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== Controversy and criticism == == Controversy and criticism ==


The findings of an investigation by the ] of the ] government was presented in 2004 to a ] committee. This investigation found that Kennedy-Western University was academically substandard. Kennedy-Western officials, however, asserted that students are required to undergo extensive work and take examinations to receive credit. It was opined in 2004 by a federal government sub-committee on education that Kennedy-Western University was academically substandard. Kennedy-Western officials, however, strongly asserted, and provided proof, that students are required to undergo extensive work and take examinations, with the Undergraduate and the Masters exams usually taken online, and Doctorate exams given only by proctor.


The courses' texts are the same as used at many nationally noted resident universities, and the exams, master's theses and doctoral dissertations must pass grading, review and hearings as required. Fully 95% of Kennedy-Western University instructors have terminal degrees, with many from some of the top schools in America like USC, UCLA, Texas A&M, and Michigan State.
⚫ During the 2004 federal investigation, a former employee, Andrew Coulombe, testifying to the U.S. Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, described his feeling that his work there was unethical and summarized it thus: "I can tell you that there is no value to a Kennedy-Western education. Anything you learn there can be learned by buying a book and reading it on your own."


⚫ From a 2004 federal investigation, a former three-month employee, Andrew Coulombe, testifying to the U.S. Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, described his feeling that his work there was unethical and summarized it thus: "I can tell you that there is no value to a Kennedy-Western education. Anything you learn there can be learned by buying a book and reading it on your own." Kennedy-Western was shut out by the sub-committee from presenting its side of the issue.
As a result of the scrutiny, 463 federal employees were disciplined or terminated for using dubious degrees that were paid for with Federal tax money.


Though Kennedy-Western was not invited to testify before the Senate, the school's Director of Corporate Communications, David Gering, stated to '']'', "We clearly believe that we are not a diploma mill and have an academically rigorous program, and if you ask our students and alumni, they would agree." Though Kennedy-Western was not invited to testify before the Senate sub-committee, the school's Director of Corporate Communications, David Gering, stated to The Oregonian, "We clearly believe that we are not a diploma mill and have an academically rigorous program, and if you ask our students and alumni, they would agree."


The '']'' noted in an article, that included Kennedy-Western, that some believe KWU has an address in Wyoming because the state has "become a haven for diploma mills." The Seattle Times noted in an article, that included Kennedy-Western, that some believe KWU has an address in Wyoming because the state has "become a haven for diploma mills," a specious charge since most distance learning programs have locations in different locales and states.
⚫ "It's not clear who has jurisdiction when the school itself has a presence (or an apparent presence) in more than one location Such operations fall through the cracks, until finally some federal agency that operates across state lines finally takes action, if action is indeed required."

Another criticism of the institution is that it operates primarily out of California but uses a mailing address in Wyoming. Past mailing addresses have been in places including California, Hawaii, Idaho, and Wyoming. The arrangement of having a primary operation in one state but a mailing address in another state is uncommon for legitimate academic institutions but common for ]s.

⚫ "It's not clear who has jurisdiction When the school itself has a presence (or an apparent presence) in more than one location Such operations fall through the cracks, until finally some federal agency that operates across state lines (typically the FBI, the Postal Service, the Federal Trade Commission, and/or the Internal Revenue Service) finally takes action."<ref>page 34, ''Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning'', 15th edition, 2003, ], Ph.D. & Mariah P. Bear, M.A.</ref>

According to the ] Kennedy Western University has "No accreditation from a CB recognized accreditor. AKA Warren National University. Oregon reports that degrees from this entity do not meet requirements for employment by the State of Oregon or for work in any profession licensed by that state."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/AAR/PrivateInstitutions/NoTX.cfm | title=Fraudulent or Substandard Institutions with No Known Texas Connection | publisher=] | date= 2007 | first= | last= | accessdate = 2007-06-22}}</ref>

Kennedy Western University operates legally from the state of Wyoming. The university has to have an application for accreditation under Wyo. Stat §§21-2-401 through 21-2-407, but neither the Department of Education nor the Wyoming State Board of Education has accredited or endorsed any course of study being offered by Kennedy-Western University. <ref>http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2006/Summaries/SF0069.htm</ref>

=== State of Oregon lawsuit ===

The State of ] passed a law making it illegal for graduates to list Kennedy-Western on ]s, specifically referring to the school as a diploma mill. In July 2004, the school filed a lawsuit challenging the law on behalf of three former students.

In December 2004, Kennedy-Western and Oregon reached an out-of-court settlement. Under the terms of the settlement, graduates of Kennedy-Western may list the school on a résumé as long as they note in the résumé its unaccredited status. Further, the ] may no longer refer to the school as a diploma mill or substandard; however, the State still does not allow the degrees to be used for governmental employment or for professional licenses.<ref> '']'' ], ] </ref>


== See also == == See also ==

Revision as of 19:42, 24 July 2007

Warren National University, formerly known as Kennedy-Western University, is an American distance learning university that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees.

The institution has administrative offices in Agoura Hills, California, and corporate offices in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It is named for Francis E. Warren, the first governor of the state of Wyoming.

Licensing and accreditation

The university was established in 1984.

Warren is currently not accredited by any national accreditation body. As such, its degrees and credits might not be acceptable to some employers or other institutions, and use of degree titles may be restricted in some jurisdictions. The institution is licensed by the Wyoming State Department of Education, under W.S. 21-2-401 through 21-2-407. This licensure requires the University to meet standards contained in Article 4: Private School Licensing. The university was established in 1984. Warren has applied for accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, which is approved by the U.S. Department of Education. However, the university is forbidden from awarding degrees to residents of Oregon or California, though it can award degrees to residents of the other 48 states. It has been a member of the Mountain States Better Business Bureau since 1996.

Academics

Warren National offers nine degree programs: Bachelor's and Master degrees in business administration, computer science, management information systems, and health administration. Also offered is a doctorate in business administration.

As Kennedy-Western University other degrees were also offered although some of these offerings have since been discontinued.

Controversy and criticism

It was opined in 2004 by a federal government sub-committee on education that Kennedy-Western University was academically substandard. Kennedy-Western officials, however, strongly asserted, and provided proof, that students are required to undergo extensive work and take examinations, with the Undergraduate and the Masters exams usually taken online, and Doctorate exams given only by proctor.

The courses' texts are the same as used at many nationally noted resident universities, and the exams, master's theses and doctoral dissertations must pass grading, review and hearings as required. Fully 95% of Kennedy-Western University instructors have terminal degrees, with many from some of the top schools in America like USC, UCLA, Texas A&M, and Michigan State.

From a 2004 federal investigation, a former three-month employee, Andrew Coulombe, testifying to the U.S. Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, described his feeling that his work there was unethical and summarized it thus: "I can tell you that there is no value to a Kennedy-Western education. Anything you learn there can be learned by buying a book and reading it on your own." Kennedy-Western was shut out by the sub-committee from presenting its side of the issue.

Though Kennedy-Western was not invited to testify before the Senate sub-committee, the school's Director of Corporate Communications, David Gering, stated to The Oregonian, "We clearly believe that we are not a diploma mill and have an academically rigorous program, and if you ask our students and alumni, they would agree."

The Seattle Times noted in an article, that included Kennedy-Western, that some believe KWU has an address in Wyoming because the state has "become a haven for diploma mills," a specious charge since most distance learning programs have locations in different locales and states. "It's not clear who has jurisdiction when the school itself has a presence (or an apparent presence) in more than one location Such operations fall through the cracks, until finally some federal agency that operates across state lines finally takes action, if action is indeed required."

See also

Footnotes


External links

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