The difference then is scope of instruction. I think high quality certification programs are quite valuable to the market and properly run ones but trusted institutions are a benefit for the institution and the marketplace.
Classic cry of the people who want to regulate and control everything.
Maybe if the certificate is worthless, the students will figure it out? Maybe by doing a little research before they invest their money and time.
I know that for a course to be eligible for government reimbursement under any program (job training, GI Bill, etc.) the government has to investigate it. So presumably the bad ones are either already ineligible, or someone's not doing their job.
If every tom dick and harry has a stanford cert in their resume, the value of the brand diminishes. so, you are from stanford, big deal, i got a certification too.
You were thinking of Hermes/Chanel instead of Coach. Even LV and Gucci aren't in the same league as these.
Also, all of these are part of what I call the "Franko-Italian Fashion Cartel".