Would you ever recommend a NA degree?

[sanantone]

Oh. I guess these schools aren't through a real NA agency because there is more of a price difference between these and RA. They each have some kind of national or U.S. accrediting agency, but I guess they are not considered NA  I think "degree mill" is harsh, because you have to do a lot of courses each with graded exams/assignments, but I guess they get lumped in with everything below NA. 

So I guess I asked the wrong question. Would anything below NA ever be worthwhile? I don't have a specific program in mind, but I saved some links a while ago and would search for more, only if it's worth considering. I guess I would see it as a check-the-box "disposable" degree. Insurance against losing my current job, and possibly to help me earn a little bit more in the current job. Then if it ever helped me gain a different part-time job, or helped me in any other way, that would be a bonus.

At least I would have the real TESU Biology degree (and BSBA) and at least one certification. Biology is not related enough to the job, but I feel like at least I don't seem like a person trying to get away with just degree mills? Or is it too tarnishing that I ever did something below NA? I would not put this non-NA on my resume for most future jobs, of course. Would future grad schools see this non-NA and would they put a red flag on me?

In the next 2-4 years, I am making efforts to switch to a different career field. But I don't want to give up this current part-time job as long as they will let me continue. Even if I get a good job in the other field, I would like to do this part-time on my days off and off hours if I can. Also, I am not sure my different career field attempts will be a full-time success because of my disabilities. They may be part-time.

Because the degree would have such a limited use, I wouldn't want to spend much money. I wouldn't mind putting in my time, because I would enjoy learning, but the longer it takes, the more nervous I am about losing the current job.

Edit: Even with non-NA, maybe it would only be a Bachelors to save money and time. Or I might forego all this and hope certifications are enough, but I also have a friend wondering about non-NA Bachelors to save money.

Edit: I think I could test out of an RA Associates/Bachelors in 3-6 months, but that would be around $4000 or more for Bachelors and $2000 for Associates, and the bigger problem is most of the RA test-out degrees aren't as relevant sounding.

You can't guess a school's accreditation by its tuition rates. It's easy to verify a school's accreditation online. Just about every school is honest about who they are accredited by or if they're unaccredited. You can check to see if the accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 

https://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/agencies.aspx

We do not advocate diploma mill "credentials" of any sort of this forum.  

You asked about masters degrees now you are switching gears to bachelor and associate programs.  

You will not find acceptance of non legitimate options here, please stop asking.

You might consider Unversity of the People.  I believe they are still unnacredited, but they are a legitimate company with an idea.

University of the People is accredited by DEAC. Nations University is also cheap and accredited by DEAC.

[bjcheung77]

Everything lumped "below NA" are not considered to be all degree mills. There are the state approved schools, many of these are approved for certificates, diplomas, and associates, with a few having bachelor degree offerings. These schools are perfectly fine for the state you're in, but not be for other states if it requires licensing; for the professions that do not require a license to practice, you should be fine.

As long as the school is recognized by their State, I would go further and make sure they're recognized by another secondary programmatic/systematic accreditation - IE, some business certs such as Six Sigma are from state authorized schools which are not colleges/universities, they're just institutes with specific training in mind.

For example, I took as many "cheap" Management & Strategy Institute certifications as they are industry accredited/certified.
Their programs are expensive if you buy from them directly, but if you go through Groupon, you can get a package deal. These type of programs and schools are ones I wouldn't mind attending, as long as you know what you're getting... "industry recognized" certs.

An example where you don't want to get your foot into would be an unaccredited health related field, such as "natural health". There was a school (one of many), Clayton College of Natural Health, I think they've resumed under another operation. It's so scary sometimes when I read profiles of "natural healers" and they've graduated from schools that have similar "accreditation".

Laugh, see their new college creation http://www.naturalhealthcollege.org/
- Their CCNH transfer page http://www.naturalhealthcollege.org/CCNH-transfer.php
- Their accreditation page: http://www.naturalhealthcollege.org/accreditation.php
None of their accreditation are from valid accreditors, I've read so many schools using the same 3, all fake.

