Madison University

:"Not to be confused with University of Wisconsin-Madison, James Madison University, or the historical (pre-1846) name of Colgate University."

Madison University is an non-accredited distance learning university located in Gulfport, Mississippi. The state of Mississippi considers Madison an "unapproved" college. [cite news | url=http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/Academic_Affairs1/MCCANonApprovedEntitiesList2005.pdf | title=Unapproved Colleges | publisher=Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation | date= | first= | last= | accessdate = 2007-04-18] Madison is also listed as an unaccredited and/or substandard institution by four other U.S. states. [cite news | url=http://www.osac.state.or.us/oda/unaccredited.html | title=Unaccredited colleges | publisher=Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization | date= 2007 | first= | last= | accessdate = 2007-04-13] [cite news | url=http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/AAR/PrivateInstitutions/fraudnotx.cfm | title=Fraudulent or Substandard Institutions with No Known Texas Connection | publisher=Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board | date= 2007 | first= | last= | accessdate = 2007-04-13] [cite news | url=http://www.maine.gov/education/highered/Non-Accredited/la-mo.htm | title=Non-Accredited Colleges & Universities List: LA - MO | publisher=Maine Department of Education | date= 2007 | first= | last= | accessdate = 2007-03-13] [cite news | url=http://www.quackwatch.org/04ConsumerEducation/nonrecorg.html | title=Questionable Organizations: An Overview | publisher=Quackwatch | date= 2007 | first=Stephen | last=Barrett | accessdate = 2007-03-13] According to "The Chronicle of Higher Education", Madison University has been referred to as a diploma mill by the state of Oregon. [cite web | author=Bartlett, Thomas and Scott Smallwood| year=2004| title="Maxine Asher Has a Degree for You" | format= | work=The Chronicle of Higher Education | url=http://chronicle.com/free/v50/i42/42a01201.htm | accessdate = 2006-08-18] .

Tuition is charged per degree, not per course, credit, or academic term. The school offers discounts for multiple degrees or for referring other enrollees. [http://www.madisonu.com/Tuition%20aid.html (accessed September 7, 2007)] A 2004 newspaper article stated, "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." [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]

Academics and accreditation

Madison University states that it is fully accredited by the World Association of Universities and Colleges. [http://www.madisonu.com/accreditation.html (accessed September 7, 2007)] This organization is, however, an unrecognized "accreditation" board that is not recognized or approved by either the United States Department of Education or Council for Higher Education Accreditation. [cite news | url=http://www.chea.org/Directories/index.asp | title=Accreditation Database and Information | publisher=Council for Higher Education Accreditation | date= | first= | last= | accessdate = 2006-08-18] Since the school is not accredited by an accreditation body recognized by its country, 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. [US Department of Education, [http://www.ed.gov/students/prep/college/diplomamills/accreditation.html Diploma Mills and Accreditation] ]

In 2006 the "Virgin Islands Daily News" reported that Virgin Islands Senator Adlah Donastorg, a candidate for territorial governor, listed on his resume a bachelor's degree in business administration from Madison University. Investigation by the newspaper revealed that Madison was not accredited by any recognized agency and was listed on the "Non-Approved Entities" list of the Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation. Madison provided names of several "accreditors" that the newspaper found are either not engaged in accreditation or are not recognized accreditors in the United States, including the World Association of Universities and Colleges, United States Distance Learning Association, National Academy of Higher Education, and the Association of Distance Learning Programs. After publication of this information, Donastorg's attorney notified the newspaper that he would sue over the article. Donastorg told the newspaper that his online classes through Madison University "were among some of the most challenging of his academic career" and he was not aware that Madison's accreditation was unrecognized. [ [http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_home?id=17598945 Donastorg claims degree from unaccredited institution] , "Virgin Islands Daily News", October 30, 2006]

References

ee also

* Educational accreditation
* Degree mill
* List of unaccredited institutions of higher learning

External links

* [http://www.madisonu.org/ Madison University]
* [http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Non-accreditedSchools_78090_7.pdf Appears on list of unaccredited schools] for Michigan
* [http://www.wlbt.com/global/story.asp?s=5266042&ClientType=Printable Three On Your Side Investigates: Mississippi Diploma Mills]
* [http://www.bbbmississippi.org/codbrep.html?ID=14001251&cons=y Better Business Bureau Report]