Choosing Alternative Therapies/Distance Masters

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Expert: - 7/26/2011


Question
Hi There,

I m considering studying for my Masters in Psychology through a school called Commonwealth open university this is their website www.off-campus.org you can find all their curriculum and accreditation there.
I want to know if their degree is accredited regionally if accredited at all.

Thanks for your help.
All the Best,
Sirine

Answer
Hi Sirine,

Thank you for submitting your question. Though I cannot specifically comment on other schools, here is some general information about the importance of accreditation that you may find informative.

Accreditation is a stringent process of quality control completed by an independent and government recognized accrediting body. The only recognized accreditation in the United States is accreditation granted by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or both.

For example, American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education Training Council (DETC) which is recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as an accrediting body. (You can find information about the DETC and ACHS accreditation online at www.detc.org.)

Using credentials issued by a school that is not properly accredited may cause professional and even legal problems. Further, many schools mislead students about the validity of their accreditation. The Oregon Department of Education website provides information on national diploma mills and schools offering unauthorized degrees. You may want to read through this information before you invest in your education.

In addition, ACHS has posted more information about the importance of accreditation, as well as hyperlinks to further information, on the ACHS website at http://www.achs.edu/accreditation.aspx?id=1

I hope this information helps, Sirine. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Warm regards,
Dorene Petersen

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Dorene Petersen

Expertise

I can answer questions related to the process of accreditation, legal issues relating to accreditation, accreditation and transfer of credit, accreditation and military funding, the benefits of accreditation for students and the distance learning community, how potential students can learn more about and verify accreditation, the philosophy of distance learning, the development of distance learning, distance learning and curriculum design, as well as questions relating to holistic health and holistic health education, including: Holistic Health Practitioner, Master Herbalist, naturopathy, aromatherapy, herbalism, homeopathy, flower essences, iridology, holistic nutrition, wellness consulting, and phytotherapy.

Experience

I founded the American College of Healthcare Sciences (formerly the Australasian College of Health Sciences) in 1978 and serve as College President. My BA is in Archaeology and Anthropology from Otago University, New Zealand, I have a Diploma in Natural Therapeutics from the South Pacific College of Natural Therapies in Auckland, New Zealand, and am a certified acupuncturist with specialized training in Chinese herbal medicine and moxibustion. I also serve as Chair of the Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC) and am a member of the Research and Educational Standards Subcommittee of the DETC.

Organizations
I currently serve as Chair of the Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC), an independent, nonprofit organization that administers the national examination in aromatherapy to ensure minimum standards of training and safety knowledge of registered aromatherapists. I also am a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild.

Publications
My articles have appeared in Alternative Therapies in Clinical Practice, The News Quarterly, Making Scents, The Herbarist, and on Blogcritics.org.

Education/Credentials
My BA is in Archaeology and Anthropology from Otago University, New Zealand, I have a Diploma in Natural Therapeutics from the South Pacific College of Natural Therapies in Auckland, New Zealand, and am a certified acupuncturist with specialized training in Chinese herbal medicine and moxibustion.

Awards and Honors
In 2009, I was awarded the Professional Service Award from the International Herb Association for her outstanding contributions to the herb industry.

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