Dr. Bear, anyone, is this a legal degree?

[justsurfing]

This post and question is directed to Dr. Bear, but I encourage all to chime in. Is a degree from Lacrosse University [Louisiana] illegal (not asking if it is useful, transferable, etc)? I understand they are licensed by the Louisiana Board of Regents and seeking accreditation from the DETC. The DETC requires an institution be in existence for two years before they qualify for accreditation (Lacrosse was licensed in September 2000). I have contacted Lacrosse and they seem to be legitimate. They asked for unofficial transcripts (official transcripts needed for admission and graduation), provided a preliminary list of courses needed to finish B.A., and a Textbook list that are the same medium used at other colleges. In other words, the textbooks that Lacrosse University is using are the same at some regionally accredited institutions. LU is also requiring a final “thesis” or “final project” in addition to the transfer of my regionally accredited A.A. degree, portfolio/life experience credits, and 11 (33) credits completed at their institution . . . seems legitimate? No need to lecture (no pun intended) me about licensing and transferring said degree to a RA Graduate program; I am more interested in obtaining knowledge and receiving acclimation for found knowledge. In the future, when I can afford the tuition, I plan on returning to a Charter Oaks or the like and get the RA degree. To sum this up, just interested in legality and legitimacy of the degree from Lacrosse University. Thank you for your feedback.

[Tom Head]

I'm no John Bear, but it looks to me like you're asking three questions here:

1. Is Lacrosse University operating legally? Probably.

2. Is it legal for you to use a Lacrosse degree? If you're not in Oregon, probably.

3. Is Lacrosse University legitimate? I have no idea.


Cheers,

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[DaveHayden]

So why in the world would you ask if it is legal but not if it is legitimate or useful? That is kind of like asking is it legal for a Automaker to sell me a car without an engine or transmission? I don't ever expect to drive it or use it but is it legal? What is your point and WHY are you asking it?

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[Rich Douglas]

You say you will return later to obtain an RA degree. That alone says you recognize the uselessness of a Lacrosse degree.

The literature is filled with examples of people who've gotten into legal, financial, and professional trouble using degrees they didn't earn, degrees from schools that were operating legally. That Lacrosse operates legally in Louisiana doesn't shield you from potential harm. Just ask the Columbia State "graduates" who got into trouble--Columbia State was operating legally in Louisiana. (It was the Federal government that shut them down.)

The money issue isn't very compelling. A Lacrosse bachelor's degree will cost you more than $2,000. (That's just tuition and fees; the books will cost you a lot more.) If you spent the same money trying to earn a real degree, you'd be very close to its completion, if not all the way there.

Legal? Yes, according to the notoriously neglectful Louisiana. But possibly not legal for you to use such a degree.

Legitimate? If you have to ask....of course not.

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LaCrosse advertisements can be seen in USA Today, neatly positioned between other fine institutions of higher learning.

[John Bear]

I am confused by the Louisiana system. On one hand, they announced an "up or out" rule, in which a school must achieve recognized accreditation or lose its provisional license. But on the other hand, there seem to be more than a few Louisiana wonders that have not applied for accreditation, yet continue to operate.

LaCrosse was established in 1999, so would be eligible to apply to DETC, but I am pretty sure they haven't.

Originally, same management/ownership as the equally non-wonderful Columbus University.

But later, and intriguingly, apparently a major involvement by James (or Thomas) Kirk (or McPherson), the no-longer-imprisoned founder of LaSalle University.

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[sulla]

Originally, same management/ownership as the equally non-wonderful Columbus

What do you exactly mean by "equally non-wonderful"?
Can you be more specific? Columbus University is ranked as second tier at the doctoral level by USNews. Lacrosse is not even ranked! Are you implying that Columbus is/was behind something fraudulent?

thanks

[Dennis Madarang]

Originally posted by sulla


Columbus University is ranked as second tier at the doctoral level by USNews.

No. It isn't.

[Bill Huffman]

Your question as to whether or not it is legal to claim a degree from LaCrosse shows a possible lack of understanding as to what the important questions should be. But let's for fun just answer your question.

It is legal and illegal depending on the local laws. For example, the places where it is legal to use a LaCrosse degree it is probably also legal to use a degree from Burlap University. (Burlap University started at this very moment.) As long as I was truthful about my degree from Burlap University and the claimed degree wasn't in the medical care field then I would not be breaking any laws in many localities.

BTW, I believe that Burlap University plans on applying for accreditation soon.

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[sulla]

Columbus University is ranked as second tier at the

Nevermind. I confused it with another prestigious university. Sorry.

[Howard]

Originally posted by sulla


Nevermind. I confused it with another prestigious university. Sorry.

Now we know why some of these non-wonderful schools choose particular names!!!!!!

[justsurfing]

I appreciate your response, Dr. Bear (and everyone else who is sharing their opinion). However, I may not have made my inquiry clear . . . I have explained that I am not interested, at this time, in gaining a license or transfer into a Graduate program. Moreover, one’s subjective opinion enters into the persona of an awarded acclimation of knowledge (i.e. A DEGREE) and from whom the award originates. In other words, some may not want to brag about a degree from Excelsior when in the company of Yale, Stanford, or even “state university” graduates. It is not my intention to brag or harp on where I receive my degree, but I sure don’t want to claim an illegal/legitimate degree! Please respond. Thank you again.

