Question about college degree accreditation

[Obliviax]

I know a guy who is stating that he has a Ph.D. and is asking people to call him "Doctor". His Ph.D. is from Northwestern. Er, Northwestern Theological Seminary. (he typically only says "Northwestern"). When I look up the university, they state you can get your Ph.D. in 90 days and point out that it is NOT accredited. Can he use the title of Dr.?

Secondly, he needs a master's and claims he has one from Wesly Seminary. This is a 36-hour master's degree. They claim to be accredited by both the Association of Theological Schools and the Higher Learning Commission.

Are these in any way legit and comparable to a master's or doctorate from any mainstream college or university? What accreditation is common?

Thanks.

 

[psu1969a]

I know a guy who is stating that he has a Ph.D. and is asking people to call him "Doctor". His Ph.D. is from Northwestern. Er, Northwestern Theological Seminary. (he typically only says "Northwestern"). When I look up the university, they state you can get your Ph.D. in 90 days and point out that it is NOT accredited. Can he use the title of Dr.?

Secondly, he needs a master's and claims he has one from Wesly Seminary. This is a 36-hour master's degree. They claim to be accredited by both the Association of Theological Schools and the Higher Learning Commission.

Are these in any way legit and comparable to a master's or doctorate from any mainstream college or university? What accreditation is common?

Thanks.

Sounds like a couple of paper mills -- give a dollar and I'll give you a college degree of your choosing.

 

[Obliviax]

Sounds like a couple of paper mills -- give a dollar and I'll give you a college degree of your choosing.

Agreed. But I am looking for something that can be used in court. What gives the right for someone to state that they have a degree, specifically a masters or Ph.D.?

 

[psu1969a]

Agreed. But I am looking for something that can be used in court. What gives the right for someone to state that they have a degree, specifically a masters or Ph.D.?

Have no idea, let's wait for the legal beagles to chime in with their thoughts.

 

[crm114psu]

What prevents the use of "Dr. Tire", "Dr. Dre", "Dr. Money", .etc? Looks as if you can assign that title to yourself and as long as you aren't trying to practice medicine or commit fraud everything is ok.

I could change my name to have "President", "Senator" or "Lord God" in front of it, no accreditation required.

 

[NedFromYork]

Why does it bother you Obi? Start there.

 

[Obliviax]

What prevents the use of "Dr. Tire", "Dr. Dre", "Dr. Money", .etc? Looks as if you can assign that title to yourself and as long as you aren't trying to practice medicine or commit fraud everything is ok.

I could change my name to have "President", "Senator" or "Lord God" in front of it, no accreditation required.

I agree. My brother wants to change is name to "None of TheAbove" and run for President. I'll be a bit more specific as this person isn't a rapper. This person is a principal at a k~8 school. In his state, you need to have a accredited Master's degree. He has one from Wesly which claims to be credited by the Higher Learning Commission as well as a Ph.D. which is not accredited in any way.

 

[Obliviax]

Why does it bother you Obi? Start there.

This person is a principal at a K~8 school. She goes by the title Dr. but her PhD is not accredited in any way. It is literally an online degree that requires 30 hours of online training. So it is pretty bogus. But that is OK legally, as best I can define. She does need an accredited Master's degree in her state to be a principal. The Masters is from Wesly and all I can see is it is another online course and has accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. That organization seems to be legit. But this degree is also a short online degree.

So this principle fired a friend of mine, a teacher. The teacher went to her desk to gather her personal belongings. She was met at her desk by two police officers. They then announced over the loudspeaker that the school was "on lockdown" and to not leave your room until further notice. The teacher has two children in the school who watched the police officers escort her to her car. Of course, the kids freaked and the children were asked if their mom threatened to shoot up the school. It is a private school.

