KWU Questions #5 and #6 Discussions

[Robert J.]

Use this thread to comment on the responses to questions #5 and #6.

[Robert J.]

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[Redlyne Racer]

...It is important to note that one of the conditions of the accreditation process is that the school undergoing the process is prohibited from discussing or promoting that it is in that process....

I believe that is true of DETC applicants. I wasn't aware of that being true for RA applicants. Hence, perhaps, a hint of the direction K-W is taking?

[plcscott]

Number 5.

David Gering wrote:
Non-accredited online higher education meets the needs of a sizable population of students. That said, online education is constantly evolving, as is the accreditation process and requirements, so the University is always looking at accreditation. We periodically attend conferences regarding accreditation. It is possible in the future that KWU will pursue accreditation. Until now, we have remained non-accredited to best serve our students who want focused and academically rigorous degree programs.

How can you tell reporters that you are working on becoming accredited, and then go back to the same line that KWU has used for years, "the University is always looking at accreditation"? What does "always looking at accreditation mean"? Is KWU waiting for some accreditation body to change it's requirements so that KWU's educational (business) model will fit?

Look at some of the California "approved" universities listed HERE! (http://www.bppve.ca.gov/directories/degree.pdf):

Abraham Lincoln University
Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences
American Institute of Hypnotherapy
The Bonnie Bergin Assistant Dog Institute
Life University
Mashdots College
The Optimal Performance Institute
Tien Tao Chong Hua University

Are we to believe that KWU is even thinking about applying for accreditation if they will not even apply for state approval in the state that the university is in? The state where institutions are approved to grant graduate degrees in Oriental Medicine and Human-Canine Life Sciences. I'm sorry, but I just think this is more of the same talk until I see KWU on some list of applicants.

[plcscott]

Number 6

David Gering wrote:
The premise of this question is incorrect as there was nothing about accreditation in the press release announcing the settlement of the federal lawsuit KWU filed against the state of Oregon. However, KWU has expressed its support for legislation recently proposed in Wyoming that would have required licensed universities there to become accredited within five years. While that bill is not being considered at the moment, KWU is actively assessing options for accreditation.

From my understanding KWU has been saying this for a long time, how active do you have to be? Pick one, make the changes needed, and apply, or quite misleading people into thinking that you are.

It is important to note that one of the conditions of the accreditation process is that the school undergoing the process is prohibited from discussing or promoting that it is in that process.

That is convenient. During the Senate hearings and all the media attention KWU said they could not respond because of some kind of gag (no specifics of course), then during this time they shut down the pub (forum) for over a month for an upgrade (which InfoPop said could be done in hours), then when they filed the complaint against the ODA they could not comment about much of anything regarding KWU's operation.

So, since you cannot comment after you apply and when you are in the process then we can assume KWU has applied and we will see KWU's name on the next list of applicants by one of these accreditors, right?

[J]

How can you tell reporters that you are working on becoming accredited, and then go back to the same line that KWU has used for years, "the University is always looking at accreditation"? What does "always looking at accreditation mean"? Is KWU waiting for some accreditation body to change it's requirements so that KWU's educational (business) model will fit?

I believe so. I think the problem is that WASC (remembering that they would ideally like to be in CA), NCA and the BPPVE won't look at programs that are delivered entirely by self-paced individualized learning contract and that include substantial individualized PLA assessment. But we know Middle States and New England will to some extent, at least to the bachelors' level. I think KWU is waiting until the other applicable accreditors get to that situation and until those forms of assessment are more widely accepted at the graduate level too.

Whilst there are significant differences between the RA agencies on what they consider accreditable, KWU will always have a valid argument, IMHO.

[plcscott]

I believe so. I think the problem is that WASC (remembering that they would ideally like to be in CA), NCA and the BPPVE won't look at programs that are delivered entirely by self-paced individualized learning contract and that include substantial individualized PLA assessment. But we know Middle States and New England will to some extent, at least to the bachelors' level. I think KWU is waiting until the other applicable accreditors get to that situation and until those forms of assessment are more widely accepted at the graduate level too.

If KWU is waiting on a legitimate accreditor to come around to their model then they will NEVER become accredited.

There is NO assessment. You list your work experience on the application, and you are given experience credit. No assessment, no verification. As a matter of fact the credit is listed as say 50% experience credit, but no credit is given for particular subjects. Most people do not really know that legitimate schools actually have a process for PLA, and after you prove your knowledge and experience of the subject then you are given credit for the subject. Not the way KWU works.