Just stabbing at this: From what I've been reading about college courses, they just take you through the confined water portion and written exam. You will still have to get your Open Water Check dives through somewhere else.
A "resort course" just teaches the basics. You are not a qualified Open Water diver after a "resort" course. You would have what is the equivalent of an Jr. O/W Cert. You still need a qualified D/M or Instrcutor with you each time you dove.
Dive Clubs: I'm not sure about these. But, I would think, the club would be associated with an organization (such as PADI or NAUI) and the instructor there would be the same as a LDS course.
And, of course, Associations are the "real deal" done through your Local Dive Store or resort. That would take you through everything from beginning to certified diver. | 
What is the best way to learn how to dive 
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