[Ideas]

As long as the school is recognized by their State, I would go further and make sure they're recognized by another secondary programmatic/systematic accreditation - IE, some business certs such as Six Sigma are from state authorized schools which are not colleges/universities, they're just institutes with specific training in mind.

Great to know. This makes more sense now!

[dfrecore]

Everything lumped "below NA" are not considered to be all degree mills. There are the state approved schools, many of these are approved for certificates, diplomas, and associates, with a few having bachelor degree offerings. These schools are perfectly fine for the state you're in, but not be for other states if it requires licensing; for the professions that do not require a license to practice, you should be fine.

Can you give some examples of somewhere where you can get an associates degree that is non-accredited in any way, yet state approved? And that a state will accept as a degree?

I know you can for example, become a barber by going through a state-approved school/program, but they do not claim to be accredited, or an associates degree.

I think you're conflating state-required licensing with an accredited degree program.

[Old Guy]

A Nationally Accredited degree can get you a commission in the Army or a job in government. For most practical purpose there would be no discrimination because most people wouldn't understand any differences, if indeed there are any. There is discrimination in academia, however a few people with Nationally Accredited degrees teach at Regionally Accredited schools. Regional Accreditors, themselves, do not officially discriminate. All other things being equal, the Regionally Accredited degree is preferable but things are rarely equal. Regionally Accredited schools are heavy on the BS factors while in Nationally Accredited schools you pay your money and go to school.

[bjcheung77]

Everything lumped "below NA" are not considered to be all degree mills.   There are the state approved schools, many of these are approved for certificates, diplomas, and associates, with a few having bachelor degree offerings.   These schools are perfectly fine for the state you're in, but not be for other states if it requires licensing; for the professions that do not require a license to practice, you should be fine.  

Can you give some examples of somewhere where you can get an associates degree that is non-accredited in any way, yet state approved?  And that a state will accept as a degree?

I know you can for example, become a barber by going through a state-approved school/program, but they do not claim to be accredited, or an associates degree.

I think you're conflating state-required licensing with an accredited degree program.

Pennsylvania Private Licensed Schools are State Approved.  They allow career certs/dips and specialized associates.
http://www.education.pa.gov/Postsecondar...aspx#tab-1

California has the BPPE and allow certs/dips and associates. - https://app.dca.ca.gov/bppe/default.asp
I randomly did a search and grabbed 4 schools that started with the letter A... See below
This one caught my attention with MA/PHD: https://app.dca.ca.gov/bppe/view-school....de=1921961

1) Agape - http://www.agapeschools.org/agape-college.html
2) Academy of Intuition Medicine - http://www.agapeschools.org/agape-college.html 
When you click their Energy Medicine University link, you get this - http://energymedicineuniversity.org/approval.html

3) Academy of Chinese Culture & Health Sciences - http://acchs.edu/prospective-students/accreditation/
4) Advanced College (State approved & COE recognized) - http://www.advancedcollege.edu/accreditation.php
The program that seems remotely interesting is the Associate Degree in Surgical Technology

A California Law School - http://www.nwculaw.edu/, people can get a cheap JD degree and chance at the BAR!
Then there's Frederick Taylor U, http://ftu.edu/approval/ - they offer undergrad & grad degrees in Business.

There are a whole slew of other states that have state approved schools, the big one that closed down a few years ago
was Kennedy Western/Warren National - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Nat...University

For individuals who want a recognized yet highly ranked Christian education and obtain a Masters degree, CIU which was ranked in the top 5 Christian schools allow (case by case basis) of unaccredited Undergrad degrees.  
Education is all about the $$ - It's written here: http://www.ciu.edu/admissions-aid/faq/no...ed-degrees
Their Masters is $10 grand.  http://www.ciu.edu/admissions-aid/cost-o...s/graduate

[sanantone]

As demonstrated in the link I posted earlier, some states are recognized by the federal government as regional or national accreditors, which is the case with Pennsylvania. But, it is true that California has unaccredited schools that grant law degrees and doctoral degrees in psychology that qualify for licensure. So, it's not just associate's degree programs that can be state-approved; however, California is an anomaly.

