Are online degrees respected?  It’s a question many people ask everyday as they think over their options for going back to school and earning the degree they didn’t finish years ago.  Many people who work full-time or have other commitments are now turning to online degree programs and it’s easy to see why.  There are several reasons why the online option is so appealing.  First, most people who are over 30 find it very difficult to work college classes into their busy schedules.  Once a person reaches a certain point in life and has certain life responsibilities, it’s often very hard to work in-person classes into their lives.

Another problem that working adults run into when considering traditional degree programs is commuting back and forth to school.  After all, it’s not like these 30-somethings and older people are going to live on campus in dorms.  No, they will have to commute back and forth several times a week and have to fight each time for the best parking spaces.  This is something that consumes even more of their valuable time.

Because of the many problems that adults face when they think about finishing their undergraduate degrees or even earning graduate degrees, the online degree option looks like a great idea.  And why not?  Most online degree programs do not require students to be sitting at their computers at specific times to participate in class activities.  They can access their course materials during times that are convenient for them…. like when the kids are asleep, during breaks at work, over the weekends, and other times that work for them.  Online learning makes the concept of having to worry about following your professors’ schedules a thing of the past.

But still…. there’s that nagging thought about the quality and usability of online degrees.  Are they respected?  Are they taken seriously?  The answer is not a simple “yes” or “no.”  There are several things to consider when shopping for the best online degree program.  And not all online degree programs are created equal.

Are Online Degrees Taken Seriously?

Online degrees are often taken seriously by employers if they are from well-established state colleges or universities.  In fact, many people don’t even realize that most traditional colleges and universities now offer online degrees in addition to their regular on-campus degree offerings.

There are some online degrees that are not taken anywhere near as seriously as degrees from traditional schools.  These are degrees from the for-profit schools.  These are schools that are more of a business than a school…in fact, most of them were created for the purpose of generating a profit for their owners.  These schools are very easy to identify.  With a simple internet search for “for-profit colleges and universities” you can easily find a list of these schools.

Many of the for-profit schools have developed a bad reputation because they advertise so much and have open enrollment admissions.  You have to think about it from the perspective of an employer.  Which would you be more inclined to hire….someone who graduated from a respected state university or someone who graduated from one of the for-profit schools that has cheesy TV commercials and accepts anyone with a pulse?  That’s what many employers face on a daily basis.  And in most cases the applicant with the state school on his or her resume is usually the one who gets the job.

Online Degree VS Traditional Degree

There are a few differences in an online degree vs a traditional degree that you should be aware of if you are considering earning your degree online.  This assumes you are going to be earning your degree from a traditional university instead of a for-profit school.  First, traditional classes require you to meet at specific times at a specific location…usually several times a week.  Online classes, in contrast, typically do not require any in-person meetings.  They also usually do not require you to be at your computer at specific times either.

Another thing that is occasionally different involves exams.  There are many online classes that don’t require any exams at all.  It’s true.  As long as you turn in your assignments by their due dates and complete all of your online discussion board postings, that’s all that’s required to earn your grade.  However, there are many online classes that do require you to take exams.  How is this done if you live a long way from your school?  Most online classes allow you to find someone who lives close to you who is in a position of trust to administer your exam.  This person, usually called a “proctor,” can often be a librarian, public school official, or someone else as designated by your school.  Exams are mailed to your proctor and are mailed back after they are completed.

Online Degrees For Military Personnel

For many military personnel who are stationed at bases all over the globe, online degrees are really the only option they may have to continue their education.  Thankfully, there are now so many different colleges and universities that offer such programs that there’s literally something available to fit everyone’s particular needs.  Military personnel can earn an online degree while stationed in a remote corner of the globe and use their degree to gain a promotion.  In addition, military personnel can take advantage of military tuition assistance and the GI Bill to earn their degrees with little or no out-of-pocket expenses.

Are Online Degrees Respected?