[Myoptimism]

I appreciate your response, Dr. Bear (and everyone else who is sharing their opinion). However, I may not have made my inquiry clear . . . I have explained that I am not interested, at this time, in gaining a license or transfer into a Graduate program. Moreover, one’s subjective opinion enters into the persona of an awarded acclimation of knowledge (i.e. A DEGREE) and from whom the award originates. In other words, some may not want to brag about a degree from Excelsior when in the company of Yale, Stanford, or even “state university” graduates. It is not my intention to brag or harp on where I receive my degree, but I sure don’t want to claim an illegal/legitimate degree! Please respond. Thank you again.

I think the concept of an illegal and legitimate degree is certainly thought provoking.

Although I am just a normal Joe, any degree you claim will be viewed subjectively to some point. Then again, you can claim it ethically if you did earn it. My take on it anyway.

Tony


btw Just being lighthearted It is good to have downtime at times.

[BillDayson]

Originally posted by justsurfing
Is a degree from Lacrosse University [Louisiana] illegal (not asking if it is useful, transferable, etc)?

Shouldn't you be directing this question to the Louisiana educational authorities?

I understand they are licensed by the Louisiana Board of Regents and seeking accreditation from the DETC.

If you already know the answer to your question, then why did you ask it?

The DETC requires an institution be in existence for two years before they qualify for accreditation (Lacrosse was licensed in September 2000). I have contacted Lacrosse and they seem to be legitimate. They asked for unofficial transcripts (official transcripts needed for admission and graduation), provided a preliminary list of courses needed to finish B.A., and a Textbook list that are the same medium used at other colleges. In other words, the textbooks that Lacrosse University is using are the same at some regionally accredited institutions. LU is also requiring a final “thesis” or “final project” in addition to the transfer of my regionally accredited A.A. degree, portfolio/life experience credits, and 11 (33) credits completed at their institution . . . seems legitimate?

Why do I get the impression that question was rhetorical?

No need to lecture (no pun intended) me about licensing and transferring said degree to a RA Graduate program

So what is your purpose in posting? To try to create a situation where you can induce John Bear to publicly say that some non-accredited school is legitimate? But only after explicitly ruling out any discussion of whether or not the degree is useful?

I am more interested in obtaining knowledge and receiving acclimation for found knowledge. In the future, when I can afford the tuition, I plan on returning to a Charter Oaks or the like and get the RA degree. To sum this up, just interested in legality and legitimacy of the degree from Lacrosse University. Thank you for your feedback.

I don't know what the word 'acclimation' means.

But if you are having trouble affording tuition, and if you don't care if you earn a degree that is useful or recognized by others, then why waste time with a degree at all?

Just study for its own sake. You can do a full program of reading in a library for free. If you need faculty guidance through the difficult parts, take individual classes. You can choose the classes that appeal most to you, from a whole variety of providers. And as long as they are RA, you can tranfer the units into Charter Oak at a later time when you decide to enroll.

You know better than I do what your own personal needs are. If you are convinced that Lacrosse offers you something that you can get nowhere else, then go ahead and enroll in it. But that probably wouldn't be my choice, if it were me making the decision.

[Tom Head]

I second Bill Dayson. No offense, but it sounds like you're trying to bait John into saying something you can use later to justify the decision you're about to make.


Cheers,

[Bill Huffman]

Originally posted by justsurfing
I sure don’t want to claim an illegal/legitimate degree!

Some places it is illegal. Other places it may not be illegal. What is more important is whether or not the degree would be worth anything. In my opinion a claim to a degree from Lacrosse University would have no value.

If you didn't like Burlap University, how about a degree from Jai Lai University instead? Jai Lai University also expects to apply for accreditation soon. Not only that, Jai Lai University and Burlap University plan on asking Lacrosse University to join them in forming a new college athletic program NWCAA (Non-Wonderful College Atheletic Association). In the NWCAA you can have Jai Lai teams competing against Lacrosse teams or even Burlap bag race teams. You can have any team play any other team no matter what the sport because the teams don't really exist, it's just all for show!

P.S. I think I smell a troll.

[Jack Tracey]

Originally posted by BillDayson
...snip...
I don't know what the word 'acclimation' means.
...snip...

Hi Bill - I'm betting he meant "acclamation."
But you knew that.
Jack

[justsurfing]

Wow! Interesting responses from Bill Dayson and concurrence by Tom Mead!

First, Mr. Dayson, excuse my misuse of words in the previous post. I meant to use the word ACCLAMATION (definition- an action of confidence, or an award, etc…), not “ACCLIMATION” (which means to become accustomed to a climate). That was a simple keystroke error of the keyboard.

Second, Mr. Dayson, I did not ask if Lacrosse is licensed by Louisiana Board of Regents and seeking DETC approval. I was making a statement and thus qualified by a period (.) at the end of the sentence and not a question mark (?).

Finally, to both of you: I think Dr. Bear is a big boy and can answer the simple question I have asked. He has spoke on many occasions publicly and I respect his opinion or I would not have posted.

Originally posted by Howard
Now we know why some of these non-wonderful schools choose particular names!!!!!!

Amen!

North

[justsurfing]

Bill Huffman,

Don’t be ridiculous. A mythical “Burlap” or “Jai Lai” University? Lacrosse is a licensed academic institution that requires study from college level textbooks and has a strict course tract to degree completion (at least this is my experience with them).