DeVry 17

[TruthInSatire]

I'm looking into continuing my education. I have nothing but Highschool at this point but am currently doing very well as a self taught programmer. I realize I can't get far or be competative for long without a degree. I'm looking into going to DeVry for the Computer Information Systems (CIS) degree online.

As far as I know DeVry is a favorable place to hold a degree from. In my searching though I've found a bunch of bad press. DeVry the "Degree Mill",

http://www.ihatedevry.com

, credits don't transfer, worthless $60k degree, and so on. I'm thinking most if it is just a bunch of cry baby's that didn't get what they want because they didn't try or they can't sell themselvs or some other extinuating circumstances at DeVry that can't be considered rutine.

On the other hand the first time someone suggested DeVry to me the first thing i thought of was "its a vocational school." I told my dad he said, "you want to be a refrigerator repair man?" Is this how DeVry is thought of by the masses or are we just uneducated? hehe. I know they are accredited but i'm just wondering, after all is said and done, I tell a potential employer i have a degree from DeVry, how will they weigh it?

Thanks!

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[kHz]

Northwestern's graduate school is Kellogg. Depaul's graduate school is Kelstadt. Vanderbilt's graduate school is Owen. DeVry names their graduate school Keller, which I don't think is a coincidence in using a marketing technique to add legitimacy.

The cost of DeVry is higher than a state university. Some will claim it is because they are a "private" institution, yet I think you would find they are possibly even higher than a private university that is highly-rated by US News. Also, look at their fee schedule. They require insurance.

Insurance: All full-time students (those enrolled for 12 or more credit hours) must enroll annually in the group accident and sickness insurance plan unless otherwise insured.

Be aware that for-profit technical schools that offer bachelors degrees may not be transferable and may not be recognized for acceptance at graduate schools.

I think you would infer a hesitance on my part from my comments, which would be accurate. What you will get here are opinions (including mine). You should do your own research and come to your own conclusions.

 

[carrr]

http://www.ihatedevry.com/

Now, that's one authoritative source.

Here's an alternative view:

http://www.princetonreview.com/distance/devry_students.asp

I just read a Time article that talked about how "vocational" schools such as Devry, Keiser, et al. are enjoying a roughly 50% boom in enrollment. A lot of this might be attributed to the fact that "regular" college degrees are worth less and less. Maybe folks are looking at a cheaper/quicker/more comfortable option.

I went the long track and did the major university thing, though I will probably be ABD for life. Personally, I think there's no substitute for a "traditional" college degree, but I know many who have done well and gone far with the alternate.


Tired of waiting for an answer? Try asking better questions. See: faq222-2244

 

[carrr]

...and I totally agree with kHz...do your own research. And give very little weight to any source with "I hate" or "sucks" in its title.

Tired of waiting for an answer? Try asking better questions. See: faq222-2244

 

[CajunCenturion]

In its annual survey of America's Best Colleges 2005, numerous DeVry campuses are listed, but it seems that none were included in the rankings.

Good Luck
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[TruthInSatire]

Thanks everyone. I looked at the ranking. I'm assuming they aren't listed because

U.S. News ranking: International, specialized, and other institutions, unranked

due to the "specialized" part, not because they are a poor school.

I've been trying to do my own research, that's how I found the bad press. The only "pro-DeVry" I can find are typically from devry staff defending it from hate mongers, or Devry Ads.

I'm not totaly upset by the lack of great news because if you do well, great, that's what's expected no one says much, but if you do bad job everyone will kick and scream.

I don't give much weight to the "i hate devry" website. It's poor design, not professional and like i said, a bunch of cry babies.

any more comments are welcome. thank you.

A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.
-Douglas Adams (1952-2001)

 

[CajunCenturion]

due to the "specialized" part, not because they are a poor school.

Possibly, but it could also be they are considered in the "other" institutions category. They do have a section on Unranked Specialty Schools which does not include DeVry.

I do agree that you should not read that they are bad because they weren't ranked.

Good Luck
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[spamly]

Why don't you contact DeVry and see if you can speak to alumni. Find out what they think about their education and what kind of job they earned after graduation.

I'd personally steer away from a specialty school because I'm looking to get my masters degree at a recognizable and respected university. As others have pointed out, this may not be possible if you've earned an undergrads degree at DeVry. Then again, if you don't share the same concern as me, this won't be an issue.

 

[TruthInSatire]

Here is the degree I'm thinking of getting, "Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems".

http://www.devry.edu/online/program_cis_curr.html

Please forgive the ignorance but, if I get a degree from an accredited school, even a "specialized" one, what would prevent me from getting a masters? Assuming I choose to get one?

A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.
-Douglas Adams (1952-2001)

 

[BiggerDon]

I would advise serious caution. When I worked for a provincial government involved in student funding, we had DeVry under investigation for several reasons. Not to mention that at one point there was a class action suit by a couple of hunder DeVry grads who found out that, after spending upwards of $18K per year for their degrees, they basically had no marketable skills! My advice is simply DeVry = No!

 

[TruthInSatire]

Again some ignornace here. If they are accredited, which means they have to live up to certian standards, how do students leave with no marketable skills, while devry maintains accreditation?

A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.
-Douglas Adams (1952-2001)

 

[CajunCenturion]

Please keep in mind that not all DeVry programs are accredited. You need to check your specific program on a specific campus.

Good Luck
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As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[TruthInSatire]

Hmm.. good point. I looked [in more detail] at the accreditation page after you suggested it.

http://www.devry.edu/online/advantage_accreditation.html

I don't see the BS:CIS up there anywhere, and don't see anything online. I'm assuming that would make my degree choice pointless?

A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.
-Douglas Adams (1952-2001)

 

[Onyxpurr]

dang it!! i wish I had seen this topic before...

I am a Devry grad (BS in CIS in June 2003 at Phoenix) and a current Keller student.

My experience?

Great!! I am in a profession I love and get paid good money. I just recently had to switch jobs and was shocked at how quickly people wanted to offer me a job at good money.

Granted when I first started at Devry I was irritated with them. However I took a two year sabbatical and returned after they switched to university status. The difference? Trememndous! Much better organized and better professors. They seemed to have weeded out the professors I had a difficult time with.

The great thing about Devry was that I had all the technical school benefits (equal class and lab time with working professors and real world experience with my final project) with traditional university benefits (degree'd and good overall curriculum.)

Of course, everyone is different but I definately got out what I put in. I would highly recommend (and do) Devry University to anyone interested!!

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask...

 

[kHz]

if I get a degree from an accredited school, even a "specialized" one, what would prevent me from getting a masters?

Call a university graduate school that you think you would like to attend and ask them if they accept a technical school bachelor's degree.

Some of these "schools," such as "University" of Phoenix offer up to 60 hours of credit for "life learning." Beware. As I mentioned before, in another thread, an MBA is full of professionals with many years of work experience and are not offered credit for work experience.

I would also like to see a list of their instructors, along with their background. Every college/university has this information available for public access.

 

[Onyxpurr]

At Devry and Keller my instructors were quite impressive. my statistics teacher used to work for NASA on the Mars project. I had a Business Mgmnt teacher that worked side by side with Steve Jobs. This was not unusual...

 

[TruthInSatire]

So what good is a non-accredited degree?

Onyxpurr,
how do your employeers and potential employeers think of a devry degree in CIS?

A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.
-Douglas Adams (1952-2001)

 

[Onyxpurr]

Actually I've had a very good response from employers and co-workers. I know some employers that for the most part just hire Devry graduates.

I think right now what we're seeing is the difference from when it was a tech school to now. Devry turned University a few years ago. The curriculum changed only slightly to include general areas of education, however they also became more organized.

While although the Devry of yesteryear was still good, it wasn't nearly as good as it's become in the last few years. Also, now that they are university, they are trying to become more standard across different locations.

Yes, I have been aware of the website, devrysucks, for quite some while, but to tell you the truth I've never seen a univeristy that someone didn't like.

Also, I did the night/advanced program. I've always had a much better experience taking night classes than day. Instructors are more understanding and the student much more mature and serious about their eduation.

 

[TruthInSatire]

Thanks for the insite. I called my advisor last night to discuss the accreditation issue. She said the website wasn't accurate in that aspect. She's sending documentation on the CIS degree to show it's accredited along with the information to view on the accreditor (if that's a word). I think i've decided to go with devry. Thanks to all your replys.

A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.
-Douglas Adams (1952-2001)

 

[kHz]

An institution for higher learning with teaching and research facilities constituting a graduate school and professional schools that award master's degrees and doctorates and an undergraduate division that awards bachelor's degrees.

I don't think a for-profit entity matches the definition (above) of a university.