To answer the question of whether online degrees are respected….the answer is a qualified “yes.”  They are respected if they are from a traditional college or university that also has online degree programs.  If you are thinking about enrolling in such a program, it’s a good idea to go with a school that’s as close as possible to where you live.  Hardly anyone will even suspect you earned your degree online with this strategy.  For example, if you live in Florida, you could enroll in one of the University of Florida’s many online degree programs.  If you don’t mention the fact that you earned your degree online to a potential employer, they probably won’t ask as long as it’s from a respected university in your state.

What is it that makes a college or university legit?  Is it a sprawling campus?  An awesome library?  Or maybe it’s the presence of formidable sports teams… surely that counts, right?  That’s a question that many people often ask when considering one of the many new schools that only offer online degrees.  If there is no “campus,” are the degrees awarded by these schools legit?  One of the more popular online-only schools that has seen rapid growth in recent years is American Military University (AMU).  And naturally, many people want to know if the degrees awarded by the school can be used for employment purposes or even to gain acceptance into a graduate program at a traditional school.  Let’s take a look and see.

AMU University

Compared to other schools, AMU is very new.  It has only been around since 1991 and was originally created to offer degree programs to members of the armed forces and law enforcement personnel.  Many of the school’s degree programs are very unique and are not commonly found at other universities.  A few examples of the degree programs AMU offers include Homeland Security, Intelligence Studies, Military Management, International Relations and many others.

AMU was established by a retired high-ranking USMC officer who recognized that there was a deficiency in traditional schools being able to meet the unique academic needs of military personnel.  AMU was established to fill this void.

Since all of AMU’s degree programs were originally created for military personnel, online delivery of the course content made the most sense.  This is due to the fact that most military personnel are stationed all around the world, making in-person classes difficult, if not impossible, to coordinate.

AMU has seen incredible growth since its founding.  The school now has well over 80,000 students and more than 1,000 staff.  A wide variety of degree programs are offered from the associate’s degree level all the way through the master’s degree level.

American Military University Address

Although AMU does not have a campus where students can take classes in-person, it does have a central office for its staff.  The school’s main offices are located at the following address:

111 West Congress Street
Charles Town, WV 25414
(877) 755-2787

American Military University Federal School Code

Each college and university in the United States has a school code assigned to it by the Federal Government for financial aid purposes.  The AMU school code is:  038193.

Is AMU Regionally Accredited?

The thing that makes a school in the United States legitimate is not its campus, library, sports teams, or any of those other things most people associate with higher education.  The only thing that really matters is its accreditation.  And in the United States the number one form of accreditation to hold is known as “regional accreditation.”

Is AMU regionally accredited?  The answer is…yes.  AMU is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.  There are six regional accrediting agencies in the nation and this agency is one of them.  Since the school holds regional accreditation, AMU degrees can be used without any restriction for employment purposes or to gain admission into any graduate degree program.

What’s The Verdict?  Is AMU A Good School?

Don’t let the fact that AMU does not have a campus deter you from considering one of its degree programs.  The school does hold regional accreditation, which is commonly considered the highest form of accreditation a school in the nation can hold.  In addition, the tuition is reasonable and AMU graduates can use their degrees for any purpose graduates of traditional degree programs can.

And don’t make the mistake of thinking that AMU degrees are only for military personnel.  Yes, the school does offer many programs that are specifically targeted towards military jobs… but the school also offers many traditional degree programs as well.  You don’t have to be in the military to be admitted to an AMU degree program.

There’s no doubt about it… nursing is one of the most exciting and dynamic careers there is today.  And not only that but it’s nearly recession-proof.  Qualified nurses are in such demand that they have the option of quitting a job and being able to quickly find another job… even in a tough economy.  There are also many different career paths nurses can take.  Nurses can work in the ER, ICU, deliver babies and work in many other exciting fields.  And nurses can continue their education to become nurse practitioners or nurse anesthetists and pull six figures.  How many careers can you think of that offer so many different options?

Most registered nurses enter the work force with an associate’s degree in nursing, which qualifies them to take the exam to be a registered nurse in most states.  However, those who want to advance their careers know they will need to continue their education and earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing at the least.  But how do you earn a BS in Nursing if you are in a position where you have to work full-time?  The answer is simple… you enroll in one of the many online RN to BSN nursing programs that are now available and work on your degree part-time.  One school you might have encountered in your search for the perfect school with an online RN to BSN program is American Public University.  And since this school is not well-known, you might have wondered if this school is a good option for you.  Let’s take a look.

