kcdpas:

I spoke with Beth(an admission counselor at AU) yesterday. I asked her about RA and she said AU is in process to obtain accreditation from regional accreditation agency, and it is a long process. I did not have chance to ask her when they could get the RA.

Regional accreditation is a long enough and uncertain enough process that even if she's telling the truth and things go as they hope that they still may well not have it by the time you graduate.

I'd advise against this impacting your decision.

-=Steve=- 

Thanks! From the readings I have done so far, Aspen has decent reputation among students. I want to discuss it with HR see how they think about AU before sign up. If they do, I will sign up in fall, the two year program will be at no cost to me (company pays 2k year). That would be good to my wallet, and I only need to invest 20 hours a week.  

I cannot stress enough that you speak with an HR person who knows their business.  I'm not trying to be rude or anything, but I have run accross a metric TON of HR people who are completely clueless when it comes to colleges, accreditation, etc.  I cannot blame them, it's a hard thing to figure out, but when it's your JOB to know you should know.  Either way, take their advisement with a grain of salt.  If you approach the coversation with DETC being an "alternative" accreditation you are likely to color their answer before they have time to think about it.  Then again if you present it as the same as all others they may over look something.  I would instead ask them how they determine whether a school is accredited or not.  I've seen lots of employers that simply look it up on the USDOE's website and still others have a big catalogue put out by the USDOE to see if the school is listed.  Still others use AACSB as a standard or IEEE or (rarely) AACSB or ACBSP.  Most often however I see the big black book come out, USDOE...

I'll go one better -- I've run into plenty of people who work in higher education in positions where they really ought to understand how accreditation works who wouldn't know how to answer you.

-=Steve=- 

Today, I spoke with a admin couselor at AU, and she confirmed that again. The nursing program accreditation first then RA, it is a couple years out due to the process is time consuming. I post the same comment twice now. It seems to be a good news to share if it is true.

Cajun:

News to me as well.  I personally wouldn't hesitate on Aspen's program if the price was right, the curiculum fit my desires and the degree got me to where I want to be, such as working in IT.  DETC accreditation seems to be sufficient for most employment purposes that I have run into, especially in IT because of so few qualified candidates for certain technical levels and skills.  If you are looking at the MSIT program, do you mind me asking what you intend on doing with that degree?

 You also have to look at the cost vs. benefits of the degree.  Back when Aspen was $4,500 for an MS degree the cost vs. benefit of the degree was fairly obviously in high favor on the side of benefit.  If however they jump to $250 a credit hour, then you have many other possibly better alternatives.

I am already a IT Technical Analyst II at a large healthcare company. I feel a 4 year BS from UoP campus program (company paid the tuition) is not good enough for me. What I am looking for is to advance my career and may be get into management. IT industry are different, I have seen few managers in my company who does not hold a BS degree and likely they can never move up any more. All directors, close to 60% have a master or above. Some are MD's. I think a MSIT will make me stand a little taller than the others. May be it can boost my career.  

Does eLearner.com allow post email or chat logs? I could share the chat session I had with AU representative.

by MD do you mean "MD" or doctoral degrees such as a PhD or a DBA?  MD usually stands for "Medical Doctor"

 

If that is the case and you are using the degree to break through the glass ceiling, I recommend you at least get a degree from a regionally accredited school so as not to have to worry about it becoming an issue later if for nothing else then peace of mind.  Aspen is no longer offering their $4,500 tuition which would have had a good risk to potential profit and return on investment but at their current price there are much cheaper MBA programs out there which will suit your needs.  A good start would be Amberton University, Chadron State College or American Public University.

 
As long as the email does not contain private information, disclose anyones details or otherwise violate the rules of the forum you can post it, though I would edit it for content and remove any names and email addresses, etc.

 

kcdpas:

I am already a IT Technical Analyst II at a large healthcare company. I feel a 4 year BS from UoP campus program (company paid the tuition) is not good enough for me. What I am looking for is to advance my career and may be get into management. IT industry are different, I have seen few managers in my company who does not hold a BS degree and likely they can never move up any more. All directors, close to 60% have a master or above. Some are MD's. I think a MSIT will make me stand a little taller than the others. May be it can boost my career.  

I assume that some of the decision makers hold medical doctorates because it's a healthcare company?

Anyway, since you're talking about advancing your career within your own company, I'd suggest you ask the people whose observations are most likely really to help you -- those who hold the positions you aspire to have, and decision makers in the HR/Personnel department.  They're best placed to guide you in the right direction.

Good luck,

-=Steve=- 

Cajun:

by MD do you mean "MD" or doctoral degrees such as a PhD or a DBA?  MD usually stands for "Medical Doctor"

 

If that is the case and you are using the degree to break through the glass ceiling, I recommend you at least get a degree from a regionally accredited school so as not to have to worry about it becoming an issue later if for nothing else then peace of mind.  Aspen is no longer offering their $4,500 tuition which would have had a good risk to potential profit and return on investment but at their current price there are much cheaper MBA programs out there which will suit your needs.  A good start would be Amberton University, Chadron State College or American Public University.

As long as the email does not contain private information, disclose anyones details or otherwise violate the rules of the forum you can post it, though I would edit it for content and remove any names and email addresses, etc.

 

Yes, they are medical doctors, pharmacists, nurses and they also practice medicine in clinics and hospitals. there are big push to get electronic medical records going in the healthcare industry due to HIPAA which pass the congress in the late 90's.

I have looked at Amberton and Chadron state and their tuition is a lot higher than discounted AU. I belief AU still do and the total cost after discount is under 6K which not include books, class materials and other fees which is quite reasonable. I will look up APU tonight and see what they could offer.

Thanks for your input. I will edit the chat log and remove any thing privat then put it up here this week end.

 

Good suggestion. I think if they sign off the tuition assistant petition for AU, that's should be a good sgn, agree?

kcdpas:

Good suggestion. I think if they sign off the tuition assistant petition for AU, that's should be a good sgn, agree?

It's not a bad sign, but I would ask them directly what program would best position you for the specific career advance you want within that company.  That way you're not guessing, and you're opening up the idea that this is a goal of yours.  If they know that, you never know what information you may get or what opportunities toward which they may be able to steer you.

-=Steve=- 

Good advice, Steve. You are a pro:).