Dear All
As I was still concerned over the answers given to the original post. I recently wrote twice to the State of Hawaii to find out the real truth of AIU this was the question I posed and the reply that I received
Question(first email)
Dear Sir/Madam
I thank you for your attention of this matter. I would ask you to
Assist me through addressing one or two questions in respect of the
Above named University and their non-accreditation status .
1. Is it a genuine University which is qualified and professionally
Able to grant non-accredited degrees.
2. Is is true that they are not accredited as they have no campus and
Being that fact that they are an online University with little if need
For a summer school program requirement.
3. Accepting that normally an accredited degree may be required before
Acceptance and recognition by many professional bodies in the US how
Important is this 'non-accreditation' outside of the US.
4. How important is it to have an accredited degree. I understand
Some excellent Universities are not accredited through a State
Education department.
5. Atlantic International University uses a system of andragogy would
That system preclude them from gaining accreditation and if not why
Have they not been granted accreditation.
I would seek your understanding that my questions may reflect my
Confusion over this matter.
Answer (first email)
You may find information about the regulation of unaccredited
Degree-granting institutions in Hawaii online at
Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Unaccredited Degree Granting Institutions.
All we are able to advise you is that AIU is indeed "unaccredited" as that
Term is used in our law.
Jeffrey E. Brunton
Question: (second email)
Hypothetically, if one were to gain a degree through Atlantic
International University (AIU) be it a Masters or Doctorate degree
Which would not be accredited.
Would it further be classed as a degree gained from a 'degree mill' ?
Although I appreciate that the degree Atlantic International
University (AIU) confers may not be accepted by some professional
Bodies which require State registration.
Could it be classified as a degree gained through a university which
Simply provides a different (non traditional) approach to education
Which at this time would not warrant consideration for accreditation.
I do not live in the US or work there directly so cannot understand
Why if Atlantic University (AIU) uses an adult system namely
Andragogy' which I understand, equally demands a rigorous level of
Academic input and that on first sight seems to be of a relatively
High standard, one may be left with the idea that it is in fact a
Degree mill.
I guess my question is - considering the level of education and academic
Input demanded by the university and the system used, is Atlantic
International University (AIU) an unaccredited university which
Demands an adequate level of education from which it is able to confer
Legitimate albeit unaccredited degrees?
Answer: (second email)
2. Hawaii statutes do not define the term "diploma mill," therefore there is
No answer to be found for your questions in our law. Thus, our law does
Not "class" or "classify" AIU degrees in any sense other than that they
Derive from an "unaccredited" university.
From the above and my research I would still state that Atlantic International University is not a 'degree mill' and, in my opinion, is worthy of consideration, that is after taking into account some of the limitations of a degree issued by an 'unaccredited' university such as AIU.
Genderth