"This intelligent, practical book responds accurately to the situation in American education today."-Stuart Brand, Whole Earth Review
"One of the liveliest and most entertaining college guides around. Breezy, erudite and amusing, Bears' Guide remains the best source of information on nontraditional education."-The Omaha World Herald
"In the area of nontraditional education and related issues, Dr. John Bear has no peer."-Joyce Lain Kennedy, Nationally Syndicated Columnist
"Bears' Guide has established itself as the authoritative guide to this field and is the only one libraries need." -Wilson Library Bulletin
"For a reliable guide to this invisible and confusing world, get Dr. John Bear's Guide."-Dr. Adele Scheele, King Features Syndicate
"If this book does nothing except steer you away from the charlatans of education and toward the schools where an accredited degree can be earned in a non-traditional way, it is worth the investment."-Journal of Placement
"Libraries that already have a copy of Bears' Guide should stick with that book, which lists several hundred schools . . ."-Library Journal
"Just a short note of thanks. In September, I was granted the B.S. degree, thus ending my 26-year quest for the degree." -Arnold W. Scheu, Oklahoma
"I read it cover to cover, making many notations to share with others. Your book is genuinely terrific, and I have told our business office to order six more copies, so that all of our guidance staff will have one."-Lanny Reinhardt, school counselor, New Jersey
"Thanks to you, I received my Ph.D. in theology and religion last September. I am extremely grateful to you."-Col. Leslie P. Albus (USA, Ret.), North Dakota
"I am pleasantly surprised to find that your book is everything you promised. Thank you for your straightforward and honest presentation with fine motivation. Most of the time, self-help books seem to state the obvious without the guts to give advice. Yours is the exception."-Doug Hinton, California
"In my quest for an alternative degree program, I sent many letters and acquired a number of materials. Nothing I received measured up to your complete and comprehensive book."-Dean L. Lapham, Minnesota
"A constituent asked if what you are doing is legitimate. I checked your book, a copy of which is kept for reference at the Library of Congress, and assured the constituent that your efforts are not only legal, but a valuable public service as well."-Office of Congressman Dan Marriot of Utah
"I cannot express how much I was delighted and pleased when I read your book. I was skeptical before, but now I believe in what you have done."-Orlando B. Wilson, Ohio
"My office uses your book as a reference. Please continue to assist those of us in professional education . . . "-Linda Camp, Chief, Admissions, Air University (Department of the Air Force)
"My job and army experience were accepted for most of the requirements. With a small amount of new work, I earned my Ph.D. in electrical engineering totally by correspondence."-Roger Blayney, Massachusetts
"Very reluctantly, earlier this year, I ordered a copy of your book. It has, however, turned out to be exactly what I wanted: a serious evaluation of the non-traditional degree situation from the point of view of someone who really knows the academic world. Thank you."-Brother Guy Roddy, New York
"I wonder how many other people there are, like me, who had just about given up hope of finishing my degree. You have given me a new lease on life." -Joe Fanughetti, Virginia
"What I learned from your book saved me precisely $9,200 in the course of earning my accredited bachelor's degree, entirely by correspondence. Thank you for your expertise."-A. A. Curran, Montana
"I am a walking testimonial to you, your book, and your methodology. I have earned three degrees at home; working on the fourth."-Millicent Arthur, Toronto, Canada
"I was on the verge of enrolling in an MBA program that would have cost me over $25,000. From your book, I learned of a much better (for me) MBA that costs a fourth as much, and can be done entirely by home study. Your book saved me $19,000. Can I at least buy you lunch?"-Andrew McMillan, Arizona
Bachelor's Degree in Three Months Sergeant Robert R. serves in his state's National Guard. To qualify for officer candidate school, he needed a Bachelor's degree. He had never been to college a day in his life. Dealing with a fully accredited state school he learned about in Bears' Guide, the Sergeant was given more than 50 units of credit for various military and civilian learning experiences and skills. Then he studied for, and passed two three-and-a-half hour examinations, which earned him the rest of the credits he needed to earn the Bachelor's degree with no further work required. Total elapsed time, start to finish: 12 weeks. Total cost: under $2,000.
