Taft University?

[MosheW]

Actualy I read more on their site.

Accreditation
Questions & Answers

1. Q. Why can't you disclose the name of the accrediting body?
A. Because the accrediting body establishes the rules. And logically we believe
it's a good rule. Virtually every recognized accrediting body in the United
States has this rule. Until the process is complete, they are not in a position
to inform current or prospective students on the prospects for accreditation.

2. Q. What do you mean by a "recognized" accrediting body?
A. We mean the accrediting body has been recognized by the United States
Department of Education as a reliable authority as to the quality of education
offered by educational institutions and programs. To maintain this status, the
accrediting body must undergo periodic re-evaluations by the Secretary of
Education and file periodic reports. The Department of Education publishes a
list of recognized accrediting bodies.

3. Q. Is accreditation guaranteed?
A. No institution can guarantee accreditation in advance of action taken by the
accrediting commission. However, University administration and faculty have
carefully reviewed the relevant accrediting handbooks and have met with
representatives of the accrediting body. Based on these actions, we believe
with certain modifications to existing standards the University will meet all
accreditation standards.

4. Q. What is your timetable to obtain this accreditation?
A. We expect to complete the self-study and host the site review in 2002.
Accrediting commission action is expected in 2003.

5. Q. What do you mean by "certain modifications" to existing University
standards? I like the current structure of the courses. Will Taft become an
Internet university?
A. We do not intend to become an Internet university in the sense that students
will be forced to complete all their lesson assignments online. However, we
will continue to expand our online services including "chat rooms" for all
enrolled students and optional online instruction for law students. School of
Business students will have the option of submitting many assignments
electronically. We also have no plans to force students into "classes"
requiring assignments be submitted pursuant to a rigid timetable.

6. Q. The accreditation process and the program modifications sound expensive
for the University to implement. Can I expect a tuition increase?
A. It is an expensive process. However, in adopting our budget these costs were
factored in for the next two fiscal years. Thereafter, as in the past, we
expect tuition increases would merely follow inflation.

7. Q. I'm a current law student. Will the accreditation allow me to take the
bar examination in states other than California?
A. Unfortunately, no. Outside of California, qualification to sit for the Bar
Examinations is generally based on graduation from an institution approved by
the American Bar Association. The ABA has chosen not to review its ban on
approving distance education courses which goes back to the 1950's. In our
opinion, ABA approved schools realize if they allow distance education to
expand nationally they will not be able to continue to justify the tuition
rates for Juris Doctor programs which average in excess of $80,000 nor the
faculty salaries which often exceed $100,000 per year. In addition, most state
bar associations are controlled by attorneys who desire to limit the number of
attorneys in their state. Attorney admittance to bars outside of California is
more of a political issue relating to limiting competition rather than any
concern for consumer protection. Don't expect any change in these rules in the
foreseeable future.

However, even under current rules, California attorneys who have practiced in
California for a certain period of time become eligible to sit for the Bar
examination in many states even without graduation from an ABA approved law
school.

Some Taft law graduates have been admitted to and graduated from Master of Laws
(LL.M.) programs at law schools approved by the American Bar Association.
Graduation from such programs qualify individuals to sit for the bar
examination in a majority of states.

8. Q. Will Taft make public regular progress reports on its accreditation
efforts?
A. To the extent we can and comply with accrediting body's rules. The
announcement of Taft's plans and responses to the above questions were made
public because we believe an institution's plans to seek or not to seek
accreditation is a material fact which should be disclosed to current and
prospective students. However, it would be inappropriate to publicize our
accreditation progress for promotional purposes.

[MosheW]

Recently an accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of
Education and a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
(CHEA), announced it was instituting a pilot program for institutions that
offer first professional degree programs such as the Juris Doctor.
Taft University was invited to participate in this pilot program and an
Application for Accreditation was filed on July 14, 2000. This action resulted
in the University becoming eligible for recognized accreditation for the first
time in its history. The process includes preparation of a self-evaluation
report by the University’s faculty and administration, a detailed review of
courses in the curriculum by subject experts selected by the accrediting body,
and a site visit by a team of experts selected by the accrediting body.

What is the status today 2002?

Is Taft now candidate for accreditation?

Thanks

[Mark Samson]

The University of Houston is seeking accreditation from ABET for their BS in
Computer Engineering. They make the fact that the degree is not currently
accredited by ABET but has stated that UH is seeking ABET's blessing.

Any school or accrediting body that doesn't want information about what
accreditation is being sought or who is doing the accrediting may be pulling the
wool over our eyes. I will concede that what the school says about the accrediting
body's rules may prevent the schools revelation in this matter. However, my
natural skepticism says if it doesn't look right or feel right it probably isn't.

Before investing your resources let them follow through first.

[John Bear]

The accreditor in question is DETC in Washington, and they do require that
schools involved in their process not announce that, for fear (based on prior
experiences) that schools will somehow imply that accreditation is imminent.

Taft has been a good guy in this field, and has one of the 2 or 3 best success
rates on the Baby Bar and Bar exams . . . and succeeded in their delightful legal
action against the World Association of Universities and Colleges.