American Public University System Reviews

American Public University (APU) is a relatively new school.  It was founded in 1991 but has grown rapidly.  The school now has a total student body of more than 80,000 and a staff of more than 1,000.  The school’s main offices are located in Charles Town, West Virginia.

All American Public University System Reviews should point out the fact that APU only offers online degrees.  That’s right… there is no campus where you can take classes in-person.  The school offers a very wide variety of degree programs that can be completed entirely online from the associate’s degree level all the way through the master’s degree level.  One of the university’s newest degree programs is an online RN to BSN degree program.

APU Nursing

The new APU nursing program is specifically for those who are already registered nurses.  It lets them complete the remaining courses they need to earn a BSN entirely online without having to visit a campus for any reason.  Such an arrangement makes earning part time nursing degrees very convenient.  The APU nursing program is relatively new.  In fact, it just started at the beginning 2011.  It’s definitely worth pointing out that American Public University holds regional accreditation, the best form of accreditation possible in the nation.  However, APU currently does not hold any type of specialized nursing accreditation.  For many employers and graduate schools though, this is not a problem.

The part time nursing degrees offered through APU should not be considered open enrollment.  There are certain prerequisites that must be fulfilled before you can be admitted into the program.  First, you must already be a registered nurse with an associate’s degree in nursing.  Second, your nursing license must not be restricted in any way.  And finally, you must submit proof that you are currently employed in some type of clinical nursing job.

If you are interested in enrolling in the school’s online nursing program, you’ll be glad to know that the admissions process is very simple and straightforward.  You simply submit an application with the $50 application fee.  You also have to complete an online orientation.  If you are accepted, an admissions representative will contact you with the good news.

The APU nursing program requires the completion of 122 total semester hours.  Of course, about half of these are waived based on the associate’s degree in nursing you’ve already completed.  And if you’re worrying about the cost of the program, there’s no need to worry at all.  APU is surprisingly affordable.  The school’s tuition is very much in-line with most state colleges and universities.  Undergraduate credits are only $250 each.

Is The APU Nursing Program Right For You?

Although the APU nursing program is still relatively new, it appears to be a solid program that has been well-designed.  APU itself has developed a strong reputation.  This means the degree you earn from the school will be respected and you should not face any problems using it for employment purposes or to gain admission into a nursing graduate degree program.

These days there are many colleges and universities that offer online degrees.  This is a good thing since it dramatically increases access to higher education for many people who would otherwise be locked out of the traditional model.  For the most part these are people who have been out of school for a few years and work full-time and now need to earn a degree for their career.  The traditional model of higher education has ignored these people for many years.  After all, once you are in a position where you have to work full-time, it’s not like you can just quit your job and return to college to study full-time.  Online learning has changed everything.  Now working adults can easily balance both work and homework at the same time.

If you are currently looking into your options for earning a degree online, you might have discovered a school known as the American Public University and wondered whether it’s a good school to earn your degree through.  Let’s take a look at the school’s history, accreditation and other attributes to see how it measures up.

American Public University Reviews

American Public University (APU) was established in 1991 and has its main offices in Charles Town, West Virginia and additional offices in Manassas, Virginia.  The school was created to increase access to higher education and to offer degree programs that traditional universities didn’t offer.

American Public University is structured as a for-profit university.  This means the school is structured a little differently from most colleges and universities in the nation which are typically non-profit entities.  For-profit schools, in contrast, generate revenue for their owners.  Who are the owners of APU?  As it turns out, the school has many owners since it’s a publicly traded company.  APU is owned by American Public Education, Inc. and is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol APEI.

Being structured as a for-profit school isn’t necessarily a bad thing.  As long as the school has proper accreditation, its degrees can be used for the same purposes that degrees from traditional schools can be used for.  APU degrees can be used for employment purposes or for admission to graduate degree programs at other schools.

American Public University Address

111 W Congress St
Charles Town, West Virginia 25414
(304) 728-8737

American Public University Federal School Code

The APU federal school code is:  03819300.