She is considering some kind of legal action. In a very short period of time, I looked up the guy and he seems very dubious. He has allowed people to think he got his Ph.D. from Northwestern (Think B1G) when he really got it from Northwestern Theological. This school is run out of the northwest USA but is legally located in Florida. And they state that they are not accredited by any organization affiliated with the Govt and not recognized by the state.

just trying to help a friend. But overall, in the new world of online universities, what is now a legit education and what is simply a papermill?

 

[crm114psu]

This person is a principal at a K~8 school. She goes by the title Dr. but her PhD is not accredited in any way. It is literally an online degree that requires 30 hours of online training. So it is pretty bogus. But that is OK legally, as best I can define. She does need an accredited Master's degree in her state to be a principal. The Masters is from Wesly and all I can see is it is another online course and has accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. That organization seems to be legit. But this degree is also a short online degree.

So this principle fired a friend of mine, a teacher. The teacher went to her desk to gather her personal belongings. She was met at her desk by two police officers. They then announced over the loudspeaker that the school was "on lockdown" and to not leave your room until further notice. The teacher has two children in the school who watched the police officers escort her to her car. Of course, the kids freaked and the children were asked if their mom threatened to shoot up the school. It is a private school.

She is considering some kind of legal action. In a very short period of time, I looked up the guy and he seems very dubious. He has allowed people to think he got his Ph.D. from Northwestern (Think B1G) when he really got it from Northwestern Theological. This school is run out of the northwest USA but is legally located in Florida. And they state that they are not accredited by any organization affiliated with the Govt and not recognized by the state.

just trying to help a friend. But overall, in the new world of online universities, what is now a legit education and what is simply a papermill?

Don't think you can help much. You can't seem to determine if this person is male or female.

 

[Obliviax]

Don't think you can help much. You can't seem to determine if this person is male or female.

What is a woman anyway? "the guy" is the principle who fired "that woman".

You need another cup of coffee...or to switch to decaf.

 

[fastlax16]

Don't think you can help much. You can't seem to determine if this person is male or female.

To throw you off the scent. The friend should talk to a real lawyer.

 

[fastlax16]

What is a woman anyway? "the guy" is the principle who fired "that woman".

You need another cup of coffee...or to switch to decaf.

This person is a principal at a K~8 school. She goes by the title Dr. but her PhD is not accredited in any way. It is literally an online degree that requires 30 hours of online training. So it is pretty bogus. But that is OK legally, as best I can define. She does need an accredited Master's degree in her state to be a principal. The Masters is from Wesly and all I can see is it is another online course and has accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. That organization seems to be legit. But this degree is also a short online degree.


She is considering some kind of legal action. In a very short period of time, I looked up the guy and he seems very dubious. He has allowed people to think he got his Ph.D. from Northwestern (Think B1G) when he really got it from Northwestern Theological.

 

[Obliviax]

To throw you off the scent. The friend should talk to a real lawyer.

..that is the problem with lawyers. They think they know everything and they do not.

There is certainly a legal aspect to this. But as a private school, the risk of being exposed is far more lucrative. In her state they have the "right to work" contract. So only a violation of her constitutional rights is available for redress....legally. But if you can embarrass the school and/or individual, you will have far greater success.

Regardless, it is a simple question. What is a legit degree today and what is not?

I don't know why everyone has to be so snarky.

 

[crm114psu]

..that is the problem with lawyers. They think they know everything and they do not.

There is certainly a legal aspect to this. But as a private school, the risk of being exposed is far more lucrative. In her state they have the "right to work" contract. So only a violation of her constitutional rights is available for redress....legally. But if you can embarrass the school and/or individual, you will have far greater success.

Regardless, it is a simple question. What is a legit degree today and what is not?

I don't know why everyone has to be so snarky.

Because there is no way of knowing if you are even looking at data about the same person, is the principal a "she" or "he". You can't seem to figure it out.

