Virginia University of Lynchburg Accreditation on Warning

[sanantone]

I want to add my "two cents" to this distinction. For many years, people have found any number of ways to demonize and subjugate certain accreditations or institutions as inferior or "less than" to make their educational journey or decision or school seem superior. As long as the US Department of Education has given its stamp of approval and authority to TRACS to accredit schools and provide Federal Aid to millions of students, that's ALL THAT MATTERS. 

Every HBCU, save the large institutions (Howard, FAMU, etc.) struggle. For those who may not understand the struggles dating back to the 1800s, HBCUs started explicitly due to the roadblocks, segregation, lack of funding, outright racism, and evil actions of government-sanctioned bigotry that have plagued HBCUs for generations. VUL is not exempt. I believe what VUL has done is see its challenges, rise to the challenge, and now offer a solid, well-regarded, and in-demand DHA Program that has put VUL on the map and helped secure a better financial future for VUL. 

The DHA program continues to see record enrollment, especially for minority students. The current Healthcare leadership spectrum has a deficient minority representation across the USA. There is a staggering underrepresentation of top-level leaders of BIPOC background all over the USA and other health sectors where the USA has international locations. 

VUL is on the right path, and being on a short probationary period to allow VUL to fix the issues doesn't raise significant concerns. Every year, many schools miss one or two accreditation benchmarks and are given a warning. This situation is not to the point of school closure, loss of accreditation, or VUL DHA program closure.

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The DHA at VUL is the EASY way out. The degree is taking advantage of minority students or those students who want a quick fix vs a standard doctoral degree. There are plenty of options to receive a DHA, You can apply to the top school, the medical university of South Carolina; or you can go to Morehouse School of Medicine, Central Michigan University, Oklahoma State University, or even the online schools Capella, Phoenix, and Walden..

VUL degrees aren’t respected in the healthcare space and the school has a degree mill reputation from other academic institutions. A doctorate that can be earned in one year is not up to the standard of those that take 3 years to achieve.

Now, you have a bias and need for the school to maintain credibility, but I’m sorry you waisted your money.

For others, GO TO A REGIONALLY ACCREDITED institution.

The information you have presented lacks factual evidence. Many universities offer a one-year DBA or similar doctoral degree in Management, Business, and Healthcare. Your assertion suggesting otherwise is inaccurate. Furthermore, your claim that VUL's DHA program lacks respect in the healthcare industry and is deemed a diploma mill is baseless and disrespectful. VUL, as an established HBCU, has never been associated with diploma mill practices. Your remarks are offensive and unsubstantiated.

Additionally, your preference for "RA institutions" displays narrow-mindedness and bias against non-RA schools, particularly HBCUs. Unless you are affiliated with the US Department of Education, it is not within your authority to place significance on the distinction between RA and NA institutions based on personal opinion. The standards set by the USDOE for educational institutions are upheld by accrediting bodies, regardless of their designation or the public's penchant towards subjugating one or the other as "less than." Passing judgment on the reputation of the DHA program without adequate knowledge or experience in the academic and healthcare fields is unjust.

1-year Doctoral Programs: 

1. Doctorate in Behavioral Health, Capella University, Freed-Hardeman University, Arizona State University

Similar short Doctoral Programs (18 months):

Doctor of Nursing Practice, Grand Canyon University, Capella University, Purdue Global University, Maryville University, University of Florida, Gwynedd Mercy University


2. Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Grand Canyon University, Boston University, Temple University

Before making baseless accusations and spreading misinformation, I suggest conducting thorough research. It is possible to earn a doctoral degree in a short period from various universities offering similar disciplines or degrees classified as "professional doctorates."

Lastly, I would like to mention that in the past 3-4 years since the introduction of the DHA program at VUL, we have witnessed many graduates thriving in their respective fields after earning their DHA. Some have become CEOs, C-suite executives, university professors, and have taken on roles in various Local, State, and Federal agencies throughout the USA. Personally, I am currently engaged through a contract with the NM Department of Health.

May I ask which school offer "Many universities offer a one-year DBA or similar doctoral degree in Management, Business"

Listen, I'm not going to argue with people over the path I took. I don't have to prove myself or VUL to anyone. 

Here is a list from this website that shows many schools that offer a 1-year or close to 18-month or more, in their doctoral programs. Let me also clear something up. VUL makes it very clear that this DHA program is an accelerated program that would normally take 2 years.

https://www.edsmart.org/shortest-doctora...ms-online/

Most doctoral students take 2 classes per semester. If VUL did that, it would take 5 semesters to complete the DHA and up to 2 additional semesters to complete the Externship requirement. Again, each student has the right to choose their program, choose their school, and choose how fast they want to go. Those choices don't make their program or length of study any less valuable or qualified. 

And at the end of the day, the USDOE and accrediting body has authorized and recognized VUL's DHA program. For those who have issues with it, tough! There's really nothing anyone can do about it! Go to another school.

That website you linked to lists multiple unaccredited universities. The rest of the programs are either for licensed healthcare fields, or they're three years. They did not list "many" schools with 1-year or 18-month doctorates. One of the 18-month doctorates is an ABD completion program. Did you go over the list? 

Where are you getting the information that most doctoral students take two classes per semester? That is a part-time schedule for non-traditional students. Full-time students take a minimum of 9 semester hours.

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VUL is on the semester hour system but all courses in the DHA are four credit hours. Are they really worth four credit hours? I don't know. They're not the only school that does this, but it's rare.