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| '''Almeda University''' is an |
'''Almeda University''' is an Accredited ] institution of higher learning that offers various degrees through online courses via it's distance learning program. | ||
| Almeda University |
Almeda University is accredited by the Association for Online Academic Excellence (AOAEX). As such, its degrees may not be acceptable to employers or other institutions, and use of degree titles may be restricted or illegal in some jurisdictions. | ||
| It has recently been listed for sale in ]. | |||
| ==Accreditation and legality== | ==Accreditation and legality== | ||
| Legally, Almeda University is a corporation registered on the Caribbean island of ]. <ref name="almeda-pp"/> | |||
| ⚫ | Almeda is accredited by Interfaith Education Ministries (IEM) and the Association for Online Academic Excellence (AOAEX); <ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.almedacollege.org/certification-accreditation.html | title= Almeda University-Certifications and accreditations | publisher=Almeda University | date=2006 | first= | last= | accessdate = 2006-08-18}}</ref> neither is recognized by the ] or the ].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.chea.org | title=Accreditation Database and Information | publisher=] | date= | first= | last= | accessdate = 2006-08-18}}</ref> |
||
| *'''Connecticut:''' According to the Connecticut Department of Higher Education, Almeda was ordered to cease operating in Connecticut in October, 2001. After an investigation in 2002 indicated that Almeda was continuing to advertise its programs in Connecticut, the Department of Higher Education sent Almeda a second cease and desist letter, and referred the issue to the Connecticut Attorney General for possible legal action.<ref name=CT_DHE>{{cite web| | |||
| | url = http://www.ctdhe.org/info/pdfs/ReportUnlicensedSchools.pdf | |||
| | title = Actions against unlicensed colleges and | |||
| private occupational schools in Connecticut | |||
| Fall 2001-Spring 2003 | |||
| | publisher = Connecticut Department of Higher Education | |||
| | accessdate = 2007-01-17}}</ref> | |||
| *'''Florida:''' In 2003 the Florida Department of Education made an agreement with Almeda to cease operating in the state. Although Floridians can still get a degree from the online university, Almeda warns Floridians that its degrees are not legal in that state and should be considered of "novelty value only."<ref name="NBC2">{{cite news | |||
| | url = http://www.nbc-2.com/Articles/readarticle.asp?articleid=7965&z=3&p= | |||
| | title = University not recognized by state of Florida | |||
| | publisher = NBC2 | |||
| | date = 2006-07-17 | |||
| | first = Kathryn | |||
| | last = Simmons | |||
| | accessdate = 2006-08-18}}</ref> | |||
| *'''Texas:''' Almeda is also on the Texas list of "Fraudulent or Substandard Institutions", making it illegal to use an Almeda degree in Texas in an advertisement; to get a job, promotion, raise, or license; to get admitted to an educational program; or to gain many positions in government.<ref name=tx-fraudnotx">{{cite web| | |||
| | url = http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/AAR/PrivateInstitutions/fraudnotx.cfm | |||
| | title = Fraudulent or Substandard Institutions with No Known Texas Connection | |||
| | publisher = Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board | |||
| | accessdate = 2006-10-04}}</ref> | |||
| *'''Other states:''' Almeda's website also warns Almeda degrees are not legal in Illinois, Oregon, New Jersey, North Dakota, Washington, and Idaho, as well as Florida, and that Almeda degrees therefore have only "novelty value" in those states as well.<ref name="almeda-pp">{{cite web | |||
| | url = https://almedauniversity.org/application/policy-procedure.html | |||
| | title = Almeda Policies and Procedures | |||
| | accessdate = 2006-10-04}}</ref> | |||
| ==Commentaries== | |||
| Almeda's academic standards have been criticized by a variety of education traditionalists. According to ''Bear's Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning'', Almeda College and University is a "nonwonderful" <ref>], Maria Bear (2003-01-01). ''Bear's Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning.'' pp. 59 Ten Speed Press, 215. ISBN 1-58008-431-1.</ref> web-only University that offers degrees based on an assessment of a candidate's "life experience." Bear notes that Almeda states that it is accredited by the Association for Online Academic Excellence, but that that association is itself unrecognized. <ref>Bear, John, Maria Bear (2003-01-01). ''Bear's Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning.'' pp. 187 Ten Speed Press, 215. ISBN 1-58008-431-1.</ref> | |||
