Name It and Frame It?
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| Name It and Frame It? | |
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| Author | Steve Levicoff |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Institute on Religion and Law |
| Publication date | 1992, 1993 |
| Media type | Paperback |
| ISBN | ASIN B0006F1PCQ |
Name It and Frame It? is a self-published 1993 book by Steve Levicoff about unaccredited Christian colleges and universities, exploring the accreditation process and the nature of legitimate and illegitimate unaccredited institutions of higher learning. The fourth edition contains updated information and responses from some of the surveyed schools. The National Center for Science Education, the New York Post and author Jason D. Baker have mentioned the book as a resource.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Contents
Levicoff surveys various unaccredited Christian schools as well as providing an explanation about various forms of accreditation. Although in the past Levicoff has criticized the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, he notes that TRACS has since "responded positively" to his earlier critiques.[2]
Levicoff argues that a non-accredited school is not necessarily a degree mill.[3] He devotes a chapter to "legitimate unaccredited Christian programs," some notable examples of which include (in the United States): Bob Jones University, Luther Rice University (both accredited by TRACS since publication) Messenger College,[4] and (in Canada) Regent College.[5]
Levicoff also surveys "ordination mills," the most famous of which is the Universal Life Church.
Levicoff's publisher, the "Institute on Religion and Law" is a business name used for his personal consulting firm, and the book was self-published.
[edit] Notable universities identified as suspected degree mills
Levicoff identifies several notable schools as suspected degree mills (page numbers identified are from the third edition); accompanying the school is an analysis of the educational programs.
- Adam Smith University
- Baptist Christian University (author notes it is "affiliated with Louisiana Baptist Theological Seminary") (page 113)
- Christian Bible College (Rocky Mount, North Carolina)
- Clarksville School of Theology (author used it as an example of a bad institution, as the author noted it was closed by decision of the Tennessee Supreme Court)
- Columbia Pacific University
- Columbia State University (Metairie, Louisiana)
- Fairfax University (New Orleans, Louisiana)
- Greenwich University (Hilo, Hawaii)
- LaSalle University (Mandeville, Louisiana)
- Louisiana Baptist Theological Seminary (Author notes is "a division of Baptist Christian Schools in Shreveport, Louisiana") (page 133)
- Oxford Graduate School (Dayton, Tennessee) (since publication has met with strict guidelines by TRACS to become a candidate for full accrediatation)
- Summit Theological Seminary (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
- The Theological University of America (also as the University of America) (New Orleans, Louisiana)
- Vision Christian University (Ramona, California) ("is the successor institution to the Logos Bible College") (page 146)
[edit] See also
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ "Unmasking the False Prophet of Creationism"; National Center for Science Education, September 1, 1999; Jason D. Baker. About Bakers Guide to Christian Distance Education 1997; Christopher Francezcani. "Net scammers offer cheapskins." New York Post. August 1999.
- ^ Steve Levicoff. Name It and Frame It? New Opportunities in Adult Education and How to Avoid Being Ripped Off by 'Christian' Degree Mills (Institute on Religion and Law, third edition 1993), 25.
- ^ Levicoff, 33.
- ^ Levicoff, 93-97.
- ^ Levicoff, 99-100.
[edit] External links
- Portions of Name it and Frame it online
- The NIFI Criteria or How to Spot a Degree Mill in 75 Easy Steps by Steve Levicoff
- Texas Fines Distance-Learning Institution as Diploma Mill The Chronicle of Higher Education November 23, 2001
