FREE: World Education University - Printable Version +- DL Truth: Distance Learning Truth (http://www.dltruth.com) +-- Forum: Discussion (http://www.dltruth.com/forum-6.html) +--- Forum: Distance Learning Discussion (http://www.dltruth.com/forum-8.html) +--- Thread: FREE: World Education University (/thread-1654.html) Pages:
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FREE: World Education University - Herbert Spencer - 03-12-2013 Price is right, but there is a catch. You must promise to do good work with your educaton. But you were going to do that anyway, right? Quote:March 11th, 2013 RE: FREE: World Education University - Albert Hidel - 03-14-2013 What's not to like about this? They claim they are authorized to operate as a degree granting institution but don't state by whom. They claim exemption from the CPPSA, but don't state the basis for the exemption: Quote:WEU is authorized to operate as a degree granting institution of higher education and is exempt from the California Private Post-Secondary Act of 2009.http://www.theweu.com/about-weu/ Possibly section (a), which provides: "An institution that offers solely avocational or recreational educational programs." None of the others seem applicable. Section (f) provides: "An institution that does not award degrees and that solely provides educational programs for total charges of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) or less...." Obviously free is less than $2,500, but they do award degrees. Quote:Degrees & Programshttp://www.theweu.com/degrees-programs/ This article states the degrees are granted through exams at Excelsior, but there seems to be little correlation with the degrees stated to be available at Excelsior: Quote:The university operates as a degree-granting university through third-party evaluations and exams at Excelsior College in Albany, New York that range from $40 to $400.http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/on_innovation/2012/12/world_education_university_disrupts_the_cost_of_higher_education.html Seems like "free" may not be entirely accurate, as there might be a charge for the exams even if not for the tuition. Still, a very good deal--if it's a legit program. Any education junkies want to sign up and let us know how this thing works in real life? RE: FREE: World Education University - WilliamW - 03-14-2013 (03-14-2013, 02:05 AM)Albert Hidel Wrote: What's not to like about this? Scott Hines, WEU COO = $3 bill Although in California that's probably a big plus for somebody trying to keep predatory regulatory agencies at bay. I was kind of expecting the diners to do a mass spit take when he made his big "I'm gay!" announcement. But apparently this was a meeting of the Old Homos Lunch Club. "Make that protheth a thmooooth one...." RE: FREE: World Education University - Albert Hidel - 03-14-2013 (03-14-2013, 04:08 AM)WilliamW Wrote: Scott Hines, WEU COO = $3 bill Nice catch, WmW. An interesting dichotomy. On one hand it's hard to beat "free," even with fees for exams. On the other, if it's not accredited you really are relying on the ability of the admin to establish and maintain any sort of credibility. And in this case, the Chief Operations Officer is an admitted sexual deviant and a self-described "liar." So much for credibility. Although those qualities undoubtedly serve him well as a politician. (03-14-2013, 04:08 AM)WilliamW Wrote: Although in California that's probably a big plus for somebody trying to keep predatory regulatory agencies at bay. Or a self-appointed degree mill "expert," or degreeinfo moderator. RE: FREE: World Education University - justinreeve - 03-14-2013 (03-14-2013, 02:05 AM)Albert Hidel Wrote: Seems like "free" may not be entirely accurate, as there might be a charge for the exams even if not for the tuition. Still, a very good deal--if it's a legit program. Any education junkies want to sign up and let us know how this thing works in real life? As a forewarning, I'm not an official representative of WEU, but I've been working as a contractor for them since December. I'd encourage anyone to contact WEU if they have questions, since that would be a more reliable source, but I'd like to share some of what I know about the school anyway. I have a background in education and educational technology, and they approached me to help them out, particularly with the learning management system. WEU has been awarded degree-granting status in the state of California. The exams are not admitted [solely] through Excelsior. WEU formed a partnership with Excelsior, and students can optionally take these exams to earn college credit from an accredited institution. These would be roughly