Almeda University
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| Established | 1997 |
|---|---|
| Website | almedauniversity.org |
Almeda University (also known as Almeda College, Almeda College & University, or Almeda International University[1][2][3][4]) was an unaccredited[1][5] American institution that offers various academic degrees through distance education, including a "Life Experience Degree". In July 2015 before Almeda's homepage became unresponsive, it stated that Almeda was not enrolling new students, and it now appears as if Almeda is no longer in operation.
History
Almeda University was founded in 1997 as a distance learning program and as of 2012 had a mailing address in Boise, Idaho.[6] In 2001, the school established an online presence. It currently offers undergraduate degrees as well as masters and doctorate degree programs. In addition to its degree programs, Almeda University also offers a wide selection of non-credit courses intended for professional development.[7][8] Bears' Guide says that it could not locate the physical address of the institution and was informed by reception that Almeda University is a "web only" institution.[9] As of 2005, the Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization reported that Almeda had been closed by legal action in Florida but might still be operating there, had been based in Georgia for a brief time, and also was using an Idaho address.[10] Richard Smith is Almeda’s current CEO.[6]
Programs and courses
Almeda University offers associate, bachelor's and master's degrees using "Prior Learning Assessment" and also master and doctorate programs in business and theology that require the completion of a thesis or dissertation, according to its website.[11] Almeda University also offers some 1,000 nondegree technical and business courses and certification preparation programs by e-learning.[11]
Accreditation status
Legally, Almeda University is a corporation registered on the Caribbean island of Nevis.[12] Almeda is listed as an accredited member of Interfaith Education Ministries[13] and the Association for Online Academic Excellence,[14] and claims accreditation by the Council for Distance Education Accreditation.[15] None of these are recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.[16] On its website, Almeda states that its claimed sources of accreditation are not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, with the result that students cannot receive U.S. federal loans or assistance under the GI Bill and Almeda degrees may not be recognized by academia or employers.[15]
- Connecticut: In October 2001, the Connecticut Department of Higher Education ordered Almeda to cease offering degrees in Connecticut. In 2002, when an investigation showed that Almeda continued to advertise its programs in Connecticut, the Department of Higher Education sent a second cease and desist letter to Almeda and referred the issue to the Connecticut Attorney General for possible legal action.[17]
- Florida: In 2003, the Florida Department of Education entered into an agreement with Almeda requiring the institution to cease operating in the state. Although Floridians can still get a degree from the online university, Almeda warns Floridians that its degrees may be invalid for public employment in Florida.[18]
- Texas: Almeda is on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board list of "Institutions Whose Degrees are Illegal to Use in Texas."[2]
- Other states: Almeda also warns that its degrees may be invalid for public employment in Illinois, Oregon, New Jersey, North Dakota, Washington and Idaho.[12] The Better Business Bureau advises that residents of Oregon, New Jersey, North Dakota, Washington and Idaho "should consider the Almeda degree as a novelty item only".[6]
Reception
Almeda's academic standards have been criticized by a variety of education organizations. According to Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning, Almeda College and University is a 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 unrecognized.[9][16]
In 2011, the U.S. News University Directory, operated by U.S. News & World Report, published an article about online education that favorably mentioned Almeda's master's degree program in psychology. Inside Higher Ed reported in June 2011 that the U.S. News website had removed the posting after being alerted that Almeda "is not recognized as a legitimate degree-granting university by the U.S. Department of Education or any mainstream accrediting agency." Website editors stated their commitment to "focus on accredited colleges and universities" and blamed an "editorial oversight" for the site's use of an Almeda press release.[19]
See also
- Diploma mill
- List of unaccredited institutions of higher learning
- List of unrecognized accreditation associations of higher learning
References
- 1 2 Unaccredited colleges, Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization, accessed March 20, 2008 and September 16, 2011
- 1 2 "Institutions Whose Degrees are Illegal to Use in Texas". Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Archived from the original on 10 May 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-09 and 2011-09-16. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help) - ↑ About, Almeda College website, accessed September 16, 2011
- ↑ State of Michigan List of Non-accredited Colleges and Universities, accessed September 17, 2011
- ↑ Unaccredited Post-Secondary Educational Institutions, Maine state government
- 1 2 3 "BBB Business Review". Better Business Bueau. 2004. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
- ↑ "Almeda University Agrees: Degree Holders More Likely to Find Work". Indyposted. 2012-06-08. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
- ↑ "Almeda University". Netcheck.
- 1 2 Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning, John Bear, Maria Bear, (2003-01-01), pp.187 Ten Speed Press, 215. ISBN 1-58008-431-1
- ↑ Unaccredited Colleges, Oregon Office of Degree Authorization, archived by archive.org on December 29, 2005
- 1 2 "Almeda University". Almeda University. Archived from the original on 14 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
- 1 2 "Almeda Policies and Procedures". Retrieved 2006-10-04.
- ↑ "Accredited Member Schools and Universities". World Association for Online Education. 2001. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
- ↑ "Fully Accredited Members". The Association for Online Academic Excellence. 2001. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
- 1 2 "Almeda University-Certifications and accreditations". Almeda University. 2006. Archived from the original on 13 August 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
- 1 2 "Accreditation Database and Information". Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Archived from the original on 20 August 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
- ↑ "Actions against unlicensed colleges and private occupational schools in Connecticut Fall 2001-Spring 2003" (PDF). Connecticut Department of Higher Education. Retrieved 2007-01-17.
- ↑ Simmons, Kathryn (2006-07-17). "University not recognized by state of Florida". NBC2. Archived from the original on 2007-10-26. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
- ↑ Steve Kolowich, Ranking the Online Colleges, Inside Higher Ed, June 30, 2011