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| ==Accreditation and legality== | ==Accreditation and legality== | ||
| Legally, Almeda University is a corporation registered on the Caribbean island of ]. <ref name="almeda-pp"/> | Legally, Almeda University is a corporation registered on the Caribbean island of ]. <ref name="almeda-pp"/> | ||
| Almeda |
Almeda is accredited by the ], ] (IEM) and the ] (AOAEX); <ref name="Almeda-accred">{{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> which 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 | |||
| | format=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 may not be valid for public employment in Florida.<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, license, or 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 may not be valid for public employment in Illinois, Oregon, New Jersey, North Dakota, Washington and Idaho.<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 organizations. 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 ], 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><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.chea.org | title=Accreditation Database and Information | publisher=] | date= | first= | last= | accessdate = 2006-08-18}}</ref> | |||
| In 2004 the ] affiliate in ], ran a report on Almeda that featured Peter Brancato, who had 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, American 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 ] himself by creating a false identity using 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 ], police officer was required to pay back a salary increase based on a degree from Almeda.<ref name="NBC2" /> Two Naples police officers were also fired after investigation showed that 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 ], ], 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> | |||
| According to ] (BBB) records, the Boise, Idaho address listed for Almeda University is a ] (private mail box). Almeda University offered to provide their physical location to the BBB provided the BBB would not make it public. While the Better Business Bureau provides reports on Almeda University, Almeda is not a paid member of the BBB, however, Almeda does have a satisfactory record of complaint resolution.<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> | |||
| 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 "Management Accessibility", "Customer Support", "On-time Delivery" and "Privacy Experience".<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> | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{reflist}} | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| == External links == | |||
| * | |||
| * in the United States | |||
| * 10/14/2006 | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
Revision as of 01:06, 8 February 2008
Almeda University is an accredited| American institution that offers various academic degrees through distance education, including a "Life Experience Degree". Almeda was founded in 1997.
Programs and courses
According to its website, Almeda has programs awarding Associate, Bachelor, and Master degrees using Prior Learning Assessment. There are also Master and Doctorate programs in the areas of Business and Theology that require completing a thesis or dissertation. Almeda University offers over 1000 technical and business courses and certification preparation programs by e-learning.
Accreditation and legality
Legally, Almeda University is a corporation registered on the Caribbean island of Nevis. Almeda is accredited by the Council for Distance Education Accreditation, Interfaith Education Ministries (IEM) and the Association for Online Academic Excellence (AOAEX); which is recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
- "Almeda University". Netcheck.
- "Almeda University". Almeda University. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
- Cite error: The named reference
almeda-ppwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - "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.