| Revision as of 20:03, 3 February 2006 edit199.227.66.66 (talk) KWU is by far NOT a Diploma Mill← Previous edit | Revision as of 15:41, 5 February 2006 edit undoMackensen (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Administrators125,043 edits rm personal statementNext edit → | ||
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| I am currently a student at Kennedy Western University, pursuing my PhD in Health Administration. To say that this University is a Diploma Mill is bias and untrue. Prior to my acceptance into the PhD program, I had to submit my Bachelor's and Master's Degrees. My Bachelor's is from Old Dominion University and my Master's is from the University of Florida. These are both very traditional schools, where a student attends class, takes exams, writes papers, and receives a grade, then after 4 years for the Bachelors level, if he/she has successfully obtained the appropriate number of semester hours is awarded a Degree in the speciality field. My Master's Degree took me 4 years to complete, as I was working Full Time and had to devote my evenings to school. I had to complete a Thesis as part of the required work. | |||
| At Kennedy Western University, I have had to take several classes, none of which were "easy." The examinations were procters exams, and it took me the full 3 hours allotted to answer the questions (all Essay and discussion). The Professors do not let you slide by, they make sure you have answered the question completely. I must complete a Dissertation as part of the requirements to receive my PhD. This Dissertation is then submitted to a group of individuals you complete an Editoral Review of the document, ensuring that the work is original, and that all sources are cited correctly, and that the proper APA format has been followed. I was required to make revisions in my proposal -- a classic example of not letting one slide. If KWU were a diploma mill, my proposal would have been approved the same day I submitted it. | |||
| I chose KWU because I could complete my PhD at MY PACE. I work full time, plus teach at a University at night. Therefore, this non-traditional education was the perfect way for me to complete a degree that I have always wanted. Many non-traditional schools are being started, and many are accredited. My search of a school to attend lead me to KWU because it did not require me to complete 3 trips of "residency" programs, which all other schools required. Yes, KWU did give me some credit for my experience -- as I have had about 40 years in my chosen field, but they DID NOT GIVE ME MY DEGREE. When I receive the degree, I WILL HAVE EARNED IT. | |||
| Thomas S. Burrell | |||
| '''Kennedy-Western University''' is a ] that offers degrees through the ] level, its major areas of study being in ]. | '''Kennedy-Western University''' is a ] that offers degrees through the ] level, its major areas of study being in ]. | ||
Revision as of 15:41, 5 February 2006
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Kennedy-Western University is a correspondence school that offers degrees through the Ph.D. level, its major areas of study being in engineering.
It is unaccredited but licensed by the State of Wyoming. It was established in 1984.
Diploma Mill allegations and counter arguments
Critics have charged that Kennedy-Western University is a diploma mill, a charge the school denies. The term "diploma mill" refers to an institution which requires little or no work on the part of the student. Kennedy-Western officials state that thier institution, by contrast, does require students to undergo extensive work and then to take exams, usually online.
Kennedy-Western University was one of the unaccredited schools figuring in the hearings of the U.S. Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs on May 11 and 12, 2004. A former employee, Andrew Coulombe, testifying to the committee, described his feeling that his work there was unethical and summarized it thus: "I can tell you that there is no value to a Kennedy-Western education. Anything you learn there can be learned by buying a book and reading it on your own." This is of course true of many Universities, so not a reliable source of information. Critics claim that this employee was at odds with KWU.
It is no longer characterized as a diploma mill in the list of unaccredited institutions of the (ODA)Office of Degree Authorization of the state of Oregon. It may no longer be classified as a diploma mill in Oregon because this University successfully sued the ODA on constitutional grounds. It is listed as an unaccredited institution.
The State of Oregon made an unsuccessful attempt to make it unlawful for graduates to list Kennedy-Western on resumes. The State was sued by Kennedy-Western and after a settlement the prohibition was dropped.
"We clearly believe that we are not a diploma mill and have an academically rigorous program," said David Gering, Kennedy-Western's director of corporate communications. "And if you ask our students and alumni, they would agree."
External links
- Kennedy-Western University, official website