Degree Completion Programs

[jsd]

It is similar to what Pierpont and Big 3 are doing, but those schools also have separate programs and classes (and in the case of Pierpont, butt-in-seat courses).

This theoretical school would only be doing these completion programs.

[ss20ts]

It is similar to what Pierpont and Big 3 are doing, but those schools also have separate programs and classes (and in the case of Pierpont, butt-in-seat courses).

This theoretical school would only be doing these completion programs.

The thing is schools like EC are making big $$$ on their classes. They didn't make squat when they were exams only. Higher education is all about profit. Don't let that non-profit/for-profit thing fool you.It's all about making $$$$. How else would the president's make a few mill a year?

[rachel83az]

Could such a school even get (or keep, in the case of the purchase of an existing school) accreditation these days?

[ss20ts]

Could such a school even get (or keep, in the case of the purchase of an existing school) accreditation these days?

I think that's why jsd said DEAC. Then it would be NA. Seems like RA schools are required to have at least 30 credits completed at a college.

[Vle045]

If they didn’t have any courses, would there even be anything to accredit? I’d think there would have to be *some* sort of course(s). And a person with a relevant educational background.

[rachel83az]

Could such a school even get (or keep, in the case of the purchase of an existing school) accreditation these days?

I think that's why jsd said DEAC. Then it would be NA. Seems like RA schools are required to have at least 30 credits completed at a college.

I don't think that's true because EC still doesn't require 30 credits. Even if true, one could theoretically lease some inexpensive courses as TEL Learning's partners do. 

Sophia's courses come from another provider that I can't remember off the top of my head. Strayer/Capella's partner company purchases curriculum from them to implement as they please.

[ss20ts]

I think that's why jsd said DEAC. Then it would be NA. Seems like RA schools are required to have at least 30 credits completed at a college.

I don't think that's true because EC still doesn't require 30 credits. Even if true, one could theoretically lease some inexpensive courses as TEL Learning's partners do. 

Sophia's courses come from another provider that I can't remember off the top of my head. Strayer/Capella's partner company purchases curriculum from them to implement as they please.

The different accreditations could have a different requirement. WGU has had an issue with accreditation because of the lack of contact hours with a professor. I'm not sure how that was resolved. 

The parent company of Strayer and Capella also owns Sophia. 

Several schools are using the Strut Learning Platform. I believe Brandman was the first and that's how the bulk of the degrees were originally created. This is how UMPI got most of their degree options. They're starting to develop their own courses as well. These courses aren't ACE courses like Sophia though. You can only access them if you attend one of the schools using the platform.

[rachel83az]

The parent company of Strayer and Capella also owns Sophia. 

Yes. But neither Strayer, Capella, the parent company, nor Sophia itself actually makes the courses you can take from Sophia. There are (or were) references in some Sophia PDFs to this 3rd party company. There was a thread about this in 2020 and what courses Sophia could/should offer next, based on what was available there. I remember Spanish being a popular one at the time.

[jsd]

Could such a school even get (or keep, in the case of the purchase of an existing school) accreditation these days?

That's precisely my question.

Obviously it wouldn't be a huge profit maker, but with the low overhead I wonder if it could stay afloat as a non-profit in the vein of UoPeople, and not just as an admin cash cow

[ROYISAGIRL]

The question is there away to look at the criteria that accreditors look for? There has to be something that they look at to check off if a school meets criteria to be accredited.