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What do you think about Atlantic International University?
Is it accredited by official organization?
They will transfer my associated diploma and my previous work experience to regular hours and will have to cover about 10 courses to have bachelor degree.
Thank you
On their website here:
Atlantic International University: Accreditation
It clearly states (in bold text): "ATLANTIC INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY IS NOT ACCREDITED BY AN ACCREDITING AGENCY RECOGNIZED BY THE UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF EDUCATION."
A quick Google produces this:
"Atlantic International University, Hawaii, Florida. Azaliah, formerly New Mexico, Lost its US accreditation in 2002"
Please refer to This Thread
It's a scam. Read the article about Diploma Mills on Wikipedia: Diploma mill - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaQuote:
Originally Posted by smqms
A university that offers diplomas on life experience are a scam through and through
There are many other mail order schools that offer you degrees at only a few hundred dollars compared to the 1000's they want.
Heck our church has a religious college degree that is actual study that costs less than this. ( also not acredited but again we are for people in our church who want to study religion)
With respect I do not know how you can call AIU a degree mills if you have truly examined the site. There are many non accredited universities are they all scams.Quote:
Originally Posted by smqms
If this is the case they have produced a site that goes a long way towards authentication.
Absolutely ANYONE can make a web site, it means nothing.Quote:
Originally Posted by genderth
My argument would be - why go to all the bother of producing a site, holding conferences and degree ceremonies over the globe in different countries, becoming in some way affiliated with other Universities, albeit in Spain and latin American Countries - it seems a long distance to travel for a scam. Especially, when they could do exactly as other (Mills) as you refer do and that is just offer you a degree for a fixed some of money. Personally it does not make a whole lot of sense to me.
As the remarks you are making are damaging and of detrimental to that particular institution, in my opinion without due cause. I am sure if you looked into the University responsibly, you would find that they practice a form of adult learning which has been around for many years, one which is referred to as 'adragogy'. For your information, it is argued that the way an adult learns is different from the way a child learns -- this is the most basic principle behind the educational theory known as andragogy.
The term means man-lead as opposed to child-lead, which is the literal meaning of the word pedagogy. These are two different educational principles, and applying the former in a distance education setting can make for more enriching learning experience.
Further, on investigation I have learned they are not accredited due to the fact they do not have a campus but offices in Miami and Hawai. Many Universities, in fact, some of the best are not accredited. Although a campus would be of benefit for accountability, if one is providing university education worldwide via. The internet it may not be of the upmost importance.
My argument is based on the premise that this type of statement without proven investigation or foundation is wrong. Most 'Degree Mills' when contacted are quite up front over their activities or make it as obvious as possible, under which ever cloak they choose to use. Although I do concur there are issues on the internet and scams that need to be bought to peoples attention and exposing, in my opinion, it is those that one should have evidence of and be identified on valuable sites such as this.
In your previous post you mentioned only the website and that was what I responded to, I stand by my response: never believe a company is above board simply because their website looks professional. That's part of the premise of phising scams. You seem awfully defensive on this subject, that leads one to believe you are involved with them. I'll stick with the others and lump 'your school' with the other degree mills that will take your money for a piece of paper that means little to any employer.Quote:
Originally Posted by genderth
You're joking, right?Quote:
Originally Posted by genderth
Well said NK, he obviously hasn't paid any attention to my Degree Mill piece that I posted earlier.
See post #3!
It really does not matter who is on their teaching staff, or if they hold mettings for graduates around the world. ( If I was making as much money as they are on these degrees I could afford to do that to, esp with the students paying gradutation fees.
What is inportant at least in the US, is the simple fact, is it reconised by the US government, is it accepted as valid by the US Dept of Education.
And they are not, you can not take this degree and go for a real Masters degree at any State approved college, you can't use this degree for most business that actually checks on the colleges.
I will reserve my opinion on this - I rest my case. I still feel that there are more issues to be looked into on the internet than this, which are only based on opinion rather than fact. Of course there are some professional bodies who do not accept degrees from non accredited Universities but many do, that is made clear also on the site. I am pleased Chuck makes the statement that his is an opinion
Look at the so called credit card processing companies that rise and fall and cost the online consumers thousands of dollars Stormpay for one, the actions of Paypal and of course many many others.
I don't believe anyone is saying they will not issue you a degree and I am sure they do everything they promise, I don't know that I have heard of any fruad complaints. The issue as I noted is if the piece of paper ( the degree) has any value once you get it.
It just can not be used for advanced education in the US, As long as a person knows they are not accedidated, and they don't have an issue with it, then they are getting what they understand it is.
There are any number of distance learning institutions that are accredited. The University of Phoenix and AIU are two that come to mind. AVOID any institution that is not accredited by on of the 6 accrediting orgaanizations as you're throwing your money away.
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
I did find the answer helpful and fully agree but that was not the tone of previous answers which were somewhat dismissive - thank you
I am a current student at AIU.
no it's not US acredited but it does have private acreditation (whatever value that may have)
I am not a US citezen and I simply chose AIU because it was best for me. I work full-time and paying for and attending harvard is something that is simply not within my scope.
I just wanted to let you know that you DO work for your degree, and you do learn things. You ARE supported by wonderful staff and online resources.
I haven't tried to get a job with this degree yet and don't know if I ever will, it depends on the kind of job and counrty you need to work in.
my advice is to decide why YOU need the degree. If you need the degree simply for acreditation.. then AIU is not for you.
if you want the degree for the opportunity to learn, then maybe AIU is what you are looking for.
furthermore AIU gave me a scholarship, so... this so called 'degree mill' - was have a particularly gernerous day when I applied.