| In 2004, the CBS affiliate in Albany, NY ran a report on Almeda that featured Peter Brancato, who filled out an application for an associate degree on behalf of his dog, Wally. Part of the "life experience" listed on the application, was "Plays with the kids every day...teaches them to interact better with each other...Teaches them responsibilities like feeding the dog." Almeda granted Wally an ] in Childhood Development, with a course list including European culture, college algebra, US history, and public speaking. <ref name="CBS6">{{cite news | url=http://www2.wrgb.com/iteam/investigation/investigation.asp?selection=article_23366 | title=Degrees for Sale | publisher=CBS6 | date=February 19, 2004 | first= | last= | accessdate = 2006-08-18}}</ref> In reply, Almeda claims Brancato perjured himself by creating a false identity, including a fabricated name and date of birth. They write, "He completed an application that included a background of the following: Eight-years tutoring pre-K children, curriculum design and development, teaching coping skills, and volunteer coaching." <ref name="Perjury to prove a point?">{{cite web | url=http://almedauniversity.org/press-release.html | title=Perjury to prove a point | publisher=Almeda University | accessdate = 2006-10-20}}</ref> | |||
| In 2005, '']'' included Almeda University in an article about ] and ].<ref name="wired">{{cite news | url=http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,66476,00.html | title=Database Fights Diploma Mills | publisher=] | date=Feb, 02, 2005 | first=Ryan | last=Singel | accessdate = 2006-08-18}}</ref> | |||
| In 2006, a Naples, Florida, police officer was required to pay back a salary increase based on a degree from Almeda. <ref name="NBC2" /> Two Naples, Florida, police officers were fired after investigation showed they bought diplomas from Almeda University.<ref name="NBC2-fired">{{cite news | |||
| | url = http://www.nbc-2.com/articles/readarticle.asp?articleid=7960&z=3&p= | |||
| | title = Police officers fired over fake degrees | |||
| | author = Kara Kenney | |||
| | publisher = NBC2 | |||
| | date = 2006-07-17 | |||
| | accessdate = 2006-10-04 | |||
| }}</ref> On October 28, 2006, both officers were given their jobs back with back pay, but received 10-day suspensions and were required to take an ethics course before the end of the year. | |||
| <ref>{{cite news | |||
| | url = http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2006/oct/28/two_naples_officers_get_jobs_back/?local_news | |||
| | title = Officers fired for online degrees rehired | |||
| | author = Ryan Mills | |||
| | publisher = Naples Daily News | |||
| | date = 2006-10-28 | |||
| }}</ref> | |||
| In the United States, accreditation is used to assure quality in educational institutions and programs. Accreditation is a voluntary, non-governmental process of peer review. It requires an educational institution or program to meet certain defined standards or criteria. Accreditation is sometimes confused with certification. In general, institutions and programs are accredited, and individuals are certified. | |||
| According to ] (BBB) records, the Boise, Idaho address listed for Almeda University is a UPS store (private mail box). Almeda University offered to provide their physical location to the BBB provided the BBB would not make it public. According to the BBB, the ] told them that the mail is forwarded to Boca Raton, Florida. While the Better Business Bureau provides reports on Almeda University, Almeda is not a paid member of the BBB.<ref name="BBB">{{cite news | |||
| | url = http://www.data.bbb.org/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=boise/boise/showrpt.html?bis=n&zid=USHnGhIfSg | |||
| | title = Better Business Bureau (BBB) Reliability Report for Almeda University | |||
| | publisher=] | |||
| | accessdate = 2006-10-14}}</ref> | |||
| There are two types of accreditation: institutional and specialized. Institutional accreditors, such as those referred to as "regional" accreditors, examine the college or university as a whole educational institution. Specialized accreditors evaluate specific educational programs. Professional accreditors, such as those for medicine, law, architecture and engineering, fall into this category. | |||
| According to the online shopping reliability tracking service, ePublicEye.com, since 2001, customers of Almeda have reported high levels of satisfaction in such categories as "on-time delivery" and "customer privacy."<ref name="Customer Satisfaction Ratings">{{cite web | url=http://pe.epubliceye.com/fl/report.cfm?key=17680&lang=english | title=Customer Satisfaction Rating | publisher=ePublicEye | accessdate = 2006-10-30}}</ref> | |||
| The Association for Online Academic Excellence (AOAEX) is a professional accrediting organization that evaluates and offers accreditation to various programs and institutes — specifically those in the distance-learning arena. Unlike many other accrediting bodies, the AOAEX accreditation has been conferred upon Almeda for their honesty and integrity in business practices and the value of the acceptability of their diploma process. It is not an examination of their courses or online academic studies. | |||
| ==References== | |||
| <div class="small"> | |||
| <references /> | |||
| </div> | |||
| The AOAEX is not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as one of the seven official regional accrediting agencies. This non-recognition may have some implications to include, but not limited to: | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| 1. Almeda University is unable to participate in the Federal Student Loan/Financial Aid program. | |||
| == External links == | |||
| 2. Almeda University is not authorized to accept the GI Bill. | |||
| 3. Almeda University is unable to guarantee acceptance of its degree programs in other postsecondary institutions. | |||