 

[Obliviax]

Because there is no way of knowing if you are even looking at data about the same person, is the principal a "she" or "he". You can't seem to figure it out.

on ignore you go! it is a simple question about university/degree accreditation

 

[bison13]

Working in private schools makes the matter interesting but the school should still have in by laws or something that states administration must be certified in some capacity. Check who the school is accredited through and see what they say.

I would say its a bogus degree and they should be removed but I've also see those same people with fake degrees be allowed to teach in public schools

 

[fastlax16]

..that is the problem with lawyers. They think they know everything and they do not.

There is certainly a legal aspect to this. But as a private school, the risk of being exposed is far more lucrative. In her state they have the "right to work" contract. So only a violation of her constitutional rights is available for redress....legally. But if you can embarrass the school and/or individual, you will have far greater success.

Regardless, it is a simple question. What is a legit degree today and what is not?

I don't know why everyone has to be so snarky.

If her goal is simply blackmailing or launching a smear campaign against her old boss she should just take the high road and move on with her life. Maybe work it out with a therapist.

What was your friend even fired for?

 

[Lion_Backer]

Northwestern University considers the diploma to be a ceremonial document. As such, the University recommends that alumni or those seeking to verify alumni credentials, request official transcripts or degree verifications to verify a degree completion.

Has anyone inquired with Northwestern's Registrar Office regarding the authenticity of a Degree from Northwestern?

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

I know a guy who is stating that he has a Ph.D. and is asking people to call him "Doctor". His Ph.D. is from Northwestern. Er, Northwestern Theological Seminary. (he typically only says "Northwestern"). When I look up the university, they state you can get your Ph.D. in 90 days and point out that it is NOT accredited. Can he use the title of Dr.?

Secondly, he needs a master's and claims he has one from Wesly Seminary. This is a 36-hour master's degree. They claim to be accredited by both the Association of Theological Schools and the Higher Learning Commission.

Are these in any way legit and comparable to a master's or doctorate from any mainstream college or university? What accreditation is common?

Thanks.

It sounds like a legitimate Tennessee state legislator, not kind of any legitimate doctor. Or maybe he's a legitimate doctor of proctology. LOL

 

[The Spin Meister]

Sad case. Sad to see how corrupt our society has become.

As a private school, do they have public board meetings? Do they have board meetings that parents of student can attend? Or do they have a parent’s organization? It is probably likely that the parent can raise enough hell to,get this phony fired.Bring all the evidence that this a paper mill,certificate, not any accredited degree.

I would imagine that Ohio state laws state the the qualifications of a master or doctorate must be from an accredited school of education. And state laws also likely set such qualifications that private schools must follow. If so, the principal can and should be fired.


You don’t give any reason for your friend’s dismissal. If it was for cause and that cause is justified she has no case but could raise enough hell to get the principal removed and some revenge. If she feels there wasn’t just cause she could sue both the principal and the school. The principal for wrongful dismissal and the school for incompetence and not doing their due diligence. And a violation of the fiduciary responsibilities.

She could also ask for damages that she and her children suffered. Professional damages. Psychological damages. All that good stuff.

And as a private school she is probably not protected by a union contract or would get union representation. Her employment contract may have procedural guidelines for disciplinary actions that must be followed.

Bad situation. She is out of a job. Her young children were tramitized and will probably be moved to a new school…not easy mid term for young kids.

 

[Obliviax]

Sad case. Sad to see how corrupt our society has become.

As a private school, do they have public board meetings? Do they have board meetings that parents of student can attend? Or do they have a parent’s organization? It is probably likely that the parent can raise enough hell to,get this phony fired.Bring all the evidence that this a paper mill,certificate, not any accredited degree.

I would imagine that Ohio state laws state the the qualifications of a master or doctorate must be from an accredited school of education. And state laws also likely set such qualifications that private schools must follow. If so, the principal can and should be fired.


You don’t give any reason for your friend’s dismissal. If it was for cause and that cause is justified she has no case but could raise enough hell to get the principal removed and some revenge. If she feels there wasn’t just cause she could sue both the principal and the school. The principal for wrongful dismissal and the school for incompetence and not doing their due diligence. And a violation of the fiduciary responsibilities.