I am teacher and studying edcation, there are many highly acclaimed experimental methods of education that never managed to again US acreditation. I am not saying AIU is F%$$ing awesome and everyone should do it, but if you look at some of the usless outdated bullSHHH laws in the US and the current capitalistic approch to educating an obease nation of consumers... no wonder why they don't prvide such exprimental education with acceditation.
I am a current student at AIU.
no it's not US accredited but it does have private accreditation (whatever value that may have)
It was good to receive a positive comment in respect of AIU which supports and proves my point that AIU is not a degree mill, although I concur that it is non-accredited but not a degree/diploma mill and it should rest there.
At times the internet contains just too many negatives which need addressing. I am pleased to hear that persons such as 'asmpa' are there to assist in correcting the earlier misleading posts, although I am not suggesting that they were meant to be detrimental or offend - but it is good to live and learn.
Genderth
They pretty much said themselves that the only reason they can give to argue that it is not a degree mill is that in Hawaii the term "degree mill" is not legally defined.
A pretty poor argument don't you think?
I guess everyone in this discussion failed to do a good search on the net regarding information and legal action taken against this UNACCREDITED so called University... (aka Diploma Mill in 49 other states)Quote:
Originally Posted by smqms
Take a look at this website... Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Atlantic International University
Those who defend AIU are those who already gave up their money so by defending them they don't feel bad or acknowledge the fact that they have been ripped off..
At least according to the injuction, they might be entitled to their money back if they read the attachments on the site above and ask for a refund...
Just my two cents...
Otherwise it doesn't matter if they are accredited or not if your goal is to have a Degree with your name on it, to you it is a degree.. who gives a what the rest of the world thinks, you spent your money, maybe did some studying some work.. so who says it's not real? It only matters if you try to use it for legitimate or legal purposes...
While there are plenty of legitimate non-accredited universities, this is not one that is mentioned among the widely known schools... For pride and self-esteem save yourself some money and get a degree from a church sponored school. You can gain you knowledge from the various open universities website where the entire coursework is posted for your use for free... Standford univ, MIT, and many others.. you just cannot appply for a degree... So take these courses and then pay for challenge exams when you feel you have what it takes to get an accredited degree..
MV
Currently I'm a student from this university.
And I just have a few months, but it seems to me that I learn a lot of things that I never learn in my before schools.
I did my bachelor degree on Mexico As a Industrial engineer, then I got my Master degree from the Texas A&M on MBA.
And currently I'm studying on AIU the Phd on Business.
Currently I'm working for a big firm on the U.S. and I don't have any problem with a degree for a AIU.
Thank you
This is not a valid reason for not being accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Education. There are several distance universities that are accredited. Capella University is an example of a total online university with no campus and is accredited. They offer high quality education.Quote:
Further, on investigation I have learned they are not accredited due to the fact they do not have a campus but offices in Miami and Hawai. .
Besides not being accredited, my concern is actually the curricula. For example, 8 courses and a dissertation for a Ph.D. is not a solid foundation for that level of education, in my opinion as an educator in higher education myself. The website is certainly slick, and I can imagine that students may certainly be learning something of value; however, I have concerns about whether it can be at the level offered by the distance institutions that I am familiar with that are accredited. This certainly makes it cheaper, but it is cheaper because the student is not taking an in-depth curriculum; plus, accreditation is an expensive endeavor itself, which adds to the cost of education.
As someone who is a campus president, one of the first things I do is check out the degree of those applying for faculty positions. We are a nontraditional school ourselves, so we do value nontraditional ways of being; however, I would not hire someone with a degree from AIU, if that assists anyone in making such an important decision.
Final note, yes AIU notes they embrace "andragogy". This does not in any way negate the possibility of accreditation. Many accredited universities have academics who are adherents to this adult learning theory.
The answer is self-serving and not balanced. digcare
I am a Student of Atlantic International University, a candidate for BSc Computer Science, it was all my dream to work with computers, since before I became student of AIU, I was a computer expert. AIU opens up the opportunity for me to obtain a degree in Computer Science even though I have no knowledge of Physics and Chemistry (which is a requirement in conventional universities to study computer science). They have excellent support, academic guidance, and flexible phases. We do Assignments, just like any other, and finally we have a Thesis (Project) for a Chosen area. Even from their websites, you can have access to some of the Thesis of other students.
Though I am not from the US, it does not bother me which degree comes to me, in as much as I have worked for it, and from now, I have learned so many things which I have not know, I am an Entrepreneur by class, I run my own IT company. Whether with a degree or not, I will continue with my Company.
The reason why I join AIU is like having a guide towards a certain academic desire, you will move from one stage to another, while seeing your progress, with them, it is easy for me to manage my time as well as control everything. Frictionally AIU is kind of illutional, in some of the assignments they asked me to read books about Evolution a lot, I think they are somehow linked with a fraternal organization in the US or some where, anyway, they cannot overcome my beliefs. What I want at the end is gaining a degree, I will be very proud to make a frame of the degree and place it in my Office's wall.
Another thing is even though I am not so much an Adult (only 21) still AIU gave me the opportunity to progress, also know that they have certain requirements for admission, and they will not accept you for a Degree if you did not finish High School, they will not accept you for Masters if you did not have Bachelor Degree, also Phd, you must have Master Degree.
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