Columbus University? How about Lacrosse University???

[Luckycharm]

Hello Gentlemen!
I'm interested in obtaining a degree based soley on life/work experience in the shortest amount of time possible. The accreditation status of the school is a non-issue. I need the degree merely as a conduit to enrolling in a correspondence graduate degree program. The school must, however, be licensed by the state dept. of education. Does anyone know about the legitimacy of Columbus University and Lacross University? That is to say, do they "deliver the goods" or "take the money and run"? They are "accredited" by WAUC, essencially an unmeaningful entity. Significantly, at least in my case, they are both apparently licensed by the State of Louisiana Dept. of Education. Again, I'm not interested in their academic integrity. After all, if it works, why not? That way I can focus my efforts solely on my graduate studies.
Any comments would be much appreciated!
Thanx, Tom

[Dennis Madarang]

Originally posted by Luckycharm
Again, I'm not interested in their academic integrity. After all, if it works, why not? That way I can focus my efforts solely on my graduate studies.
Any comments would be much appreciated!
Thanx, Tom

Out of curiosity, what graduate program will admit you with a "degree" from either of those sources?

- DM

[Dennis Madarang]

Quick.. a show of hands: How many people think that the sudden surge of interest in unaccredited, less-than-wonderful institutions is "for real?"

I'm going to start referring to these threads as Denial-of-Reality Attacks. Far more malignant than the traditional Denial-of-Service variety.

[RJT]

Not sure about either, but the key is are they State Licsenced. If the LA DoE feels assured of the schools, and grants such, who is to say that they are in error? The fact is that I beleive that the LA DoE is likely staffed by Eduacted professionals. As such I trust their judgement.

Also, the US DoE states that "States" have the right to make such considerations. Outside of the State process, a school can either be RA or NA. However, all three are legal in 49 states (except OR, which denies State Liscened schools). It's your call, you have the facts. Good Luck!

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[Rich Douglas]

Originally posted by RJT
Not sure about either, but the key is are they State Licsenced. If the LA DoE feels assured of the schools, and grants such, who is to say that they are in error? The fact is that I beleive that the LA DoE is likely staffed by Eduacted professionals. As such I trust their judgement.

Who? Everyone. It takes just a bit of research and reading to fully understand how lacking many states are in controlling higher education. Lousiana somehow remains near the bottom of that list.

Also, the US DoE states that "States" have the right to make such considerations. Outside of the State process, a school can either be RA or NA. However, all three are legal in 49 states (except OR, which denies State Liscened schools). It's your call, you have the facts. Good Luck!

No, state licensure does not ensure legality. Many diploma mills have been state licensed (or otherwise allowed to operate), and then shut down by law enforcement authorities. Also, we've seen many examples over the years of people getting into legal trouble for using degrees from schools operating legally under state law. When the bar is set that low, it is set too low. Columbia State, LaSalle, Southland, California Pacifica, and many others were shut down by federal authorities while operating legally in their "home" states. Mis-use such a degree (by, say, using it at all) and you could also find yourself in legal, ethical, professional, and other trouble.

This is such bad advice.

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[Broderick]

Originally posted by Luckycharm
Hello Gentlemen!
I'm interested in obtaining a degree based soley on life/work experience in the shortest amount of time possible. The accreditation status of the school is a non-issue. I need the degree merely as a conduit to enrolling in a correspondence graduate degree program. The school must, however, be licensed by the state dept. of education. Does anyone know about the legitimacy of Columbus University and Lacross University? That is to say, do they "deliver the goods" or "take the money and run"? They are "accredited" by WAUC, essencially an unmeaningful entity. Significantly, at least in my case, they are both apparently licensed by the State of Louisiana Dept. of Education. Again, I'm not interested in their academic integrity. After all, if it works, why not? That way I can focus my efforts solely on my graduate studies.
Any comments would be much appreciated!
Thanx, Tom

Tom,

I think your really off track and your heading for no good. Anyone in my opinion who is not interested in the integrity of a school cant be right, and really is looking for trouble.
If you have read anything before on this forum you’ll see that a lot of the members don’t take too kindly to posts like yours. Or for that matter mine J. All I can say is do your homework. And be careful.

Michael

[Craig Hargis]

This makes no sense. If accreditation is a "non issue" then the graduate program you mention is itself not only non-accredited but without academic standards, rigor, integrity, and very possibly legality. The source of one's BA is always an issue in graduate admissions even at, or especially at, the better of the non GAAP schools. If any legal degree will do, get one of those $195 specials out of Cyprus/Denmark/Montana. Better yet, just get the doctorate from Lacrosse--they will give it in any field you can imagine. They claim they are legal in Mississippi--though I don't know what loophole they are using in Mississippi law.

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[Tom Head]

Originally posted by Craig Hargis
They claim they are legal in Mississippi--though I don't know what loophole they are using in Mississippi law.

I dunno; they claim their degree-granting authority from Louisiana, so what we're talking about here is a branch campus (or branch P.O. box, or whatever). I'm not sure which Mississippi laws, if any, would apply in that sort of situation.


Peace,

[Craig Hargis]

Interesting...LA says you have to make application for DETC, so drop your doctorates. Lacrosse says OK, we will move our doctoral programs to Mississippi. They don't register in Miss because it does not allow non accredited schools except by a fairly closely watched religious exemption. So the degrees have questionable validity since they are given under Louisiana authority, revoked at the doctoral level, in Mississippi, where the school can't be legally registered. Sounds about right....

[DaveHayden]

Originally posted by Craig Hargis
Interesting...LA says you have to make application for DETC, so drop your doctorates. Lacrosse says OK, we will move our doctoral programs to Mississippi. They don't register in Miss because it does not allow non accredited schools except by a fairly closely watched religious exemption. So the degrees have questionable validity since they are given under Louisiana authority, revoked at the doctoral level, in Mississippi, where the school can't be legally registered. Sounds about right....

And of course RJT will respond with how these are quality schools because they are state licensed, inspected, and require real work. Hah. Forget that they are unaccredited, fly-by-night, and an academic joke. He will continue to reject all advice here and then contiue to post. Oh well it all definately brings a smile to my face. I wonder which "near-degree-mill" he bring up next?

[Bill Huffman]

Originally posted by RJT
Also, the US DoE states that "States" have the right to make such considerations. Outside of the State process, a school can either be RA or NA. However, all three are legal in 49 states (except OR, which denies State Liscened schools). It's your call, you have the facts. Good Luck!

In many states, a State License for a school is about as meaningful as getting a business license. Most if not all the schools shut down for being degree mills were probably state licensed.

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