What's Up Regarding Commonwealth Open University?

[ray1212]

I have been doing some research on Commonwealth Open University. Now it isn't accredited in the traditional sense, but appears to be somewhat sound academically. Attached is their website link, along with some other pages there are listed on:

http://www.commopu.org/

http://www.commopu.org/commopu.htm

http://www.cddc.vt.edu/eeddll/openu.html

http://www.siu.no/inst.nsf/0/d9e5c5...db?OpenDocument

http://two.faa.gov/distance-ed1.htm

http://www.psychnet-uk.com/training...ce_learning.htm


__________________
Ray

[dhfr]

... Now it isn't accredited in the traditional sense, but appears to be somewhat sound academically. ...Let's stipulate that it's simply not accredited. With that out of the way, how do we determine that it's somewhat sound academically? What evidence have you found?

[dr. latin juris]

A mystery :confused:

[GLH]

I graduated from Commonwealth Open University with a Master's and a PhD
in Education. The school required courses that were much more demanding
than any of the South Korean universities in Seoul, I visited all of
them and checked their programs. All of the courses required papers
similar to the papers requested when I attended Northern Central
University in the United States. Even the EcoPsychology program with
the Institute of Global Education offers a much less challenging
program with far fewer requirements.
The fact is that after attending several universities in under graduate
and graduate levels there are few that take as much time as the brick
and mortar schools such as the University of Maryland where I received
my BA or Frederick Community College where I received my AA. But when
it comes to distance education, I was really not satisfied with the
programs of Pheonix, Capella, or Northern Central University. At best,
Northern Central University was a repeat of the research work that was
expected of me at Commonwealth open university.
I hope that this is useful information.

[James Grey]

I graduated from Commonwealth Open University with a Master's and a PhD
in Education. The school required courses that were much more demanding
than any of the South Korean universities in Seoul, I visited all of
them and checked their programs. All of the courses required papers
similar to the papers requested when I attended Northern Central
University in the United States. Even the EcoPsychology program with
the Institute of Global Education offers a much less challenging
program with far fewer requirements.
The fact is that after attending several universities in under graduate
and graduate levels there are few that take as much time as the brick
and mortar schools such as the University of Maryland where I received
my BA or Frederick Community College where I received my AA. But when
it comes to distance education, I was really not satisfied with the
programs of Pheonix, Capella, or Northern Central University. At best,
Northern Central University was a repeat of the research work that was
expected of me at Commonwealth open university.
I hope that this is useful information.

Do you use the degrees professionally as in being a teacher or similar? Have you ever had an queries with the acceptance of the degees? What was the time requirements like and how long did it take overall?

[earthquake]

I also graduated from Commonwealth Open University. I found the experience quite rewarding. I had been an ABD. COU was open to British system of research degrees, which was my preference. They were very efficient and professional in all manner. Having read about other graduates, the consensus seems positive.

I have not encountered any difficulties using my COU degree. Mind you, I have been seasoned and fully qualified in my profession prior to my work with Commonwealth Open University. I believe their offerings may be helpful for some and not others. It was my preference, being British, to have a UK degree.

To add, I found all associated with COU open and very forthright. Something that can not be said about all universities regardless of accreditation or otherwise.

[GLH]

About working professionally,
YES! I have been a professor at 2 different universities in South Korea and approved for their research visa based on my PhD and research. Furthermore, I have also been approved for Professional status in Shanghai, China. The professional certificate in Shanghai, is necessary to teach in the Universities and such. I was contracted to work with teacher Colleges training teachers to develop methodology and curriculum competitive with western schools.
A further note, one of my colleagues that graduated from Maryland University for his graduate work and I took the time to compare the work that each of us completed in earning our degrees and the work was almost identical. The only difference were weekly meetings on campus that he had to attend. But the writing load went in my favor as did the interdisciplinary nature of my research and the global edge that my work has over his.
It is definitely important to note that I had been working in the teaching field for almost 6 years before I attended Commonwealth Open University for my MA and PhD. I generally suggest to learners making the transition from high school to university to consider seriously a brick and mortar school for their Bachelor's degree. I think that my undergraduate in the brick and mortar school really made the online studying much easier and ultimately much more successful. That being said, with the development of technology and the need to study on the go that was not as apparent or available in the late 90s and early 2000 I would say that programs from Commonwealth Open University at the under graduate level must be in line with preparing learners to attend their upper level courses and graduate programs. So, learners should have no problem attaining a quality education through this institution as long as they are dedicated to study and live up to the challenges of academia.
I hope this assists others in their consideration of the Commonwealth Open University Programs,
GLH

