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Almeda University claims to be "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>, but neither one of these groups are 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> Almeda University claims to be "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>, but neither one of these groups are 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>


In 2003, the Florida Department of Education made an agreement with Almeda to cease operating in the state, but Floridians can still get a degree from the online university.<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=7/17/2006 | first=Kathryn | last=Simmons | accessdate = 2006-08-18}}</ref> On Almeda's website under policies and procedures, the university warns their degrees are not legal in Florida and six other states.<ref name="NBC2" /> In 2003 the Florida Department of Education made an agreement with Almeda to cease operating in the state, but Floridians can still get a degree from the online university.<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> In July 2006 two Naples, Florida police officers were fired for using Almeda degrees at work. <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 Almeda's website under policies and procedures, the university warns their degrees are not legal in Florida, Illinois, Oregon, New Jersey, North Dakota, Washington, and Idaho, saying that in those states their degrees have "novelty value only".<ref name="almeda-pp">{{cite web
| url = https://almedauniversity.org/application/policy-procedure.html
| title = Almeda Policies and Procedures
| accessdate = 2006-10-04}}</ref>
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>


==Criticism and controversy== ==Criticism and controversy==

Revision as of 15:23, 4 October 2006

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Almeda University is an unaccredited institution of higher learning that offers doctorate degrees in religion and theology, a "Life Experience Degree," and an online certificate program. Almeda University is not accredited by any recognised accreditation body. 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

Almeda University claims to be "accredited" by Interfaith Education Ministries (IEM) and the Association for Online Academic Excellence (AOAEX),, but neither one of these groups are recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

In 2003 the Florida Department of Education made an agreement with Almeda to cease operating in the state, but Floridians can still get a degree from the online university. In July 2006 two Naples, Florida police officers were fired for using Almeda degrees at work. On Almeda's website under policies and procedures, the university warns their degrees are not legal in Florida, Illinois, Oregon, New Jersey, North Dakota, Washington, and Idaho, saying that in those states their degrees have "novelty value only". 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.

Criticism and controversy

Almeda's academic standards have been criticized by a variety of commentators. According to writer John Bear, 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 claims to be accredited by the Association for Online Academic Excellence, but that that association is itself unrecognized.

In a report that ran on Febuary 19, 2004, the CBS affiliate in Albany, NY ran a report on Almeda that featured a person who recieved an associate degree using the name of his dog, Wally. Part of the "life experience" listed on the application by Peter Brancato, Wally's owner, was "Plays with the kids every day...teaches them to interact better with each other...Teaches them responsibilities like feeding the dog"

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. "On Almeda's website under policies and procedures, the university warns their degrees are not legal in Florida and six other states." Two Naples, Florida, police officers were fired after investigation showed they bought diplomas from Almeda University.

According to Better Business Bureau (BBB) records, the address listed for Almeda University, 10400 Overland Rd., # 224, Boise, ID is a private mail box company. This Idaho address is a central mail facility, not part of any Almeda University campus. Furthermore, any mail sent to 10400 Overland Rd, #224 is forwarded to an Almeda agent in another location.

References

  1. "Almeda University-Certifications and accreditations". Almeda University. 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
  2. "Accreditation Database and Information". Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
  3. ^ Simmons, Kathryn (2006-07-17). "University not recognized by state of Florida". NBC2. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
  4. Kara Kenney (2006-07-17). "Police officers fired over fake degrees". NBC2. Retrieved 2006-10-04.
  5. "Almeda Policies and Procedures". Retrieved 2006-10-04.
  6. "Fraudulent or Substandard Institutions with No Known Texas Connection". Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Retrieved 2006-10-04. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  7. Bear, John, Maria Bear (2003-01-01). Bear's Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning. pp. 59 Ten Speed Press, 215. ISBN 1-580-08431-1.
  8. Bear, John, Maria Bear (2003-01-01). Bear's Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning. pp. 187 Ten Speed Press, 215. ISBN 1-580-08431-1.
  9. "Degrees for Sale". CBS6. February 19, 2004. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
  10. Singel, Ryan (Feb, 02, 2005). "Database Fights Diploma Mills". Wired News. Retrieved 2006-08-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. "Better Business Bureau (BBB) Reliability Report for Almeda University". eLearners.com. June 30, 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-18.

See also

External links

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