She could also ask for damages that she and her children suffered. Professional damages. Psychological damages. All that good stuff.

And as a private school she is probably not protected by a union contract or would get union representation. Her employment contract may have procedural guidelines for disciplinary actions that must be followed.

Bad situation. She is out of a job. Her young children were tramitized and will probably be moved to a new school…not easy mid term for young kids.

Great comments. And, you are correct, I only have one side of the story. But assuming his/her story is close to correct, the rest is pretty crapy.

It appears the principal has a master's from an accredited university (Wesly Seminary). my research shows that Wesly is accredited by the Higher Learning Council. I looked for 20 PA universities and only found one that is also accredited by this organization (Westminster). The state he/she is in requires a master's from an accredited school but doesn't seem to define "accredited". Plus, this person is running around using the title "Dr." form an online shool that requires just 30 hours of work and make a note of the fact that they don't seek nor are they accredited by any govt recognized organization.

So to a previous poster's point, it looks like Dr. Dre and Dr. Bill Cosby would both qualify.

That leads me back to the basic point, what is a degree? How is it quantified? Can I now just go print off a certificate and call myself smart and educated? Seems we need to do better than that.

 

[The Spin Meister]

Great comments. And, you are correct, I only have one side of the story. But assuming his/her story is close to correct, the rest is pretty crapy.

It appears the principal has a master's from an accredited university (Wesly Seminary). my research shows that Wesly is accredited by the Higher Learning Council. I looked for 20 PA universities and only found one that is also accredited by this organization (Westminster). The state he/she is in requires a master's from an accredited school but doesn't seem to define "accredited". Plus, this person is running around using the title "Dr." form an online shool that requires just 30 hours of work and make a note of the fact that they don't seek nor are they accredited by any govt recognized organization.

So to a previous poster's point, it looks like Dr. Dre and Dr. Bill Cosby would both qualify.

That leads me back to the basic point, what is a degree? How is it quantified? Can I now just go print off a certificate and call myself smart and educated? Seems we need to do better than that.

Could be that the Higher Learning Council is the accrediting agency for church affiliated schools.

Cosby was awarded an honorary doctorate. Dr Dre would not get an professional position requiring a degree. Unless he actually has a doctorate🤷🏾‍♂️

 

[Obliviax]

Could be that the Higher Learning Council is the accrediting agency for church affiliated schools.

Cosby was awarded an honorary doctorate. Dr Dre would not get an professional position requiring a degree. Unless he actually has a doctorate🤷🏾‍♂️

I found this. I don't see any of the two colleges claimed (Wesly or Northwestern Theological Seminary).

DAPIP

ope.ed.gov

 

[91Joe95]

This person is a principal at a K~8 school. She goes by the title Dr. but her PhD is not accredited in any way. It is literally an online degree that requires 30 hours of online training. So it is pretty bogus. But that is OK legally, as best I can define. She does need an accredited Master's degree in her state to be a principal. The Masters is from Wesly and all I can see is it is another online course and has accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. That organization seems to be legit. But this degree is also a short online degree.

So this principle fired a friend of mine, a teacher. The teacher went to her desk to gather her personal belongings. She was met at her desk by two police officers. They then announced over the loudspeaker that the school was "on lockdown" and to not leave your room until further notice. The teacher has two children in the school who watched the police officers escort her to her car. Of course, the kids freaked and the children were asked if their mom threatened to shoot up the school. It is a private school.

She is considering some kind of legal action. In a very short period of time, I looked up the guy and he seems very dubious. He has allowed people to think he got his Ph.D. from Northwestern (Think B1G) when he really got it from Northwestern Theological. This school is run out of the northwest USA but is legally located in Florida. And they state that they are not accredited by any organization affiliated with the Govt and not recognized by the state.

just trying to help a friend. But overall, in the new world of online universities, what is now a legit education and what is simply a papermill?

