IICTS DQed by BBB

[Armando Ramos]

The International Institute for Counterterrorism Studies (IICTS), home of the intriguing $750 "beta" masters degree, has been disqualified by the Better Business Bureau of the Southwest for failing to answer a complaint.

As of November 16, 2009, the following companies have failed to respond to one or more recent customer complaints presented by the BBB.  These complaints are reported to inquirers for three years or until the firm responds, in writing, to the complaints.  Unanswered complaints disqualify a firm from BBB accreditation.
...
International Institute for Counterterrorism Studies Inc.
4801 Lang NE; Suite 110
Albuquerque, NM 87109

http://www.enewsbuilder.net/bbbnm/e_arti...?x=b11,0,w

BBB now gives IICTS an "F" rating.

We strongly question the company’s reliability for reasons such as that they have failed to respond to complaints, their advertising is grossly misleading, they are not in compliance with the law’s licensing or registration requirements, their complaints contain especially serious allegations, or the company’s industry is known for its fraudulent business practices.

http://www.newmexicoandsouthwestcolorado...c-99128944

Apparently their license to operate in New Mexico expired in 2008, and they seem to be "in transition."   That may mean they are just relocating elsewhere or that they are down for the count.  The fact that people are complaining about them to the BBB and getting no response tends to sound more like the latter, although there is no indication of the exact nature of the complaint (i.e., whether it was student related or not).

We like to see these kinds of innovative programs, and the price certainly was right.  Sad to see that they seem to be departing from the scene and leaving a bit of wreckage behind.  

[Dennis Ruhl]

Canned reply Oct 29/08:

Hi Everyone! Well, we are about to start a year of hectic work. We are currently transferring over to a new management team and many of our current managers are deploying to various areas to practice their trade of counterterrorism. The new team is coming on board right now old team heading to Iraq, Afghanistan and other exotic areas! Our servers are currently down and in transit to the new team. Our head office will still be in Albuquerque, NM, but our student services and records will be transferring to new locations. If you do not get a hold of us, please DO NOT WORRY. Degrees are still being printed and going out and we are still receiving assignments by mail and email. If you are interested in the Beta programs, enroll now as we are about to stop enrollment very soon. Thanks! IICTS Mgt Team

Seemed like a lot of BS to me. I liked the idea of a $750.00 msters program but they scared me off.

Real reply Oct 29/08:

Sorry Dennis, the Beta course is not course based, but material based,
creating courses from raw material, so there is no formal syllabus. Our
traditional MS program is course based.

I would suggest American Military University or Norwich university for some
really good MS programs...

Thanks for your interest.

Lidia
IICTS Registrar

[Don Dresden]

Sorry Dennis, the Beta course is not course based, but material based, creating courses from raw material, so there is no formal syllabus. Our traditional MS program is course based.

I would suggest American Military University or Norwich university for some really good MS programs...

Thanks for your interest.

Lidia
IICTS Registrar

Kind of a strange duality there.  On one hand, you can appreciate her apparent candor.  She seems to be saying that if you want a "really good" program, this ain't it.  

On the other, WTF?  "creating courses from raw material"?  Seems like instead of paying somebody to develop courses they have the students do it, and charge them for the honor.  Who is running this place, Tom Sawyer?

Sounds like the kind of thing Klempner would devise.  "Edit my book for free and I'll mention your name in the forward.  The problem with paying you money is that you will just spend it and then, poof!  It's gone.  But this, my friend, this will live forever."

[jimmmarks]

Is this really true? $750 for master degree?

[Winston Smith]

Is this really true? $750 for master degree?

As you surely know from reading the other posts, no.  Want to tell us about the cheap tennis shoes and crank pills now?