Madison University
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- Not to be confused with University of Wisconsin-Madison, James Madison University, or Colgate University.
Madison University is an unaccredited distance learning university located in Gulfport, Mississippi. Madison is listed as an unaccredited and/or substandard institution by three US States.[1][2][3][4] The state of Mississippi considers Madison an "unapproved" college.[5] It has been referred to as a diploma mill by the state of Oregon.[6]
Kathleen McKinney is listed as the University's Director.
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[edit] Academics and accreditation
Madison University is not accredited by any accreditation body recognized by its country. As such, its degrees and credits might not be acceptable to employers or other institutions, and use of degree titles may be restricted or illegal in some jurisdictions. [1] However, while Madison University is "approved" by the World Association of Universities and Colleges and United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA), these are unrecognized "accreditation" boards that have no status with the United States Department of Education or Council for Higher Education Accreditation.[7] In effect, this group's accreditation is meaningless in the academic community.
Tuition is offered in either a single payment or payment plan option and the school offers a discount for referring others. The website does not list the first name of any faculty members. In a 2006 AP article, it was noted that "Mississippi has become a magnet for diploma mills" and that Madison is considered an "nonapproved" school by governmental authorities.[8] In a 2004 article it was noted, "During legislative debate in Mississippi last year, Madison University, a school of particular concern to state officials and one identified as a diploma mill by the state of Oregon, said it enrolled 39,000 students from around the world."[9]
[edit] References
- ^ "Unaccredited colleges", Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
- ^ "Fraudulent or Substandard Institutions with No Known Texas Connection", Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
- ^ "Non-Accredited Colleges & Universities List: NA - OX", Maine Department of Education, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-03-13.
- ^ Barrett, Stephen. "Questionable Organizations: An Overview", Quackwatch, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-03-13.
- ^ "Unapproved Colleges", Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation. Retrieved on 2007-04-18.
- ^ Bartlett, Thomas and Scott Smallwood (2004). "Maxine Asher Has a Degree for You". The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved on 2006-08-18.
- ^ "Accreditation Database and Information", Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Retrieved on 2006-08-18.
- ^ Shelia Byrd, "Mississippi ready to crack down on diploma mills," Associated Press, August 11, 2006
- ^ James Varney, "Mailbox U: After Louisiana cracked down on diploma mills several distance-learning institutions moved to Mississippi". Times-Picayune (New Orleans) August 1, 2004 Pg. 1
