Job Discussion Forums

Gregor · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 842 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

Again with the university thing. Does anyone know American Public University? Diploma Mill or legit? Looks and sounds pretty legit, but I always forget what kind of accreditation is good. At least they charge by credit hours instead of a flat rate for the degree. But what do y'all know about this one?

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

Legit. Not everyone can have access to a myschool.edu domain name. They have been approved by someone, somewhere, at some point.

Their rates are reasonable as far as tuition goes but it'll take a few years to get a MS while paying 250$/unit and teaching in China.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Here's a link to the accreditation page.
http://www.apus.edu/APUS/Accreditation/Accreditation-and-Licensure.htm
If it's simply the accreditation you're worried about it might be a good idea to wait a year to see if it is granted the Regional Accreditation.

Incidentally, the British Open University has been going for nearly thirty years now. Might be an idea to take a look.

Be aware that many countries do not recognize distance bachelor's degrees. If it's purely for employment/visa purposes that you want the degree, bear that in mind.

merlin · Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 5:49 am Post subject:

In practice, NO, they are not. In the US regional accreditation is what matters, which they honestly state they don't have but might at some future date. The accreditation process could take years.

Gregor · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 842 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

I'm not looking to get a Master's; just a Bachelor's. China has kindly agreed to accept my TESOL Diploma from Trinity College, London as adaquate to qualify for the minimum educational requirements for working here as a teacher. But I would still like to get a bachelor's degree. American Public has one in Asian Studies that I am most interested in.
I pretty well live in China now. I make good money (easily enough to afford the APU degree), have a nice house and lovely wife, blah blah blah.
I am now working VERY hard on my han yu language skills, and it occured to me that, if I can speak Chinese and have this sort of degree, on top of the guanxi I am cultivating, I could put myself in a pretty good position, either here OR back "home".
Actually, if I can get my language skills up to just comfortable conversation level, I'd be in pretty good shape, but the Asian Studies degree from an American university would rock.
I shall, though, look into the British Open University as well, thanks for the heads up.