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Rating: 
Summary: Use As a Starting Point Only
Review: I bought this book for one reason and one reason only: to get a list of addresses and contact information for accredited graduate schools and programs that might interest me (the other information in the book I have essentially disregarded and have not used). I got that, so in that sense, I am satisfied. My goal is a quality, part-time, part-residency MBA. The hardest part of researching these programs is finding out which schools offer them. In that sense this is a good book as it lists those schools in a much more concise format that does a comprehensive guide like Peterson's MBA Programs, which also includes traditional, full time degrees. I do know that Dr. Bear has been disparaged for being affiliated with several diploma mills in the past, and is frequently savaged in reviews and on the internet. I do not know or claim to know of all of Dr. Bear's current and former dealings, but if you use this book simply as a listing and starting point for further research, it could be a useful resource. I would always do due diligence on my own, finding out detailed program and accreditation information before considering a school or program further. My recommendation for others interested in graduate degrees would be to consult with a Peterson's guide, like I have, as the single best source of information in book form. There are certainly a lot of well known and reputable schools in the Bear's Guide, but there are others I have never heard of. Like anything else, buyer beware: do the research on your own.
Rating: 
Summary: The best distance education book on the market!
Review: It's interesting to read a couple of the reviews here. If the reviewers have actually read the book, then my only conclusion can be that they are not particularly bright. This is one of those books that has changed the lives of countless readers. Note that this is the 13th edition! Dr. Bear provides information that has led to (at least) thousands of people continuing their educations. No, this book is not meant for everyone nor is it meant to be. No, the Ivy League isn't doing much in distance education (yet). However, Dr. Bear has taken a long, hard look at those programs out there and has given his opinion on them. Will his opinion disagree with U.S. News and World Report? Probably, because the USN&WR is looking primarily at on-campus programs. Based on this book and his other books, I'd trust Dr. Bear more than USN&WR any day of the week. I own an earlier edition of the book and will quite likely buy the next edition. If you want to get your degree, but can't or don't want to spend a lot of time on campus, this is the book for you!
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book on Non-Traditional Education, Bar None
Review: This book has helped thousands of people, including me, attain educational goals they never thought possible. I dropped out of traditional college my first semester to join the Army, and I never would have completed college without the guidance from this book. In addition to an exhaustive list of both accredited and non-accredited schools, the book lists sources of gaining credit by non-traditional means (correspondence courses, life experience, exams, etc.), and chapters on schools to avoid (degree mills), honarary degrees, titles, and much more. Anyone who disparages this book is either a graduate of a "less-than-wonderful" school with an axe to grind, or a hopeless traditionalist desperately clinging to the old way of doing things. Dr. Bear should be commended for his good work
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