Customer Reviews

Campus Free College Degrees: Thorsons Guide to Accredited College Degrees Through Distance Learning

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I have an older version of this book, but I thought it was excellent. I actually am about to complete a degree program that I found in here. I have never seen another resource quite like it. The book lets you look up "non-traditional" degree programs by profession as well as by state. It also tells you what accreditations each college holds and what the degree program requirements are.

Thorson has done her research in a very thorough manner. With each new edition, she redoes her research to make sure it is up-to-date and accurate rather than copy what is in the older editions like similar books do.

If you are considering a non-traditional university degree, you need to read this book cover-to-cover. First, Thorson talks about the key players, their roles and responsibilities. Distance learning may or may not be the way for you to pursue your college degree.

Second, and most important is a very frank and clear discussion about accreditation, the various accrediting agencies plus contact information. She explains the types of educational accreditation: institutional (state, regional, national, etc) and specialized accreditation. For example The American Dietetic Association for programs focused on nutrition or American Physical Therapy Association for Physical Therapists and more.) Read about accreditation before gettting an application to the program you think you want to attend. Then write to all of the agencies the institution says it is accredited through. Request a copy of their most recent evaluation of your chosen institution. I did and found out one program accredited through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)- a regional accrediting agency, had deep financial problems, had filed for bankruptcy and had received its second warning from WACS stating that it would lose its accreditation it did not rectify its financial problems. But, that university never told me that. Eventually they were forced to close by the bankruptcy courts for financial reasons leaving thousands of students hanging with only "part of" a college degree.

Next Thorson explains the process of getting university credits towards what one has learned through ones work experience and life experience through the various equivalency examinations, complete with contact info and what tests they administer. This saves time and money and is excellent for the military and minor students who have had to live outside of the USA due to their parents career. Also, is a chapter on high school diplomas via distance learning that are accredited programs. Some profiled are Texas Tech University High School, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Independent Stidu High School, North Dakota Department of Public Instrucion of Independent Study, American School Private and private correspondence schools like the American School, Citizens'High School, Hartcourt High School, Home Study International, Keystone National High School.

She explains the various types of long-distance learning. Some degrees are all "virtual" or all on-line and others require you to meet with the professor and other students either on the "real" campus or a satelite location. That involves your time and costs. She gives a comprehensive review of all of the colleges with distance learning degrees starting out with contact information, degrees offered, how the courses are delivered (online, site-based, etc), description of each degree and tuition. At the back of the book is an "Index of Study Area" allowing you look up the degree you want to study with the universities offering that degree and the degree program (certified, associate, bachelor, master, doctorate). The index of schools lists the colleges alphabetically accompanied by the page number where it is profiled. I am extremely happy with this book and it helped me find the program that meets everything I was looking for in pursuing a master degree program.

Thank you Ms. Thorson for a well-researched and well-written book!

This guide book is well detailed, and interesting. But nothing to crown about when you read Peterson's Guides and the rest of the guides book. I have not verified the accuracy of information yet, but it seems to stand well on its own