American Public University Online Degrees

APU has come a long way in a very short period of time.  Today the university offers many different degree programs from an assortment of associate’s degrees to many different master’s degree programs.  American Public University online degrees are offered in a format that’s known as “asynchronous.”  This simply means that you do not have to be at your computer at specific times to participate in class activities.  You can access your online classes during times that are convenient for you.

American Public University Tuition

The American Public University tuition is surprisingly affordable.  It is surprising because APU is a for-profit university and these schools typically have very high tuition.  It is also surprising because the APU tuition is lower than many online state colleges and universities that offer online degree programs.  APU currently charges $250 per credit hour for undergraduate studies and $325 per credit hour for graduate studies.

Is American Public University Accredited?

Is American Public University accredited?  The short answer is….yes, it is.  APU is accredited by one of the six regional accrediting agencies in the United States.  These regional accrediting agencies oversee all of the big-name schools in the nation, including the Ivy League schools.  A college or university only has to be accredited by one of the six agencies… not all six at once.  The APU accreditation definitely checks out.

Is APU Right For You?

American Public University is a great option for many people.  It is an ideal option for those who need a college degree to obtain a promotion at work or to change careers.  An APU degree is probably not going to be your best option, however, if you intend to break into academia as a college professor.  Colleges and universities usually hire their professors from traditional schools.

Are you thinking about earning your college degree online instead of doing so in person at a college or university campus?  If so, you’re definitely not alone.  Each year many thousands of people decide to go back to school to earn the degree they didn’t complete in their youth or to earn a graduate degree so  they can change careers or earn a promotion in the career they are already in.  The main reason why these people decide to earn their degree online can be summed up in one word: convenience.  Let’s face it… for many working adults it’s simply not possible to put their entire lives on hold and return to school on a full-time basis.  This works fine for young people but not for those who have mortgages, families and other commitments.  Online learning gives people the option of earning their degrees without having to visit the campus for any reason.  Not only that but online students can work on their courses when they have free time and no longer have to worry about making it to class on time or time-wasting commutes.

If you are thinking about returning to school and earning either an undergraduate or graduate degree, one online school you might have encountered during your search for the perfect school is American Public University (APU).  Because the school is unfamiliar to most people, you probably wondered whether it’s legit.  Let’s take a look at the school’s history and accreditation to see how it stacks up.

American Public University Online

The American Public University was established in 1991 as an online-only institution of higher learning.  APU Online is a for-profit university, which means it was established to generate a profit for its owners and is structured very much like a business.  APU is owned by its parent company, American Public Education, Inc.

When APU was established another school, American Military University (AMU), was established at the same time.  AMU is also a for-profit university that is owned by the same parent company.  And like APU, AMU is also an online-only school.  Both APU and AMU both fall under what is known as the American Public University System (APUS).  The main difference in the two schools is the fact that AMU primarily offers degree programs that are suited for military or law enforcement personnel while APU offers more traditional degree programs.

APU Address

American Public University’s main offices are located in Charles Town, West Virginia at the following address:

111 W Congress St
Charles Town, West Virginia 25414
(304) 728-8737

American Public University School Code

The APU Federal School Code is:  03819300.

American Public University offers a wide variety of degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level.  Many online certificate programs are available as well.  Degree programs are available in such fields of study as Arts & Humanities, Business, Education, Public Safety & Health, Security & Global Studies, Management, and Science & Technology.

APU Accreditation

The one thing that makes a college or university legit is its accreditation.  It doesn’t even matter if the school has a campus or operates entirely online.  If it has the right kind of accreditation, it is legit and the degrees it confers can be used for employment purposes without any restrictions or problems.

In the United States, the highest form of accreditation a school can hold is known as “regional accreditation.”  American Public University holds this type of accreditation.  The school is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, one of the six regional accrediting agencies in the nation.  Because the APU accreditation is the best possible, you can use your APU degree for anything you can use a “traditional” degree for including gaining admission to graduate school.

