College Credit and accreditation

[Capt Grumby]

Ok, so my job pays for me to take college classes and will pay for a career-type certification (one-time good deal). I am wracking my brain trying to figure out how I can get them to pay for all of my scuba-type certifications (and the dives that go along with them) so I can buy more gear.
My question is, what group (PADI, NAUI, SSI, GUE, etc, ad nauseum) has ACE accredited classes for their certifications, and what are they? I know ACE has recommended almost all of PADI's stuff for credit.
As a secondary question, is there anyone who has been able to get their employer to do this? If so, I would love to hear what kind of a spin you put on it to make it happen. I can take up to $4500 a year in "college classes" and would like to roll that into some serious bottom time if I can.

 

[daniel f aleman]

Call Commercial Diving Academy in Jacksonville - they have accredited scuba programs, including NAUI Instructor. Hall's in Marathon, EASE in Vero Beach. At least you'll get the info...

 

[Capt Grumby]

The only problem with that suggestion is that they are all resident classes. I need something that is local and I can do in addition to my full time job. However, i do apprieciate the input.

 

[daniel f aleman]

Hmmm... well, Pensacola has diving out the wazoo, lotsa' Navy personnel; or is that too far away? Pensacola Community College, and Pensacloa Junior College may offer diving classes through the Kinesiology Dept.

Or, try Okaloosa-Walton Community College, they should, at least, have the info that you need.

 

[Capt Grumby]

True enough! I hadn't thought of looking at PCC or PJC. I am about 30-45 minutes away from Pepsi-Cola and could easily drive there for class (if it involved getting wet!). Thanks.

 

[Meister481]

PADI! All the info in supplied link-

http://www.padi.com/english/common/courses/credit/ace.asp

 

[diveman7683]

Here's a link for SSI

http://www.ssiusa.com/diver_ace.htm

 

[neil]

There are many outside agencies that review courses for colleges, and ACE is but one of them. Any number of universities offer NAUI courses for credit, so don't get hung up on the ACE issue. Colleges decide what they give credit for. If you find a local school giving diving courses for credit, go for it.
I assume by "career type" course you mean an instructor course or a commercial diving school. Is this anywhere near you? http://www.barry.edu/hpls/default.htm
I met the woman who runs the dive program at DEMA and it looks like a great dive industry program. Good luck.
Neil

 

[Capt Grumby]

Unfortunantly, it isn't me that is hung up on "ACE", but my employer. They will only pay for nationally accredited classes, so that leaves out many of the courses that a local college may accept for credit in one of their degree programs.
I did just look at the Barry University link you posted. It looks very exciting, but outside of my range at this point. Thanks for the info.

 

[diverdown247]

Here's the key for this scenario:

If your employer will pay for a Bachelor's degree, you may have a loophole. Dive classes are considered "elective" classes with most colleges. IF you can take the class through an accredited college/university, then there shouldn't be a problem getting them to pay for it, provided your employer will pay for a degree.

If you don't have an accredited college near by that offers scuba, find out if your employer will cover independent study, provided the college will allow you to get credit for diving as independent study. Some may only allow it as a transfer credit if they do not offer it through their college.

The university I work for offers the course through a LDS, accepts it as independent study, and works the transfer credits for dive courses provided they have an ACE criteria already written. My employer would not cover the continuing education courses, but offered to allow them for meeting promotion criteria since the university accepted them as transfer credits.