Reputation of a Liberty Degree

[EliEverIsAHero]

[Note from moderator: This thread has been split from the thread Doctorates (QUICK) CHEAP). The post that follows was not written as the first post in a new thread, but rather as a post within that existing thread. The original context of the post that follows was discussing transferring credit into a doctorate at Capitol Technology University.]

I appear to have missed the word "fewer". But I believe the Wiki says they're now capped at 21.

So you can no longer do the classic path of, say, taking 42 coursework credit hours at Liberty University and avoiding the shame of having a Liberty PhD by speedrunning (by graduate standards) your 18-credit dissertation at Cap Tech.

[Continuethejourney]

I appear to have missed the word "fewer". But I believe the Wiki says they're now capped at 21.

So you can no longer do the classic path of, say, taking 42 coursework credit hours at Liberty University and avoiding the shame of having a Liberty PhD by speedrunning (by graduate standards) your 18-credit dissertation at Cap Tech.

The “shame” of having a Liberty PhD? Really? You really think it’s an easy path to earning a PhD at Liberty?

[NotJoeBiden]

I appear to have missed the word "fewer". But I believe the Wiki says they're now capped at 21.

So you can no longer do the classic path of, say, taking 42 coursework credit hours at Liberty University and avoiding the shame of having a Liberty PhD by speedrunning (by graduate standards) your 18-credit dissertation at Cap Tech.

What a shame. That was probably the only thing going for them at this point.

[SteveFoerster]

I appear to have missed the word "fewer". But I believe the Wiki says they're now capped at 21.

So you can no longer do the classic path of, say, taking 42 coursework credit hours at Liberty University and avoiding the shame of having a Liberty PhD by speedrunning (by graduate standards) your 18-credit dissertation at Cap Tech.

The “shame” of having a Liberty PhD? Really? You really think it’s an easy path to earning a PhD at Liberty?

Agreed. Liberty University isn't my personal cup of tea, but this was unprovoked and very obnoxious.

[sanantone]

Why so sensitive? This person is looking at doctoral programs and personally feels that there is shame in having a Liberty PhD. I'm less concerned about legitimate criticisms of Liberty than actual harmful things Liberty has done. If Liberty cared about its reputation, its leadership would be better people. EliEverIsAHero's comment doesn't even compare to the offensive and materially harmful things Liberty has done. If you're more offended by that brief and tame criticism than Liberty punishing rape victims and firing whistleblowers, then Eli isn't the one with the concerning mindset. Besides, if you're in the natural sciences, a Liberty degree does have a stigma. That's just reality. And Liberty is also known for having far more online students than ground students and having non-competitive admissions for its online programs.

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For the PhD in CS program, CapTechU only approved 18 transfer credits from my DSc in IT, which was disappointing. Nothing was transferred from any of my Master's degrees. For the dissertation, there are six courses (36 credits) that I don't see any way they would allow you to transfer unless you were ABD or worked something out. I've been told that even if I wanted to "accelerate" faster than six terms to complete the program, you are required to enroll in these credits regardless of pace (i.e., pay the tuition). So the only avenue to cheaper tuition is through the various discounts (military, EdAssist, etc.).

They have a 10-year time limit for transfer credits. As with any program, there's the risk that not all of your potential transfer credits will be seen as applicable to the receiving program. When the previous director was there, they would accept transfer credits that weren't really related to the program.

[Sagan]

"Shame" is a strong word and not particularly appropriate.

Liberty is one of a handful of schools who communicate something else than the usual message a degree transmits. The University of Phoenix is another.

Having a degree from Liberty can tell some that the holder is aligned with the university's very overt messaging. Whether that evokes "shame," "pride," something else, or nothing at all is in the eye of the beholder.

Liberty was a pioneer in distance learning.

[sanantone]

"Shame" is a strong word and not particularly appropriate.

Liberty is one of a handful of schools who communicate something else than the usual message a degree transmits. The University of Phoenix is another.

Having a degree from Liberty can tell some that the holder is aligned with the university's very overt messaging. Whether that evokes "shame," "pride," something else, or nothing at all is in the eye of the beholder.

Liberty was a pioneer in distance learning.

If it's in the eye of the beholder, then shame is the appropriate word for that individual.

[Sagan]

"Shame" is a strong word and not particularly appropriate.

Liberty is one of a handful of schools who communicate something else than the usual message a degree transmits. The University of Phoenix is another.

Having a degree from Liberty can tell some that the holder is aligned with the university's very overt messaging. Whether that evokes "shame," "pride," something else, or nothing at all is in the eye of the beholder.

Liberty was a pioneer in distance learning.

If it's in the eye of the beholder, then shame is the appropriate word for that individual.

That's not how it was posited. It was said as if it was a matter of fact and universally accepted. It is not.

[NotJoeBiden]

Na, we are not flooding this page with arguments about semantics.

[NotJoeBiden]

There was a thread designed to discuss this very topic:
https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/showthr...?tid=48404