APU Ranking

For the most part, for-profit colleges and universities are typically not included in the most popular collegiate rankings lists.  APU is no exception.  For the purposes of collegiate rankings, no APU ranking should be assumed or implied.

APU Admissions

The APU admissions is very straightforward.  Since APU is a for-profit university, the school essentially has a policy of “open admissions” to attract as many students as possible.  Being admitted into any of the school’s degree or certificate programs usually involves little more than submitting an application.  And there’s no application fee either.

What’s The Verdict?  Is American Public University A Good School?

APU is a legitimate institute of higher learning with the best form of accreditation a college or university in the United States can hold.  There are only two potential drawbacks to the school.  First, it is relatively unknown and unremarkable.  Second, it is not included in any of the lists of collegiate rankings.  Aside from these limitations an APU degree is perfectly fine and can definitely be used for employment purposes or to gain admission into graduate school.

There are now many people who choose to finish their college degrees entirely online for a variety of reasons.  Many of these people are working adults who are simply unable to quit their jobs and study full-time on a college campus.  Once a person reaches a certain age, it’s simply not possible to purse a degree full-time with a mortgage, car payment, and other financial obligations.  Thankfully, with online learning you don’t have to be a young person who is still being supported by his or her parents to earn a college degree.  Online classes and degree programs are now being offered by many highly respected colleges and universities and represent a truly great way to complete your education so you can get the promotion you deserve or change careers.

If you are someone who is considering earning a college degree online, you might have encountered a school known as Breyer State University during one of your searches.  Because the name is unfamiliar you probably wondered whether the school is legit.  To answer this question it’s necessary to take a look at the school’s history, structure, and accreditation.

Breyer State University Reviews

Breyer State University claims to offer a variety of degree programs from the undergraduate all the way through the doctorate.  All of their courses can be completed entirely online.  Degree programs are available in the fields of Business, Education, Technology, Nursing, and the Humanities.

Breyer State University’s official address is a bit of a mystery since it tends to “move around.”  It used to have an office in Alabama but its license to operate in the state expired in 2008 and the state did not renew it.  After that the school moved to Idaho for a period of time.  The current address on the school’s web site is listed as Los Angeles, California.  The fact that Breyer State’s offices tend to move around is a red flag.

Breyer State University Accreditation

Breyer State University claims to be a member of the American Association for Higher Education and Accreditation and the Adult Higher Education Alliance.  Although these two organizations sound very legit, there’s one major problem… neither of them are recognized by the United States Department of Education as being legitimate accrediting agencies.  Because of this Breyer State University should be considered unaccredited.  This is another red flag.

Breyer State University Scam

If Breyer State University is unaccredited and frequently relocates its offices, is it legit?  Many don’t think so.  In fact, some have gone so far as to call it a scam.  The State of Alabama, for example, has come right out and labeled the “school” as a scam.  When the state made the decision not to renew Breyer State’s license to operate in the state, it stated “While many of the institutions closed for legitimate reasons, some – notably Columbus University and Breyer State University – were operating apparent diploma mills and taking shameful advantage of hundreds of unsuspecting students.”  In other words, the State of Alabama believed that Breyer State was taking people’s money in exchange for a worthless degree.

Is Breyer State University Right For You?

If you are looking for a properly accredited and respected institution of higher learning to earn your college degree though, Breyer State University is definitely not the school you are looking for.  Is there a Breyer State University scam?  Many seem to think so including the State of Alabama.  Before you enroll in a degree program with any college or university, take the time to thoroughly check it out, even if it’s a school you recognize.  You’ll be glad you did.

Are you someone who is interested in earning an online intelligence degree or perhaps a counter terrorism degree online?  If so, you might have encountered a school known as Henley Putnam University and wondered whether the school is legit.  This is completely understandable since the school is not well-known.  To answer the question of the school’s legitimacy it’s necessary to take a look at its history, structure, and accreditation.

Henley Putnam University Review

Henley Putnam University is a private school that was established in 2001with an office in San Jose, California.  As you can see, it has a very short history.  The school was established as an online-only institution.  All of the school’s degree programs are offered online.  No classes are offered at its San Jose location.