equivalent to CLEP tests in other colleges. WEU also has its own courses with its own faculty and its own exams, and these are completely free. Since WEU just barely launched, it does not have national or regional accreditation status yet, but they are aggressively pursuing and working on fulfilling the requirements. I'm confident it's just a matter of time before this happens. I agree, the accreditation status may be something of an impediment until it's resolved, but this isn't always true. In the U.S., for certain disciplines, yes, accreditation is a big deal. In other countries, especially developing countries, it's not. It's been overwhelming the feedback we've received from people in places like Thailand or Saudi Arabia or Malaysia, grateful for the opportunity to learn and finally have a chance to work on a degree. As far as they're concerned, a degree from an American university, regardless of its status, proves you're educated, and that you speak English. I think that alone can elevate someone to a higher status in a developing society. I think it's an exciting organization with ultimately philanthropic goals, and an admirably dedicated team I've had the pleasure to work with these past few months. WEU is continually expanding its course selection and bringing new ones online, and adding new features to its system. I'm glad to have had a small part in it. Blog: http://blog.wsd.net/jreeve Twitter: http://twitter.com/justinreeve LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/justinreeve RE: FREE: World Education University - Armando Ramos - 03-14-2013 (03-14-2013, 02:45 PM)justinreeve Wrote: WEU has been awarded degree-granting status in the state of California. What is the factual basis for the above statement? The BPPE's approved-institutions search page has no record for 'World Education University'. They list five schools with the word "world" in the name and none of them is WEU. They list three schools in Rancho Mirage, none of which is WEU. https://app.dca.ca.gov/bppe/default.asp Perhaps you can explain why a school that purports to have degree-granting status in California is not be listed in the official state records of degree-granting institutions. RE: FREE: World Education University - justinreeve - 03-14-2013 (03-14-2013, 04:31 PM)Armando Ramos Wrote:(03-14-2013, 02:45 PM)justinreeve Wrote: WEU has been awarded degree-granting status in the state of California. No idea. I thought I read that in one of the news releases: http://www.theweu.com/in-the-news/ But after scanning through them, I'm seeing they've consistently said they're working toward degree-granting status. For further clarification, you'd obviously want to contact WEU. RE: FREE: World Education University - Martin Eisenstadt - 03-14-2013 (03-14-2013, 11:33 PM)justinreeve Wrote: ...I'm seeing they've consistently said they're working toward degree-granting status. No, that is not true. They are consistently saying they have been awarded degree-granting status in California. E.g.: Quote:WEU is authorized to operate as a degree granting institution of higher education and is exempt from the California Private Post-Secondary Act of 2009.http://www.theweu.com/about-weu/ This would appear to be a false statement. As much as we like to see new players in the marketplace and innovation in education, we dislike people who aren't truthful. If they aren't forthcoming about basic and easily verifiable facts, what else are they misrepresenting? If I were you I would take those paychecks to the drawer's bank and cash them, rather than deposit them and wait for them to clear. You might be in for an unpleasant surprise otherwise. Understand the difference between a team player and a kamikaze. RE: FREE: World Education University - Virtual Bison - 04-10-2013 I find this interesting. I will look into this a bit more. No PHD programs yet. RE: FREE: World Education University - bigfoot - 04-12-2013 Seems to me that this "entity"...may be flying around by the seat of their pants in cyberspace!.... Oopsy-Daisy!...If it looks like a degree mill, talks like a degree mill, and sounds like a degree mill...guess what?...You betcha, (in the immortal words of my favorite Alaskan Sarah Palin)... these guys need some "oversight"...no RA, no "state approval" or licensure...that smells bad....Sure, the idea that they want to provide "FREE" degree programs to qualified, hungry students sounds noble, virtuous and probably to good to be true!...These things usually are...be that as it may...as it stands right now, it's a little hard to take these 2 guys seriously...as well as the cyber-school, that seems more ghost-like and ethereal by the day... |