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Almeda University is an American institution of higher learning that offers an MBA program through online courses, doctorate degrees in religion and theology, a "Life Experience Degree," and an online certificate program.

Almeda University is accredited by the Association for Online Academic Excellence (AOAEX);

It has recently been listed for sale in Boise, Idaho.

Accreditation and legality

Legally, Almeda University is a corporation registered on the Caribbean island of Nevis.

Almeda is accredited by Interfaith Education Ministries (IEM) and the Association for Online Academic Excellence (AOAEX);

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" 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.

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 Associate's degree in Childhood Development, with a course list including European culture, college algebra, US history, and public speaking. 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."

In 2005, Wired News included Almeda University in an article about school accreditation and diploma mills.

In 2006, a Naples, Florida, police officer was required to pay back a salary increase based on a degree from Almeda. Two Naples, Florida, police officers were fired after investigation showed they bought diplomas from Almeda University. 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.

External links

• Database for Accreditation in the United States
• City manager hears arguments in ex-officers' firings 10/14/2006

1. Cite error: The named reference almeda-pp was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
2. "Almeda University-Certifications and accreditations". Almeda University. 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
3. Bear, John, 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.
4. 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.
5. "Degrees for Sale". CBS6. February 19, 2004. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
6. "Perjury to prove a point". Almeda University. Retrieved 2006-10-20.
7. Singel, Ryan (Feb, 02, 2005). "Database Fights Diploma Mills". Wired News. Retrieved 2006-08-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
8. Cite error: The named reference NBC2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
9. Kara Kenney (2006-07-17). "Police officers fired over fake degrees". NBC2. Retrieved 2006-10-04.
10. Ryan Mills (2006-10-28). "Officers fired for online degrees rehired". Naples Daily News.

• Unaccredited institutions of higher learning