Just about every school starts out unaccredited. The process is to earn state approval, and there is usually a requirement to earn accreditation from a recognized organization in a certain number of years. Religious schools are exempt from accreditation requirements, so that's why some accredited religious schools will accept unaccredited degrees.

[cookderosa]

I'll take the contrary position. Takes the same time as an RA, likely costs as much. I would forever be looking over my shoulder wondering if they knew and f it was the reason for some problem or lack of promotion.

WGU, Patten, is it Hodges? All of these and more are RA, quick (potentially), and very affordable.

I have less of an issue at the Masters level in your situation than if you asked about an NA Bachelors.

There ya go, my 2 cents.....cost you less than that.

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What degree are you looking for?

Ha ha, I was thinking "contrary? That's exactly my opinion too." but then I realized you were commenting on another post.

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Oh. I guess these schools aren't through a real NA agency because there is more of a price difference between these and RA. They each have some kind of national or U.S. accrediting agency, but I guess they are not considered NA  I think "degree mill" is harsh, because you have to do a lot of courses each with graded exams/assignments, but I guess they get lumped in with everything below NA. 

So I guess I asked the wrong question. Would anything below NA ever be worthwhile? I don't have a specific program in mind, but I saved some links a while ago and would search for more, only if it's worth considering. I guess I would see it as a check-the-box "disposable" degree. Insurance against losing my current job, and possibly to help me earn a little bit more in the current job. Then if it ever helped me gain a different part-time job, or helped me in any other way, that would be a bonus.

At least I would have the real TESU Biology degree (and BSBA) and at least one certification. Biology is not related enough to the job, but I feel like at least I don't seem like a person trying to get away with just degree mills? Or is it too tarnishing that I ever did something below NA? I would not put this non-NA on my resume for most future jobs, of course. Would future grad schools see this non-NA and would they put a red flag on me?

In the next 2-4 years, I am making efforts to switch to a different career field. But I don't want to give up this current part-time job as long as they will let me continue. Even if I get a good job in the other field, I would like to do this part-time on my days off and off hours if I can. Also, I am not sure my different career field attempts will be a full-time success because of my disabilities. They may be part-time.

Because the degree would have such a limited use, I wouldn't want to spend much money. I wouldn't mind putting in my time, because I would enjoy learning, but the longer it takes, the more nervous I am about losing the current job.

Edit: Even with non-NA, maybe it would only be a Bachelors to save money and time. Or I might forego all this and hope certifications are enough, but I also have a friend wondering about non-NA Bachelors to save money.

Edit: I think I could test out of an RA Associates/Bachelors in 3-6 months, but that would be around $4000 or more for Bachelors and $2000 for Associates, and the bigger problem is most of the RA test-out degrees aren't as relevant sounding.

I'll be blunt and to the point - it's a total waste of money and time to get an unaccredited degree. It would be easier just to lie. At least that's free.
EDIT TO ADD: University of the People did earn accreditation a couple years back and might be a great solution for Idea's situation.

[sanantone]

You can purchase a doctorate from an ordination mill for less than $100, I believe.

[Ideas]

I'll be blunt and to the point - it's a total waste of money and time to get an unaccredited degree.  It would be easier just to lie.  At least that's free.
EDIT TO ADD:  University of the People did earn accreditation a couple years back and might be a great solution for Idea's situation.

U of People seems like it's almost the cost of COSC, etc. They say a Bachelor's is estimated to cost $4060 and an Associates $2060. I would just do an RA Associates in that case. I might be able to get some grant or scholarship, if I delay my TESU degree longer (which would probably cost me because of the Study.com agreement expiring).

I'm not thinking of getting an unaccredited degree, but I am still confused on where the cut off is regarding accrediting body and being worthwhile. I trust your opinion on the matter

Are you saying the ones with state approval are a waste of time too, or do those make the cut? It's an online job, but would I have to only look for schools in the state I live in? I am planning to move to another state and maybe move down the road.

I also don't know how secondary/programmatic accreditation factors in. It seems like bjcheung is saying state approval plus secondary/programmatic is more solid. Is it worthwhile if they have both? I would assume some secondary/programmatic are better than others, and I don't know how to tell the difference.