Henley Putnam University offers a variety of certificate and degree programs from the undergraduate level all the way through the doctorate.  All of the school’s programs focus on the fields of intelligence, counter terrorism, strategic security and other closely related fields of study.

Henley Putnam University is structured as a for-profit university.  This means it was structured from the very beginning to generate a profit for its owners.  Being a for-profit school doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad school.  It just means it is structured a little differently than most colleges and universities in the United States.  Other for-profit schools you may be familiar with include such schools as the University of Phoenix, Strayer University, IT Tech, and many others.

Henley Putnam University Location

25 Metro Dr # 500
San Jose, CA 95110-1339
(408) 453-9961

Henley Putnam University Accreditation

The Henley Putnam University accreditation checks out.  The school is accredited by the Distance Education Training Counsel (DETC).  This organization is recognized by the United States Department of Education as being a valid form of collegiate accreditation in the United States.

There are some things about DETC accreditation you should be aware of though.  Although DETC accreditation is a legitimate form of accreditation in the United States, it is not considered to be the highest form of accreditation a college or university can hold.  In fact, most schools in the nation hold a type of accreditation known as “regional accreditation.”  Henley Putnam does not hold regional accreditation.

Since Henley Putnam does not hold regional accreditation, this could cause some problems for you later on down the road.  For example, if you take a few classes through Henley Putnam and then decide to transfer to another school, a college with regional accreditation may not accept the credits.  In addition, if you do earn a Henley Putnam degree and then decide to earn a graduate degree at another school, your Henley Putnam degree may not be recognized.  This is because most colleges and universities in the United States do not consider DETC accreditation to be in the same league as their own.  Sure, there are a few colleges and universities that will accept these credits, but not many.

Henley Putnam University Scam

Since the school only holds DETC accreditation and not regional accreditation, some have wondered whether there is a Henley Putnam University scam.  Technically, there is no scam.  Henley Putnam degrees and certificates can be used for employment purposes although there are some employers who may not recognize the degrees.  For example, if you want to use your degree to break into higher education and teach at the collegiate level, your chances of doing so with a DETC accredited degree are extremely slim.  Other employers, however, may not mind the DETC accreditation at all.

Is A Henley Putnam Degree Right For You?

Should you pursue a degree through Henley Putnam?  It depends on what your goals are.  If you are sure that your employer or potential employer is okay with a DETC accredited degree, then a Henley Putnam degree is fine.  However, you always have to consider the possibility of taking a few Henley Putnam classes and then deciding to transfer to another school.  Do you want to take your chances with college credits that may not transfer?  Only you can make that decision for yourself.

Are you someone who works full-time but you’re thinking about returning to school to finish a degree?  If so, you may be wondering how you could possibly fit college classes into your already-busy schedule.  After all, it’s not like you have to make room for the class itself, you also have to plan for the commute to and from the campus, parking, and all of the other hassles that come with taking traditional college courses in-person.  For most working adults the traditional method of going to college just doesn’t cut it.  You need a different way, a way to fit your busy schedule.

Thankfully, there is a solution to this dilemma… earning your degree by taking online classes.  This concept is not as crazy as it may first appear.  There are now many highly respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees that can be completed without the need to visit the home campus for any reason.  If you’ve been searching for the perfect online school to earn your degree through, one school you might have encountered is California Coast University.  The school claims to offer degree programs in a variety of academic disciplines from the associate’s degree all the way through the doctorate that can be completed online.  The school also claims to hold valid accreditation.  But are these claims legit?  To answer this question it’s necessary to take a look at the school’s history, its structure and its accreditation.

California Coast University Reviews

California Coast University Online was founded in 1973 in Santa Ana, California.  It was originally named California Western University but changed its name to California Coast University in 1981.  The school was created to be a distance-learning institution from the very beginning.  No classes are offered at the school’s Santa Ana offices.  Today the school has an average annual enrollment of approximately 8,000 students.

California Coast University Online is structured as a for-profit school.  This simply means that the school exists to generate a profit for its owners.  There’s nothing inherently wrong or bad about this structure, but it’s worth noting that students do tend to get better financial deals at local state schools or community colleges.

