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Almeda University

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Alameda University
Almeda logo
Active1997–2016
ColorsCherry Red and White

Almeda University was an accredited web only institution that offered degrees including online certificate programs, general "Life Experience Degrees", and doctorates in religion and theology. Almeda was accredited by the Council for Distance Education Accreditation, the Interfaith Education Ministries (IEM), and the Association for Online Academic Excellence (AOAEX).

History

Almeda University was founded in 1997 as a distance learning program. From 2001 to 2016, the school awarded undergraduate degrees as well as masters and doctorate degrees based upon "life experience". Degrees were issued upon payment, with life experience assessments based on the word of the applicant. In addition to its degree programs, Almeda University also offered a wide selection of zero-credit courses intended for professional development.

As of 2012, Almeda only had a mailing address in Boise, Idaho. Upon inspection, Bears' Guide says that it could not locate the physical address of the institution and was informed by reception that Almeda University was a "web only" institution. Richard Smith was Almeda's founding CEO.

Academics

Almeda University offered associate, bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees using "Prior Learning Assessments” which evaluated a candidate’s life experience. Almeda University also offered several hundred non-degree technical and business courses and certification preparation programs by e-learning.

Accreditation and recognition

Legally, Almeda University was a corporation registered on the Caribbean island of Nevis. Almeda was listed as an accredited member of Interfaith Education Ministries and the Association for Online Academic Excellence, and claimed accreditation by the Council for Distance Education Accreditation;.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). In a 2017 CBC Marketplace episode investigating diploma mills, it was discovered that several people from across Canada had purchased degrees from Almeda and then passed them off as accredited degrees.

Incidents

In 2004 a CBS affiliate in Albany, New York, reported that one of their reporters filed an Almeda application for an associate degree on behalf of his dog, citing child care responsibilities and other requisite experience. Almeda initially granted the dog a "life experience" associate degree in childhood development based on the false and erroneous claims. Almeda later proclaimed in public response that the reporter perjured himself by creating a false identity.

In 2006 a Naples, Florida police officer was forced to return a salary increase based on an Almeda degree. In addition, two other Naples police officers were temporarily terminated when an investigation showed that they received diplomas from Almeda. Both officers appealed the ruling, stating they had spoken to department administrators before submitting the credentials needed to verify that they qualified for the incentive program. In October 2006, both officers were reinstated with back pay, but both received 10-day suspensions and were required to take an ethics course.

Similarly, in 2009, eight Washington state troopers who obtained degrees from Almeda had to relinquish educational incentive pay but avoided recrimination as prosecutors could not establish criminal intent. Also in 2009, the Sacramento Bee reported that one or more Sacramento city firefighters have had their raises revoked after obtaining degrees from Almeda.

Notable alumni

Walter Blackman, the first black Republican elected to the Arizona Legislature.

See also

References

  1. "Almeda University Agrees: Degree Holders More Likely to Find Work". Indyposted. 2012-06-08. Archived from the original on 2013-05-10. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  2. "Almeda University". Netcheck.
  3. ^ "BBB Business Review". Better Business Bueau. 2004. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  4. Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning Archived January 1, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, John Bear, Maria Bear, (2003-01-01), pp.187 Ten Speed Press, 215. ISBN 1-58008-431-1
  5. "Almeda University". Almeda University. Archived from the original on 14 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
  6. "Prospective Students". Almeda University. Archived from the original on 2011-09-03. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
  7. Cite error: The named reference almeda-pp was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. "Accredited Member Schools and Universities". World Association for Online Education. 2001. Archived from the original on 24 October 2005. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  9. "Fully Accredited Members". The Association for Online Academic Excellence. 2001. Archived from the original on 11 December 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  10. "Almeda University-Certifications and accreditations". Almeda University. 2006. Archived from the original on 13 August 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
  11. "'All of us can be harmed': Investigation reveals hundreds of Canadians have phoney degrees". CBC News. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  12. "Degrees for Sale". CBS6. 2004-02-19. Archived from the original on 24 August 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
  13. "Perjury to prove a point". Almeda University. Archived from the original on 8 November 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-20.
  14. Cite error: The named reference NBC2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. Kara Kenney (2006-07-17). "Police officers fired over fake degrees". NBC2. Archived from the original on 2007-03-30. Retrieved 2006-10-04.
  16. Staff (2006-10-12). "City manager hears arguments in ex-officers' firings". Naples Daily News. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  17. Ryan Mills (2006-10-28). "Officers fired for online degrees rehired". Naples Daily News.
  18. Sharon Pian Chan, Troopers with bogus degrees won't be charged, Seattle Times. Republished by Yakima Herald, February 3, 2009
  19. Scott Gutierrez, No charges in online diploma inquiry Archived March 1, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, February 2, 2009
  20. Robert Lewis, The Public Eye: 'Diploma mill' degrees for firefighters cost city $50,000, grand jury says, Sacramento Bee, July 9, 2009. Archived by archive.org on October 19, 2009.

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