Start with state law on accreditation requirements. Then you can see if her degrees meet the requirements, although if you don't have access to official transcripts you're probably SOL. If they don't the school has a problem.

 

[The Spin Meister]

Use AI to go through the doctorial thesis. Bet half is plagiarized!

 

[tboyer]

This person is a principal at a K~8 school. She goes by the title Dr. but her PhD is not accredited in any way. It is literally an online degree that requires 30 hours of online training. So it is pretty bogus. But that is OK legally, as best I can define. She does need an accredited Master's degree in her state to be a principal. The Masters is from Wesly and all I can see is it is another online course and has accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. That organization seems to be legit. But this degree is also a short online degree.

So this principle fired a friend of mine, a teacher. The teacher went to her desk to gather her personal belongings. She was met at her desk by two police officers. They then announced over the loudspeaker that the school was "on lockdown" and to not leave your room until further notice. The teacher has two children in the school who watched the police officers escort her to her car. Of course, the kids freaked and the children were asked if their mom threatened to shoot up the school. It is a private school.

She is considering some kind of legal action. In a very short period of time, I looked up the guy and he seems very dubious. He has allowed people to think he got his Ph.D. from Northwestern (Think B1G) when he really got it from Northwestern Theological. This school is run out of the northwest USA but is legally located in Florida. And they state that they are not accredited by any organization affiliated with the Govt and not recognized by the state.

just trying to help a friend. But overall, in the new world of online universities, what is now a legit education and what is simply a papermill?

Call the state ed. department or talk to someone from an education department of a reputable college in your area. If the state requires a masters, it probably requires a masters from a properly accredited graduate program. All of the diploma mills claim accreditation but it's from diploma-mill accrediting agencies (which always have highly reputable sounding names but they are what they are)

One you have your ducks in a row, find a friendly school board member.

 

[LMTLION]

I’m called Dr. love, but I never went to school for that degree.

 

[The Spin Meister]

I’m called Dr. love, but I never went to school for that degree.

Another phony faker!

 

[diontechristmas]

They are fake. I read about a scandal in California where govt. workers were getting completely fabricated graduate degrees conferred from such a place that just handed out degrees with no classes or assessment. Somehow, the state didn’t due any diligence and was just automatically accepting the degrees, and govt workers wee getting automatic pay raises as a result.

Personally, I call medical doctors “Doctor” but no one else.

 

[Lion_Backer]

I’m called Dr. love, but I never went to school for that degree.

 

[PSU2UNC]

I know a guy who is stating that he has a Ph.D. and is asking people to call him "Doctor". His Ph.D. is from Northwestern. Er, Northwestern Theological Seminary. (he typically only says "Northwestern"). When I look up the university, they state you can get your Ph.D. in 90 days and point out that it is NOT accredited. Can he use the title of Dr.?

Secondly, he needs a master's and claims he has one from Wesly Seminary. This is a 36-hour master's degree. They claim to be accredited by both the Association of Theological Schools and the Higher Learning Commission.

Are these in any way legit and comparable to a master's or doctorate from any mainstream college or university? What accreditation is common?

Thanks.

It does not sound like these are accedited degree programs. If that is the case, they do not meet the requirements for a job that requires a masters or a PhD.

People can call themselves whatever they want (as a PhD, it is correct when being formal to use Dr, but I never tell anyone to call me that) but if you are talking about job qualifications that is another story.

I'd also question how relgious degrees (accedited or not) qualify this person to be a principal in secondary education but that's a separate question.

 

[PurposePitch]

This person is a principal at a K~8 school. She goes by the title Dr. but her PhD is not accredited in any way. It is literally an online degree that requires 30 hours of online training. So it is pretty bogus. But that is OK legally, as best I can define. She does need an accredited Master's degree in her state to be a principal. The Masters is from Wesly and all I can see is it is another online course and has accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. That organization seems to be legit. But this degree is also a short online degree.