California Coast University Accreditation

Since 1974 California Coast University has been approved by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education, the California Department of Consumer Affairs and the State of California itself.  However, it’s important to note that approval by these organizations does not constitute accreditation.  In fact, the school did not have any form of accreditation until 2005 when it acquired accreditation from the Distance Education Training Counsel (DETC).

Although DETC accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a legitimate accrediting agency, it is not considered to be in the same league as the type of accreditation that most colleges and universities in the nation have, regional accreditation.  If you take a few classes through California Coast University and then decide to transfer to another school, the credits you earned may not transfer.  Also, if you earn a California Coast University degree and then decide to pursue a higher-level degree through another school, it’s possible that your first degree may not even be recognized.

While it’s certainly true the school does have valid accreditation, you should be aware up front that the California Coast University accreditation is not in the same league as what most colleges and universities hold.

California Coast University Diploma Mill

One of the mean reasons why California Coast University Online decided to pursue DETC accreditation is because it was involved in a bit of controversy in 2003.  It was investigated by the United States General Accounting Office (GAO) as part of a much larger investigation into unaccredited schools that take federal funds and then provide useless degrees.  In other words, the GAO accused the school of being a fake diploma mill scam.

After a thorough investigation the GAO could not find any wrongdoing.  Thankfully, the school could not be labeled as a “California Coast University diploma mill.”  However, this incident was the catalyst that led to the school seeking and later being awarded DETC accreditation.

Is California Coast University A Good School?

All legitimate California Coast University reviews should emphasize the fact that although the school does have a valid form of accreditation, it is not the standard form of accreditation that most schools in the nation hold.  Because of this, it’s possible that you may run into some unforeseen problems down the road when applying for certain jobs or applying to graduate school with a degree or credits from this school.

There’s no doubt about it.  The idea of being able to earn an accredited college degree based on nothing more than an evaluation of your previous life experience is very enticing.  After all, if you’re someone who has been out of school for many years and you’ve suddenly learned that you need a college degree to advance in your career or to change jobs, who has time to take a bunch of new classes?  After searching what’s available online you might have encountered several schools that claim to offer accredited life experience degrees.  Lorenz University is one of these schools.  But is it legit?  Can you use a Lorenz University “life experience” degree for employment purposes?  To answer these questions its necessary to take a look at the school, its accreditation, and the concept of “life experience” degrees in general.

Lorenz University

Lorenz University claims to offer a variety of degree programs from the undergrad all the way through the doctorate based on nothing more than an evaluation of your previous experience (and a substantial fee, of course).  But there are several red flags about the school that you should be aware of.

The first thing in question is the concept of the “life experience” degree itself.  Is it possible to earn a college degree based on nothing more than an evaluation of previous experience?  The short answer is…no.  There are no reputable colleges or universities that will award a legitimate college degree based on nothing more that “life experience.”  All legitimate colleges and universities in the United States require college credit to be earned through highly structured course work or through challenge exams.  The mere fact that Lorenz University offers “life experience” degrees is a big red flag.

Lorenz University Address

If Lorenz University is a legitimate university, it should be very easy to find its address, right?  You would think so.  Unfortunately, the “school” does not provide any mailing address on its web site.  The location of its campus or at least its offices is a complete mystery.  The absence of a Lorenz University address is another red flag.

Lorenz University Accreditation

The one thing that makes a college or university legit is not its campus or the degrees it offers.  Rather, it’s the school’s accreditation.  In the United States that highest form of accreditation a college or university can hold is known as “regional accreditation.”

Lorenz University claims to be accredited by the International Accreditation Association for Online Education (IAAFOE) and the Accreditation Council for Distance Education (ACTDE).  Although both of these “organizations” sound very legit, there’s one major problem with them.  They are not recognized as being legit by the U.S. Department of Education.  In other words, the U.S. Government doesn’t even recognize them.  If you live in the United States and are considering a degree from Lorenz University, you should consider the Lorenz University accreditation to be non-existent.  This is yet another red flag.

Lorenz University Scam

So, what’s the verdict?  Is there a Lorenz University scam?