Nonresident Doctorate Under Unusual Circumstances Gary M. was an inmate in a Federal prison. After earning his Bachelor's and Master's degrees by correspondence, he decided to pursue a Doctorate in counseling and psychology. From Bears' Guide, he learned of a major internationally-recognized university that offers degrees of all kinds through guided independent study. After two years of study, plus writing and defending a thesis (representatives of the university came to the prison), Gary earned his Ph.D.--and soon after that, because of his extraordinary performance, earned his parole. He is now a psychologist in private practice.
Rural Woman Earns Correspondence Master's Marina Bear, wife of the author of Bears' Guide, was living in a remote rural town, more than 100 miles from the nearest university or decent library. With three small children to care for, attending school regularly was out of the question. Not only had 20 years passed since she earned her Bachelor's, she wished to change fields, from English literature to philosophy. From Bears' Guide, she learned of a totally nonresident M.A. offered by a large state university. Working at her own pace, taking correspondence courses as time permitted, she slowly completed the necessary work, interacting with her professors by mail and, occasionally, telephone. After writing a short thesis, she earned her accredited Master's degree, and later completed her Ph.D.at Vanderbilt University.
World-Class MBA; No Bachelor's Required Wendy M. never finished her college degree, but an MBA was her goal and dream. She anticipated four years for the Bachelor's, then two more for the MBA. From Bears' Guide, she learned about a major international university whose MBA by home study does not require a Bachelor's. After 18 months of part-time study, plus locally-taken supervised exams, Wendy had earned her world-class MBA, having saved 4 1/2 years of study!
Mid-Life Career Change and a New Doctorate Bernie K. was a successful professional musician and recording engineer, but after twenty-five years in the profession, he was bored, and longing for a new career direction. He had always been interested in whales and dolphins, and wondered about the possibility of a career in marine biology. From Bears' Guide, he found an accredited Ph.D. program especially designed for mid-life career change. While remaining fully employed, he attended 35 days of classes and seminars held near his home. The rest of the time, he worked independently, with the guidance of a committee of experts he chose himself. Instead of a traditional dissertation, he created a research project demonstrating creativity in his new field. His Ph.D. was awarded soon after, and he has found prompt and rewarding employment as a marine biologist.
Floridian Creates Her Own Degree Program Clara E. is a master weaver. In addition to creating impressive rugs, capes, and other products, she teaches weaving to disturbed and disadvantaged teenagers and adults. She has found that, just as dance therapy and music therapy can have dramatic impact on the life situations of many people, so can weaving therapy. Clara was eager to earn professional credentials, but no school offers a program in weaving therapy. From Bears' Guide, Clara learned of a university that would work with her in devising a personalized degree program. Entirely by correspondence, Clara earned a Master's and later a Doctorate in counseling with a major in weaving therapy. With this degree, she acquired a state license to practice as a therapist, which she is now happily doing.
Minister Barely Avoids Disaster The Reverend Barrett J. saw an ad in USA Today for a respectable-sounding university offering Doctorates based on life experience. After he read their impressive-looking catalog, he was on the verge of sending them several thousand dollars when he bought a copy of Bears' Guide, and learned that the school in question is an illegal diploma mill. Not only did he save $2,300 and avoid potential embarrassment, he was able to find a legitimate Bible school that was willing to award him their respectable Doctorate for a fee of less than $1,000.
California Man Earns Law Degree by Mail Tom L. had long felt that a law degree would be of great value to him. A deeper understanding of the laws of marketing, advertising, banking, and international trade would be helpful in his business, and as a lawyer, he could help others with their needs and problems. But even if Tom had the time to take three years off and go to law school, there are few traditional schools that admit middle-aged students. From Bears' Guide, Tom selected a correspondence school. After four years of part-time study, while running his business full time, he passed the California Bar Exam, and is now a practicing attorney. His total cost: less than one year's tuition at a traditional law school.
