Job Discussion Forums

[MrBlueBook]

Hi,

This subject seems to come up alot, so I thought I would post the following:

There's a website at bain4weeks.com which is kind of interesting.

Apparently, out of all the regionally accredited schools in the US, there are 3 that will allow you to earn your bachelors degree completely by testing out. By testing out, I mean by way of standardized tests such as CLEP, DANTES, etc.

Most if not all of this can be done at places like Sylvan learning centers or local military bases and reservist bases.

The costs are kind of high relative to going the low road and getting something counterfeit, or from a non-accredited "university", but much lower than normal tuition.

You can also complete it all pretty quickly, it seems like.

I'm sure there's a chance that other universitites may not accept the transfer of all of the credits, etc.

But, there are the six regional body's for accrediting schools in the US, and these three schools are all members of one of them, and therefore it is a totally legit bachelors degree.

I think that maybe the best course of action for someone who wants to teach but who doesn't currently hold a degree is to do something like this.

Then, depending on your goals, level of commitment, etc. you could either get some sort of TEFL certification, or you could go with one of the online masters degree programs for applied linguistics.

At any rate, this is probably the fastest and least expensive way to complete a legitimate bachelors degree.

[Gordon]

Other than cheating and faking your way into a degree, here's another way: actually working hard, study and doing the degree. That way you don't have to hold your head down low when someone asks you about your degree. Maybe some accredited body accepts this "degree", but anyone who scrutinizes will see it for what it is worth - toilet paper.

You will really be wasting your money.

The examples you have given show why American universities in general are not accredited as are all universities in Canada or Australia (sorry don't know about the UK).[/quote]

[nomadic]

I long for a day when people will be judged based on their ability and not whether they hold a certain piece of paper... I tend to find the degree/no degree distinction somewhat frustrating at times. But before I get back on that personal soapbox, here's a small read on why you might want to really research those online 'schools' before buying what they're selling:

http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,62689,00.html

One of my favourite bits is about how the now-resigned Laura Callahan, then associate deputy in the Chief Information Office of the Department ofHomeland Security had purchased not only her bachelor's, but also her master's and PhD from a diploma mill.

There is also a link in the article to a guy in Oregon who maintains a list of illegal diploma mills. Whether "BA in 4 Weeks" is one or not, I can't say, and if it gets you where you want to go, perhaps it's worth it... but in my opinion, one shouldn't lean on it expecting it to hold the weight of a 'real' University degree!

Cheers,
- nomadic

[MrBlueBook]

I think that you all may not have looked at the website - or may not have looked much.

That site is not a diploma mill. They don't even offer a diploma. Just information.

Basically, like I said, all of the legitimate universities and colleges in the USA are accredited by one of 6 regional bodies.

Out of all of the truly accredited universities, there are 3 that will allow you to completely test out of all classes. Not with some fluff test. Not with a recipe for water. They use the same exams (CLEP, DANTES, etc. that all university students can use to test out of certain classes, as applicable).

If a person has an accredited degree (not accredited by some internet college institution, etc), that is accredited by the same body as Purdue, MIT, Yale, Harvard, NYU, etc., how is it not a legitimate degree?

If a person is smart enough, has enough knowledge, or can study enough on their own to pass those tests, why is their degree toilet paper, or any less valid than someone who stayed on campus for 4 years drinking, smoking pot, and cheating?

At any rate, it's not my opinion, or the opinion of anyone else on this site that matters. The fact is that these three schools ARE accredited by one of the six regionals, and are therefore as legit as anyone elses degree.

I guess the slam re: the superiority of Canadian and Australian universities is probably born of frustration, more than anything. Frustration that American and British folks can get teaching positions without a degree so easily and are preferred so much more.

[Jetgirly]

I can see what you're getting at... there have been a couple of classes I've taken at university where I haven't shown up for any lectures, and there are a significant number where I've only shown up about 25% of the time... So why should those experiences be considered more valuable than someone who just "tests out" as you put it?

[justcolleen]

One of my friends holds a degree from an Egyptian university, and was a marine engineer for several years. He applied for admission into an undergraduate Environmental Engineering program here in the U.S. The university would not accept any credits from his prior studies, and told him he would have to start over. Instead of doing that, he's been CLEP testing out of courses, one after the other. So far he's saved himself 24 credits worth of time and money. It makes sense to me.

Colleen

[Jetgirly]

Hmmmmm... at my university, once you graduate and get your degree that is it. If you've earned extra credits, you have to apply several months in advance to have them "moved forward" and applied to another degree program. If you have a degree from our university (or any university), credits applied towards that degree cannot be applied towards a second undergraduate degree. You have to start from scratch again. That's why it would be smart to declare a double-major (allowing you to share credits), rather than get one degree and then the next.

In other words:

If a guy from a Canadian university (much less an Egyptian one) had a degree in ANYTHING, credits used towards that degree would be completely irrelevant in subsequent undergrad programs UNLESS he made arrangements before his first graduation ceremony...

[surfingyogini]

For me what's frustrating is the fact that i went to uni to study for 3-6 yrs to get a degree from an accredited place when it seems that I could have just said "I'm clever enough, I've got 'life' experience, give me a degree." Forgive me if I'm wrong, but spending time at uni is about more than just the paper... its about showing that you can go the hard yards for more than just six months.
re.

[cmoseley]

[lagerlout2006]

I suppose if some-one can test out and pass 20 (?) University level exams they deserve a BA. But the OP seems to take it pretty lightly. Preparing for these will not include drinking and pot-smoking. And how is "life-experience" going to help you pass a very specific exam Modern History or psychology or whatever? Experience and self-study should be enough to get you INTO University---not be handed a degree.

I wanna PH'D --gimme gimme--I'm smarter than these clowns.