I find it useful to make the distinction between "practical" knowledge and "theoretical" (or "pure") knowledge. For me, the term "academic" applies to the latter, more than the former.

If someone has an "academic" interest in a subject, I usually see that as meaning they are pursuing the information for the sake of the learning, rather than in pusuit of its application. Practical application comes later, when the academic base has been laid. In my experience, the degree that an "academic institution" bestows is a credential that has no more (or less) validity than real-life experience.

Taken at a very practical level, if a pipe bursts in my basement, I would prefer to hire an experienced plumber than a guy with a degree in hydro-physics (if there is such a thing), who has never held a pipe wrench.

As far as Mudcat as an academic institution, why not? I'm sure any certificate earned here would have more validity than those certs qualifying people to be ministers that we used to get through the mail in the 60's, to dodge the draft. I think the 'Cat also qualifies as a trade school, though - there is a lot of practical "nuts 'n bolts" information here, too.

Bart