| 4. Corporations are not required to recognize degrees from Almeda University. | |||
| The majority of their graduates are attracted to Almeda due to its strong reputation for rewarding professional achievement through life experience credit. Without this process, it would exclude many of their current applicants from admission, which makes applying for regional accreditation under its current conditions impractical. As they continue to expand, they continually evaluate their corporate strategy regarding accreditation. They may elect to remain autonomous from regional accreditation in order to maintain their current programming, or they may elect to seek regional accreditation if they determine it to be in the best interests of their students. | |||
| * in the United States | |||
| * 10/14/2006 | |||
| ⚫ | Almeda is accredited by Interfaith Education Ministries (IEM) and the Association for Online Academic Excellence (AOAEX). Almeda recommends that all prospective applicants check with their potential employer to determine their policies on acceptance of degrees from private postsecondary institutions with AOAEX accreditation.; <ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.almedacollege.org/certification-accreditation.html | title= Almeda University-Certifications and accreditations | publisher=Almeda University | date=2006 | first= | last= | accessdate = 2006-08-18}}</ref> neither is recognized by the ] or the ].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.chea.org | title=Accreditation Database and Information | publisher=] | date= | first= | last= | accessdate = 2006-08-18}}</ref> | ||
| ] | |||
Revision as of 02:21, 8 March 2007
Almeda University is an Accredited American institution of higher learning that offers various degrees through online courses via it's distance learning program.
Almeda University is accredited by the Association for Online Academic Excellence (AOAEX). As such, its degrees may not be acceptable to employers or other institutions, and use of degree titles may be restricted or illegal in some jurisdictions.
Accreditation and legality
In the United States, accreditation is used to assure quality in educational institutions and programs. Accreditation is a voluntary, non-governmental process of peer review. It requires an educational institution or program to meet certain defined standards or criteria. Accreditation is sometimes confused with certification. In general, institutions and programs are accredited, and individuals are certified.
There are two types of accreditation: institutional and specialized. Institutional accreditors, such as those referred to as "regional" accreditors, examine the college or university as a whole educational institution. Specialized accreditors evaluate specific educational programs. Professional accreditors, such as those for medicine, law, architecture and engineering, fall into this category.
The Association for Online Academic Excellence (AOAEX) is a professional accrediting organization that evaluates and offers accreditation to various programs and institutes — specifically those in the distance-learning arena. Unlike many other accrediting bodies, the AOAEX accreditation has been conferred upon Almeda for their honesty and integrity in business practices and the value of the acceptability of their diploma process. It is not an examination of their courses or online academic studies.
The AOAEX is not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as one of the seven official regional accrediting agencies. This non-recognition may have some implications to include, but not limited to:
1. Almeda University is unable to participate in the Federal Student Loan/Financial Aid program. 2. Almeda University is not authorized to accept the GI Bill. 3. Almeda University is unable to guarantee acceptance of its degree programs in other postsecondary institutions. 4. Corporations are not required to recognize degrees from Almeda University.
The majority of their graduates are attracted to Almeda due to its strong reputation for rewarding professional achievement through life experience credit. Without this process, it would exclude many of their current applicants from admission, which makes applying for regional accreditation under its current conditions impractical. As they continue to expand, they continually evaluate their corporate strategy regarding accreditation. They may elect to remain autonomous from regional accreditation in order to maintain their current programming, or they may elect to seek regional accreditation if they determine it to be in the best interests of their students.
Almeda is accredited by Interfaith Education Ministries (IEM) and the Association for Online Academic Excellence (AOAEX). Almeda recommends that all prospective applicants check with their potential employer to determine their policies on acceptance of degrees from private postsecondary institutions with AOAEX accreditation.; neither is recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
- "Almeda University-Certifications and accreditations". Almeda University. 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
- "Accreditation Database and Information". Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Retrieved 2006-08-18.