This column wants to divert a little from the pressing national security issues to comment on a matter of compelling national interest. As such, this article is written for the general public's interest and attention as it relates to accreditation, quality assurance, consumer protection and to ensure that their educational accomplishments-be it pursued full-time, part-time or by distance learning-are indeed worthy. As such, due diligence and legitimate expectations are required ingredients in ensuring that their diplomas and degrees are credible.
This is necessary as no one in this country willing, determined and financially capable of advancing their educational accomplishments should not to be lured by attractive and seductive advertising into acquiring credentials from unaccredited colleges, universities and degree mills (some posing as corporations) that may prove to be injurious to their ethics, character, integrity and professionalism. This has happened in thousands of cases, causing resignations, court proceedings and instant dismissal. One such publicised case is that of Laura Callahan, former chief executive officer, Homeland Security, who, according to Wikipedia, purchased three degrees from one Hamilton University, operating out of Wyoming.
Governance, monitoring and oversight mechanisms
Higher educational attainments acquired from fully accredited universities in the UK, US or Canada (from the respective Quality Assurance Bodies (UK), US Department of Education, Council on Higher Education, and any one of the six regional accreditation bodies in the USA, and from the respective provincial Ministry of Colleges and Universities (Canada), whether gained by full-time attendance, part-time or distance learning play an integral role in the development of our nation. On a whole, well-established colleges and universities want to maintain and enhance their excellent reputation and status as leading international educational providers. In order to do so, their programmes are consistently assessed and graded. In the UK, it is called the Research Assessment Exercise (Rae).
Along with the genuine and reputable institutions offering of distance learning education (such as the University of London, Wales, Leicester, Heriot Watt, Northumbria, Portsmouth, and many others in the UK), some private institutions and corporations in the UK, US and Canada have taken advantage of the advances in technology and communication to persuade local, regional and international clientele into believing that their institution is accredited and that their degrees are accepted globally. Their apparent main aim is to "count the many blessings" while their corporation or institution last. The advertising may be so appealing, but it leaves many confused as to the meaning of "accreditation," "approval," "authorisation"?and "approved to operate."
General nature of doctoral studies
Our country is blessed with nationals who have studied locally and abroad in the completion of their doctoral programmes. Any one of them will indicate that such an academic venture is rigorous, tough, demanding, and includes spending thousands of hours in isolation, producing consistent work in presentation of papers, attending seminars, teaching classes, presentation of an introduction and chapter one of a research topic, agreed upon by the university, and the supervisory committee. To advance to doctoral candidacy, one must present the introduction and chapter consistent with the university's dissertation guidelines.
Furthermore, one must be interviewed and must pass the oral examination before a panel of at least three to four examiners (outside of your supervisors). After having advanced to candidacy, one must continue to produce additional work till completion of dissertation. A dissertation panel will be appointed by the university, including external examiners to review, examine and later question you on your research topic. This is before making a final decision as to whether or not you made a scholarly contribution to the field by virtue of your originality and research. The dissertation is then signed by all the members of the examination committee on the date you were examined, indicating whether it was accepted or not and whether one had to make revisions or it can be reduced to a lower level qualification.
Findings, accreditation
There are six regional accreditation bodies in the US that govern the 52 states, and their colleges and universities. These bodies under the US Department of Education and recognised by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (Chea) are as follows: the Middle States Association of Colleges and Universities, Middle States Commission on Higher Education, North-Central Association of Colleges and Universities, The Higher Learning Commission, New England Association of Schools and Universities, Commission on institution of Higher Education, Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, Southern association of Colleges and Universities, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities.