Clayton College

New Castle Ken · Dec 13, 2003

Originally posted by HannasMom
I am seriously thinking about taking a Certificate Program or The Bachelors in Natural Health at Clayton College. I completed an online course called Natural Health and Wellness and really enjoyed the course. It has brought about a real interest in Natural Health, for me. I thought about getting the Certificate to become a Herbal Professional, first then completing the Bachelors Degree in Natural Health. My hope is to become a Doctor of Naturopathy and open an office someday, maybe in my own home, as my sons are grown.

The reason, I want to complete the herbal course is because this area really interests me right now. Plus I love growing things, etc.

Renarian, you received your Masters through Clayton, is there a future in this? Any advise or suggestions? Anyone else complete a degree or certificate through Clayton College?

If this course is just for fun this is OK. However whenever taking college courses it is important to make sure the college is accredited by an agency that is approved by the Department of Education. This would not only include regional accreditation but professional accreditation. I do not know if Clayton is but I just checked DETC and they are not listed.

Individual courses toward a degree or certificate are a great way to earn continuing education hours to renew certifications and licenses. A transcript, certificate, or degree ends up being more valuable than a bunch of CEU certificates.

Erin RN · Dec 13, 2003

Unless Clayton has become accredited within the last year..they aren't. I looked at some of their classes just because I am very interested in alternative medicine as well but I decided spending the money for something that is not recognized was just too risky. There are some schools which offer holistic stuff that are accredited, I would look around..:) erin

klone, MSN, RN · Dec 24, 2003

Hi! I'm an herbalist, in addition to a nursing student. I can tell you that, in the arena of professional herbalists, Clayton is looked upon as a bit of a joke. They're considered a "diploma mill" and the ND "degree" is not worth the paper it's printed on, to be totally blunt.

Just like it's impossible to get an MD through correspondence, it's also impossible to get a real ND through correspondence.

In order to get an ND degree in order to actually work as a licensed Naturopath in those states which recognize NDs, you will have to go to an actual school. Some ND schools would be SW College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe AZ, Bastyr University in WA, Univ of Bridgeport in CT, or Natural College of Naturopathic Medicine in OR.

Hope this helps.

renerian, BSN, RN · Dec 24, 2003

They are accredited just not by traditional bodies. I have only had one company say they would not honor my BS/MS and they did not even like my ADN as it was from a technical college. It is a great program and I learned alot. I worked my heiny off and got each degree in one year but I read 98 books to do it. I am considering enrolling in the PhD program in 2004. I cannot say I have every heard anyone call it a joke??? I worked full time and did nothing for two years except work and study. LOL. I even took my homework to Virginia Beach and sat on the beach and studied.

I have consulted with home health and worked with docs on dietary plans and the docs loved it, so did the clients and so did the nurses who know very little about enzymes, antioxidants and things as such going down to the celluar levels of interactions and actions/reactions. I am planning on contracting with companies in the future for the like.I also have consulted with agencies on wound care healing and diet and have done studies to prove it has helped facilitate healing. I learned so much I cannot even place a value on my education. I enjoyed it very much and had great instructors and advisors. Much better than the attention I got in nursing school with a class of 500 students where you could not get an ounce of attention if your life depended on it. I got high honors in my BS and honors in my MS.

Just my thoughts LOL. Oh yes my income did a consider jump for a joke?? I am laughing my way to the bank. No one asked who gave their seal of approval either on my courses. I also did plenty of research papers, some with over 20 sources to complete them, did studies myself and did on line tests.

My BS/MS are in holistic nutrition. Oh by the way I worked full time over time and have 5 children-4 in college. It was very flexable and I could study at any time of the day or night. I would highly recommend it for me.

Can you tell I loved getting my degrees at Clayton!!

renerian:D

New Castle Ken · Dec 25, 2003

Originally posted by renerian
They are accredited just not by traditional bodies. I have only had one company say they would not honor my BS/MS and they did not even like my ADN as it was from a technical college. It is a great program and I learned alot. I worked my heiny off and got each degree in one year but I read 98 books to do it. I am considering enrolling in the PhD program in 2004. I cannot say I have every heard anyone call it a joke??? I worked full time and did nothing for two years except work and study. LOL. I even took my homework to Virginia Beach and sat on the beach and studied.

I have consulted with home health and worked with docs on dietary plans and the docs loved it, so did the clients and so did the nurses who know very little about enzymes, antioxidants and things as such going down to the celluar levels of interactions and actions/reactions. I am planning on contracting with companies in the future for the like.I also have consulted with agencies on wound care healing and diet and have done studies to prove it has helped facilitate healing. I learned so much I cannot even place a value on my education. I enjoyed it very much and had great instructors and advisors. Much better than the attention I got in nursing school with a class of 500 students where you could not get an ounce of attention if your life depended on it. I got high honors in my BS and honors in my MS.

Just my thoughts LOL. Oh yes my income did a consider jump for a joke?? I am laughing my way to the bank. No one asked who gave their seal of approval either on my courses. I also did plenty of research papers, some with over 20 sources to complete them, did studies myself and did on line tests.

My BS/MS are in holistic nutrition. Oh by the way I worked full time over time and have 5 children-4 in college. It was very flexable and I could study at any time of the day or night. I would highly recommend it for me.

Can you tell I loved getting my degrees at Clayton!!

renerian:D

Thanks for posting this message and I am glad that you are doing so well with your Clayton degrees. I am also happy to know that the degrees took a lot of effort and I wish you luck and success with your career.

In the US accreditation means that a degree, diploma, etc. is evaluated by a particular body (either regionally or by a professional group) that is an official accrediting agency approved by the Secretary of Education, Department of Education, Washington, DC. Any school or agency that claims that they are accredited or are an accrediting body without the approval of the DOE -- is not. Schools that claim accreditation from an agency that is not approved by the DOE are fraudulent. These schools all know this and should not claim accreditation from a bogus agency unless they are up front that the agency is not approved by DOE and should not mislead the public using the word accredited. I am all for non-traditional education (having written a book about it, having attended non-traditional schools, and having taught at unaccredited schools) but non-accredited schools should not claim accreditation unless they are.

Again I am happy to hear from someone who has been through Clayton's program and gained so much knowledge and benefited financially.

Ken

http://www.kbrownson.com

Erin RN · Dec 25, 2003

Ken

When I thought about furthering my education I looked all over the internet and I also bought a book that addressed accredidation. I found that quite a few schools actually state they are accredited but they actually are their own accediting agency. How do they get away with that? Just curious.

Erin

New Castle Ken · Dec 25, 2003

Originally posted by Erin RN
Ken

When I thought about furthering my education I looked all over the internet and I also bought a book that addressed accredidation. I found that quite a few schools actually state they are accredited but they actually are their own accediting agency. How do they get away with that? Just curious.

Erin

Every so often the FBI or postal service do a major sting investigation and close down bogus schools and agencies. However, when the heat dies down the schools and agencies open up again. It is costly to investigate and prosecute each one so the time is self limiting. There are schools that are unaccredited but very respectable, however respectable ones do not claim accreditation from bogus accrediting agencies.

renerian, BSN, RN · Dec 25, 2003

I did some checking around with schools before enrolling at Clayton. I wanted to do distance with Ohio University. I drove several hours to get there and LOL they told me since I attended a techincal college for my ADN they would not give me any credit for it and I would have to enroll as a freshman LOL and take all 60 some hours over LOL. I quickly laughed and left.

Thanks Ken. It has been a great boon to me. I did not sign up for career advancement, I did it for me, just for me as nutrition is fascinating to me. I now feel my education has made me realize the complex chain reactions of food and body enzymes and how each nutrient, vitamin, mineral and food source changes the chemistry in your body, cell to cell. Awesome program.

Have a blessed holiday,

renerian:D