...

More concerning is how this person changed their gender DURING your post:

In a very short period of time, I looked up the guy and he seems very dubious. He has allowed people to think he got his Ph.D. from Northwestern (Think B1G) when he really got it from Northwestern Theological. This school is run out of the northwest USA but is legally located in Florida. And they state that they are not accredited by any organization affiliated with the Govt and not recognized by the state.

I bet he/she got his/her law degree from Dartmouth Law School, too/to/two.

 

[wilbury]

An engineer can't even apply to take the exam without a degree from an ABET accredited university so I'd say that if their university isn't accredited you can pretty much disregard the degree.

 

[fastlax16]

I'd also question how relgious degrees (accedited or not) qualify this person to be a principal in secondary education but that's a separate question.

It's a private school, good chance it is run by a religious institute.

 

[87 Penn St8]

Working in private schools makes the matter interesting but the school should still have in by laws or something that states administration must be certified in some capacity. Check who the school is accredited through and see what they say.

I would say its a bogus degree and they should be removed but I've also see those same people with fake degrees be allowed to teach in public schools

The use of Dr. for accredited educators with the appropriate degree at the college level doesn't bother me. As a public high school teacher who works with "Doctors" who are no smarter than most staff I detest the term- pure puffery. As an adjunct at St. Joe's I always corrected kids who called me Doctor. I wasn't.

Credit the Principal for the Northwestern scam- sometimes supposedly intelligent people are so dumb. Had an obnoxious student last year who transferred into our school after spending his life in Boarding Schools. Told me his dad "graduated from Harvard." When I questioned more deeply he eventually said it was a certificate program "but he is smarter b/c he didn't have to pay for Undergrad and still gets to impress people with the name." Total poser. Anyone who went to Harvard would call Bullshit. No shade on a certificate program...but they are NOT the same.

Your friend may or may not have deserved to be relieved of her duties. Unfortunately the adults in schools are often as bad as the kids. The way that was handled seems over the top. Unless the school is very religious- and these theological "degrees" are indeed respected- then call her out publicly with a letter to the editor of your local paper/blog/news source- maybe not directly- but so that everyone understands the context and let the general public make the call.

I mistakenly once got an internship because the boss thought PSU was "Penn." It wasn't until he introduced me to someone at a lunch my first week that I figured it out and came clean. That ended up being my first job after graduation- but I shared an office with a guy who did graduate from Penn...so the Partner got his Ivy boy too.

Good luck- while it may seem petty- it likely reveals an insecurity with the Principal which may be the root of deeper mismanagement. If they have a purple Northwestern window cling in their car window that will be the kiss of death.

 

[PaoliLion]

I know a guy who is stating that he has a Ph.D. and is asking people to call him "Doctor". His Ph.D. is from Northwestern. Er, Northwestern Theological Seminary. (he typically only says "Northwestern"). When I look up the university, they state you can get your Ph.D. in 90 days and point out that it is NOT accredited. Can he use the title of Dr.?

Secondly, he needs a master's and claims he has one from Wesly Seminary. This is a 36-hour master's degree. They claim to be accredited by both the Association of Theological Schools and the Higher Learning Commission.

Are these in any way legit and comparable to a master's or doctorate from any mainstream college or university? What accreditation is common?

Thanks.

Yikes, find a new job.

 

[Obliviax]

Yikes, find a new job.

It’s actually more about the kids

 

[joeaubie21]

At one time, a Penn State degree and you could name your job and salary.

Our crap eating BoT ruined all that with the political hit on Joe and Spanier.

 

[Lion84]

At one time, a Penn State degree and you could name your job and salary.

Our crap eating BoT ruined all that with the political hit on Joe and Spanier.

Exaggerate much?

 

[joeaubie21]

Exaggerate much?

Not at all.