All fair Lorenz University reviews must conclude that the “school” is a classic diploma mill scam.  A diploma mill scam exists when someone sets up an elaborate web site that mimics the look of a traditional university’s web site.  The scam then involves selling college degrees for a substantial fee based on nothing more than a review of previous experience.  The perpetrator takes the unsuspecting victim’s fee and then mails a fake diploma and fake transcript.  Sadly, many people fall victim to the life experience degree scam each year and end up losing a lot of money.

Another important thing to point out in Lorenz University reviews is the fact that there are several states where it is illegal to use an unaccredited college degree for employment purposes.  Since Lorenz University does not hold regional accreditation, it would be illegal to use a Lorenz University degree in those states.

If you are considering a Lorenz University online degree, it’s in your best interest to keep looking for another school.  There are now so many reputable colleges and universities that offer online college degrees, you are sure to find what you’re looking for.  If you live in the United States, just be sure to check any potential school’s accreditation to be certain that it holds “regional accreditation.”

Is it really possible to earn a legitimate college degree based on nothing more than previous life experience?  That is the question many people ask when they first encounter Rochville University’s website.  The claims that are made on this “school’s” website seem almost too good to be true.  After all, Rochville University offers online degrees from the associate’s degree level all the way through the doctorate based on nothing more than an evaluation of experience and credentials you already possess.  And not only that but Rochville states that it is accredited too…wow!

Are Rochville University‘s claims for real?  Is it really as simple as paying a fee and having a degree in your hands in just a few day’s time?  And if so, can you use a Rochville degree to obtain a job or promotion?  To answer these questions it’s necessary to take a look at Rochville University, its accreditation, and how life experience degrees are viewed in the United States.

First of all, let’s take a look at the concept of the “life experience” degree.  Are such degree programs legitimate?  The answer is simple… they aren’t considered legitimate at all.  There are no legitimate colleges or universities in the United States that will award college credit or even a college degree for nothing more than “life experience.”  Although there are some legitimate ways to shorten your path to an accredited degree, such as taking CLEP exams, “life experience” degrees are not considered to be valid by employers, accrediting agencies, and the federal government.

Rochville University Location

All legitimate colleges and universities have either a campus or an office, right?  Then where is the Rochville University location?  Tracking down an address is not easy.  Although the “school’s” website appears to be operated out of Florida, its degrees and transcripts are mailed from the United Arab Emirates.  The absence of a mailing address on its website is a huge red flag.

Rochville University Accreditation

Above all else, the one thing that makes a college or university legit is its accreditation.  In the United States the gold standard of collegiate accreditation is known as “regional accreditation.”

Rochville University claims to hold “international “accreditation from two organizations.  These include the Board of Online Universities Accreditation (BOUA) and the Universal Council for Online Education Accreditation (UCOEA).  Unfortunately, neither of these organizations is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  If you live in the United States, you should consider Rochville University to be unaccredited, because this is how all potential employers will regard it.  The Rochville University accreditation, or lack thereof, is another huge red flag.

Rochville University Ranking

If a college is legitimate and respected, it should be easy to look it up on one of the collegiate rankings lists, right?  If you do try to find it on any of these rankings lists, however, it won’t be there.  The Rochville University ranking is curiously absent.  This is another red flag.

Can I Use A Rochville Degree To Get A Job?

In many states it is against the law to use an unaccredited degree for employment purposes.  The states that currently have such laws include Oregon, Michigan, Maine, North Dakota, New Jersey, Washington, Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, and Texas.  Several other states are considering similar legislation.  The Oregon Office of Degree Authorization has gone so far as to list Rochville University as a “fake.”

Many people have tried to use Rochville degrees to get a job or a promotion.  In the short-term many have been successful in passing off a Rochville degree as the real thing.  However, many of these same people have ended up losing their jobs when it was discovered they “bought” an unaccredited life experience degree and tried to pass it off as one that was legitimately earned.

If you live in the United States and you are interested in earning a properly accredited college degree online, make sure the college or university you are checking into has “regional accreditation.”  Thankfully, there are now many highly respected schools that have online degree programs.  You shouldn’t have any problem finding one to meet your needs.