[James Grey]

I graduated from Commonwealth Open University with a Master's and a PhD
in Education. The school required courses that were much more demanding
than any of the South Korean universities in Seoul, I visited all of
them and checked their programs. All of the courses required papers
similar to the papers requested when I attended Northern Central
University in the United States. Even the EcoPsychology program with
the Institute of Global Education offers a much less challenging
program with far fewer requirements.
The fact is that after attending several universities in under graduate
and graduate levels there are few that take as much time as the brick
and mortar schools such as the University of Maryland where I received
my BA or Frederick Community College where I received my AA. But when
it comes to distance education, I was really not satisfied with the
programs of Pheonix, Capella, or Northern Central University. At best,
Northern Central University was a repeat of the research work that was
expected of me at Commonwealth open university.
I hope that this is useful information.

This is quite an interesting insight.

How long did it take you to meet the requirements and graduate with both your MA and PhD?

[James Grey]

I also graduated from Commonwealth Open University. I found the experience quite rewarding. I had been an ABD. COU was open to British system of research degrees, which was my preference. They were very efficient and professional in all manner. Having read about other graduates, the consensus seems positive.

I have not encountered any difficulties using my COU degree. Mind you, I have been seasoned and fully qualified in my profession prior to my work with Commonwealth Open University. I believe their offerings may be helpful for some and not others. It was my preference, being British, to have a UK degree.

To add, I found all associated with COU open and very forthright. Something that can not be said about all universities regardless of accreditation or otherwise.

Another interesting insight.

I am quite familiar with the UK system of thesis only degrees. How did the requirements for the research component compare with a 'regular' UK university? Was any defence required either at the proposal stage or at the end of the process?

Did you have contact with any member of the faculty? If so,were they 'identifiable' academically/professionally? As far as supervision is concerned, what was the turnaround and feedback like when you submitted chapters, or did you submit the work as complete?

You say that you are 'seasoned and fully qualified in your profession' - can you tell us the profession or general area of it? Does this mean that you have a first degree [UK] and professional membership/fellowships e.g. Chartered Accountant/Engineer and/or do you have a UK masters also?

Not every unaccredited institution is a degree mill. Feedback from graduates of the COU seem positive and I understand the argument that if one is fully qualified professionally that having a terminal unaccredited degree does not present the highest if any risk.

On the other hand I don't feel the same way about having a masters and doctorate from an unaccredited institution and the only RA degree being the first degree. This means that professional competence in the US situation relies more or less on unaccredited qualifications, whereas with UK the first degree is the professional degree and includes what you get in a US masters.

[earthquake]

Forgive me, I must be brief. I live in the US and travel to the UK very regularly, England and Jersey CI.

I do have a masters and licensed in the health care field. I have more than thirty-five years in my field; have held three Governors Appointments (a total of twenty years), served as an adjunct prof. for twenty-seven consecutive years. I hold both Diplomate and Fellow status in my field.

My project and portfolio were presented as "complete" for a Higher Doctorate.
I did have a person that directed my effort, completion and supported my representation to the university board.

My work with COU was for personal satisfaction, not for advancement or otherwise. As mentioned previously, I had been an ABD. COU provided an opportunity to bring closure and perhaps personal acknowledgment as I near retirement. I am, indeed, grateful.

I do hope this is helpful.