There are five newly accredited schools for potential students to consider. Some interesting offerings are here that have not been offered before and I did a quick scan of each of these schools. See below for my quick and dirty reviews based upon price, site content and offerings.
The following institutions were accredited as of June 7, 2008:
Allied American University
Founded 2007 (2008/2011).
Associates and Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Criminal Justice, and General Studies.
The good:
- A really slick Web site
- A Bachelor of General Studies (a first for a DETC school)
- Free transcript evaluation however I couldn't find how many transfer credits they would accept.
- Textbooks included in cost
The bad:
- $250 per credit hour for an undergrad degree is pretty steep for a newcomer and DETC accredited school. There are plenty of less expensive regionally accredited offerings.
American Center for Conflict Resolution Institute
12900 Lake Avenue, Suite 003A
Lakewood, OH 44107
http://www.accri.org/
Founded 1998 (2008/2013).
Offers certificate courses in Professional Mediation and Paralegal-Legal Assistant.
The good:
- Their entire program is $900.
The bad:
- Easily the award winner for the "worst school seal ever" award. It's a peace symbol with writing on it.
- No degree offerings, the program credit transferability is dubious.
- From where I'm sitting they have a S-L-O-W Web site.
- Spell it with me, an U-G-L-Y Web site. I mean really…
Perelandra College
8697-C La Mesa Boulevard, PMB 21
La Mesa, CA 91941
Web Site: http://www.perelandracollege.com/
Founded 2002 (2008/2013).
Offers Masters of Arts in Counseling and Master of Arts in Creative Writing.
The good:
- The DETC may have found a rare gem here. Like Harrison Middleton, there really isn't another DETC offering with these types of programs available. The Master of Arts in Creative Writing looks positively fascinating.
- The school seems very centered on ethics and a value centric curriculum which as you all know, I am all about.
- The cost is $150 per credit hour for either masters degree. This may very well be the least expensive masters degree on the planet earth. Tough, tough, tough to beat.
The bad:
- At this price with these offerings and values, nothing really. If you had to get nit picky though the Web site isn't as slick as it could be.
University of Atlanta
801 Executive Park Drive, Suite 204
Mobile, AL 36606 info@uofa.edu;
http://www.uofa.edu/
Founded 1991 (2008/2013).
Offers Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Business, Social Science, Computer Science, Education and Healthcare Administration. Master of Business Administration and Executive Master of Business Administration. Concentrations in: Administration, Finance, International Business, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Management Information Systems, Computer Science, Educational Leadership and Criminal Justice.
The good:
- This looks like it is going to be a big school with a lot of offerings. They are already promising no less than three, count them, three doctoral degrees.
- The "University of Atlanta" has a pretty impressive sounding name that is not likely to even be given a second glance by the great majority of HR types out there screening resumes as it just sounds like a school everyone has heard of.
- Super slick Web site with the exception of some of the goofy grad photos. Bravo guys…
- At $350 per undergrad course and $600 per graduate course these guys offer a price point that is almost impossible to beat making the cost vs. benefit of their degree offerings ALMOST a no brainer. I can't wait to find out more about this school.
The bad:
- Things could backfire for them if they jack up the prices quickly. As of now they have the former price leader Ashworth University beat with a stick so let's hope for restraint.
- The school is called the "University of Atlanta" but located in Mobile, Alabama. Hmmm…that is a little odd.
Yorktown University, Inc.
4340 East Kentucky Avenue, Suite 457
Denver, CO 80246
http://www.yorktownuniversity.com/
Founded 2000 (2008/2013).
Offers Master of Arts in Government Completion Requirements.
The good:
- A somewhat unique offering in the Master of Arts in Government.
- An interesting newsletter which is odd for most DETC schools.
- They seem to genuinely believe what they write about on their Web site, in other words, they seem committed.
The bad:
- Ugly Web site, not quite as bad as the American Center for Conflict Resolution Institute, but close.
- One degree offering? I suppose it beats a couple of diploma courses but odd. I suppose they intend to do one thing and one thing well?
- At $250 per credit hour this is no bargain unless you must have a Government degree. At this price point there are viable regionally accredited offerings.
Well that about sums it up. Some new kids on the block for you guys to check out. I've enjoyed looking through these Web sites and I think you'll find some interesting things on them.