Stratford University
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[edit] Overview
Stratford University is a private, higher educational institution founded in 1976. Stratford specializes in adult education and offers placement assistance for students and graduates. It delivers online, classroom, and blended online/classroom programs.
The Stratford campuses are owned by American Transportation Institute, Inc., a privately-held Virginia corporation. Stratford has two campuses in Northern Virginia (Falls Church and Woodbridge). The majority of the student body is non-traditional and works full-time while attending school. Stratford's international student body is diverse and represents over twenty countries.
The University has a number of international partnerships in Asia and Canada. Stratford has partnered with the Global Land Coalition to provide distance education services in developing countries.
[edit] Academic Programs
Stratford University awards graduate and undergraduate degrees in a number of disciplines including business administration, computer information systems, allied health, culinary arts, and hotel/restaurant management. The University offers accelerated degree programs for those who wish to start their careers quickly. An associate's degree can be earned in 15 months, a bachelor's degree in 30 months, and a master's degree in 15 months. Stratford University has five academic departments offering the following degrees.
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School of Computer Information Systems
School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts
School of Business Administration
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[edit] Supporting Services
Stratford University offers a wide range of services to assist the students and faculty. The most noteworthy of these services are listed below.
- Stratford's Student and Career Services Offices offer a wide range of student services. The most popular are career planning, placement assistance, tutoring, English classes for international students, honor societies, student clubs, externships, optional practical training, curricular practical training, and health club memberships. Stratford provides housing for students in apartments near its campuses.
- Stratford's Library Service maintains a residential library on all campuses, in addition to an online library that includes full-text research databases and e-books.
- Stratford's International Student Office (ISO) assists international students with immigration, housing, and language issues. Stratford's ISO issues I-20s for student visas and continues to help students remain in-status after enrollment. The ISO helps students apply for curriculum practical training, optional practical training, and on-campus employment.
- Stratford's Financial Planning Office helps students apply for the appropriate financial assistance programs. Stratford is approved for Federal financial aid, VA benefits, vocational rehabilitation benefits, corporate reimbursement, and selected scholarships. In addition, Stratford students can qualify for a number of non-Federal student loan programs.
- Stratford's Continuing Education Office offers many non-credit workshops and courses in business, allied health, technology, culinary arts, and event management. These courses can be customized to meet customer requirements.
- Stratford's Food Services are managed by the School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts. The School of Culinary Arts offers fine dining to the public as part of its culinary curriculum. The School operates the Escoffier Dining Room and the Library Cafe.
- Stratford's Media Office produces and broadcasts a weekly radio show, Tech Talk Radio, which is aired on WTWP (1500AM and 107.7FM) each Sunday at 8:30 am. The show is streamed live over the Internet from the Washington Post Radio home page. Audio files of the show are posted each week to the Tech Talk Radio home page. Tech Talk Radio first aired in June 2000 and has been previously broadcast on WMAL (630AM) and WJFK (106.7FM) radio stations.
[edit] Accreditation
Stratford University is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) to award associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees. The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools is recognized by the United States Department of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Stratford is a member of the SOC Consortium and is recognized by the Veteran's Administration for the delivery of education. In addition, the Culinary Arts Degree and Diploma Programs are accredited by the American Culinary Federation (ACF), which also is recognized by CHEA. All degree and diploma programs have been approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).
