As another former instructor for IADT Pittsburgh, I also feel it to be pertinent to speak the truth about the occurences behind the doors of IADT Pittsburgh.
I'll begin by stating that the instructors are indeed extremely dedicated to the students, and further empathetic to the needs and expecations of these students. I myself am a well recognized expert in the criminal justice field with teaching creditions and adjunct priveleges at 4 major universities and colleges, as well as both local police academies. I have taught in the field for several years and hold expertise specifically in the areas that I taught while employed at IADT.
Upon being hired at IADT Pittsburgh, I, like many of my students was led to believe that the Justice Technology program was an associates level program. Being that I have taught in both undergraduate and graduate programs I would expect a college that is actively recruiting students to be organized enough to be able to obtain accrediation to offer degrees. This is not the case at IADT Pittsburgh. The program was initially advertised as an associates level program and it wasn't until the college failed it's accreditation review that the program was relabeled as a "diploma" program. Many students enrolled thinking that they were getting a degree that in reality was never guaranteed. (I spoke in person with at least 75% of my students regarding this issue).
At my interview I was met by a nice gentelman who was very professional and talked the school up remarkably well. It wasn't until later that I realized he was the department head of the Justice Technology program. The man has no formal criminal justice, police, and/or security training yet he was running the department and telling me how to present material that I had expertise in and he knew nothing about. It doesn't end there. The administration, specifically the education director and the head of another Visual Communications program repeatedly and consistently attempted to run the justice techology program.instructors with many years of teaching experience walked out and many were never asked to return because their views were not "consistent with out business practices".
While teaching I was routinely interrupted by instructors form graphics art and visual communications programs and on several occaissions had to present class material in rooms designed for arts and computer animation. (I taught various criminal law and forensic classes.in addition I served as a forensics/crime lab instructor. My first semester teaching the forensics class was in essence useless because I was not provided with the materials and laboratory supplies that I needed to teach. To further display the poor planning of the administration of this school, the "Crime Lab" was not opened until the middle of the semester and ALL of my first semester students lost out on experiments because I had no lab and no supplies.
Many times I had students pulled out of my classes to meet with administrators over "extremely critical" issues only to find out that thier financial aid hadn't cleared.
I witnessed an instructor being disciplined for attempting to seperate 2 students who were fist fighting in a class while that classes instructor stood around cluelessly. The instructor who intervened was a police officer with full jurisdication in the school and was threatened with termination for intervening. I would assume that the administration would wish to protect the students and faculty but obviously finances are all that matter.
In my fourth semester teaching the school hired a new department head who had limited criminal justice background. (He worked as an investigator for the attorney generals office). The man is the most pompous and ignorant man I've ever met. He went so far as to tell my students the he is "The best police officer you've ever met. You don't need to listen to anyone in this school but me". The man never served a day in a police officers uniform yet he claims to be the best!?!?!?!? Sounds like impersonation to me.
I recently viewed a commercial for the program on the TV. It stated that students would recieve training qualifying them for entry as police officers, evidence technicians, or security technicians.
I'll begin by addressing the dishonesty of these statements. First, to become a police officer you must complete 750 hours of training at an accreditted police academy. IADT IS NOT a police academy, nor does it have any affiliation with one whatsoever. I know because I teach for both of the local academies.
Second, what exactly is an evidence technician? I've worked in law enforcement for over 10 years and have never met an "evidence technician" The only people I know of who investigate crimes and process crime scenes are POLICE OFFICERS! Furthermore, to work for a coroner, or other non-sworn division you would need a specialized degree in biology, chemistry, nursing, or licensure as a funeral director. I don't know where IADT thinks it's going to employ students in "Evidence Technology" when the field does not exist.
Finally, while teaching I was approached by many students who were misled into believing that the would be eligible for top paying government positions in such agencies as the FBI, CIA, state police, etc. Not one of the students had any clue that additional schooling or training were required. Many stated that they were specifically told by the education director (again a woman with no formal police education) that they would qualify for these jobs.
Please, read all the reports on here carefully, those written by students, and by us faculty. IADT is not about education, it is about making profits by whatever means possible, even if it is at the expense of the students.
DO NOT ATTEND IADT PITTSBURGH. It is cheaper and a much wiser decision to attend a community college then transfer into a four year institution.
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