As an academic counselor at Ventura College, I am not surprised in the least to hear about the problems at Brooks Institute of Photography. The misrepresentations about future earnings are legendary. However, there is an even more serious issue that has not been discussed in The Star.
Brooks is not accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and therefore is not a fully accredited school in the United States.
 
As you may know, there are many different levels of accreditation. WASC, or regional accreditation, is the highest level and is the level that California State University, University of California and most reputable independent colleges have been awarded.

Without WASC accreditation, the degree or units earned at a school will not be respected as valid by other accredited schools. So, for example, a person attending Brooks would not be able to come to Ventura College and have any of their units count for credit here. It could affect their ability to get into graduate  school at a regionally accredited college, get into a credential program or a teaching job. It is, therefore, hugely important that students are aware if their school is regionally accredited by WASC.
Brooks has routinely skirted this issue with students. I have a colleague who went to their orientation and asked, “Is this an accredited school?” and Brooks said, “Yes.” Well, technically, they are, but not by WASC, and therefore it is a deceptive answer. Students and parents do not know to ask the next question, “Are you regionally accredited?” and therefore leave the meeting with a false sense of security. 
 
Last semester I saw three students burst into tears over this. Can you imagine their frustration? Brooks told them the college was going to be accredited in the future. I called Brooks myself and asked if this was true, and they said they had no plans to get WASC accreditation.   
     
I am primarily writing to warn students and parents to always check if the college they are attending is regionally accredited, especially if it is an art college or out-of-state college. Although many fine schools are not regionally accredited, I would not want to spend the money or the time earning a degree that would not be recognized in the future if I changed my goals.

— Paulette Johnson, Camarillo