

Hmm is there actually a relation between the two (religious and unaccredited) or is just a coincidence?

[tater03]

I never knew that religious universities were all unaccredited. Wonder why? Does anyone happen to know why? Learn something new everyday. Thanks

[Ceruleah]

They often are unaccredited because the government will have more say in who they hire and how their rules are observed if they accept accreditation.

Is there a website for this Nations University???

[johann]

Yes, there is a website:

http://www.nationsu.org

The Accredited school that will admit qualified Nations Grads into a Master's program is Lipscomb University in Nashville - Per Nations' site.

Many (by no means all) religious schools are not accredited. One reason is religious exemption - schools that grant degrees solely in religious subjects are generally not required to be accredited for their degrees to be legal.

Nations give what seem to be good, straightforward reasons as to why they are unaccredited - check their site by clicking on "regarding accreditation" on the home page.

Many religious schools are accredited by TRACS - which is CHEA-recognized. There are also some regionally accredited by the "Big 6" as well as some by DETC (e.g. Catholic Distance University).

What makes me favour Nations is:

(1) I've never heard/read a bad word about them. Their standards are high. Some say "they're tough as nails."

(2) With a Nations Degree, you have a shot at at least one accredited grad school. That can hardly be said of most other unaccredited schools.

I wish you all well! :-)

Johann

[LilOne1989]

They often are unaccredited because the government will have more say in who they hire and how their rules are observed if they accept accreditation.

Is there a website for this Nations University???

I was thinking the same thing about seperation of church and state. If they allow the government or state to make them an accredited school then the government/state can have a say in what type of classes are and are not allowed because it would open them up to demands from outside influences.

[Ceruleah]

Exactly. My old Bible College just underwent a complete overhaul along with change-of-name so they can become accredited and rake in the gov't dollars. So, essentially, my school no longer exists.

I'm really going to look into this Nations University. I'm seriously curious!

[LyricB]

Thanks for the clarification on all that. I think that makes sense how they don't get accredited because they don't want people telling them what to do.

[Setanta]

Some states allow religious universities to operate without many restrictions so long as they offer purely religious degrees. This allows shoe string operations a fighting chance which they would never have if they offered, say, law, business, or history degrees. If you look at DETC accredited instututions you will note that they didn't get accredited until at least five years after foundation. If they maintain a high stanndard and keep all records, then it is likely they will be treated with some respect. I ran a private distance American university in the 1970's and it never made the bogus degree lists although several newspaper hacks denounced it without even bothering to contact me. A friend checked the American authorities in Indonesia and was told "It isn't recognsied but it is fairly OK" which was quite kind.

I have taught at 12 "real" universities since then. I mark Bachelor and Masters assigments (my unaccredited university only accepted final exams since anyone can cheat in assignments) and I know that if an unaccredited university starts operations there are data storage facilities so that anything can be easily checked. In my case (1970's) I could only say "Here are the exam papers, here are the qualifications of the exaniners" but it earned my university some respect. A religious universityy with resources and computer records will obviously do far better. If you start a university in a place like St Kitts or Belize, the exams and degrees can later be judged by special agencies in the USA for a reasonable fee.

[Setanta]

I had a look at Ames University and was very disappointed to see they claimed accreditation from an unaccredited accreditation board on the grounds that recognised boards are secular. Ames should state its accreditation board is not recognised.