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The ] reported that firefighters that had purchased degrees from diploma mills to get raises were having their raises revoked. Almeda University was listed as one of the institutions that had provided degrees.<ref>Robert Lewis, , ], July 9, 2009</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
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Revision as of 21:29, 27 October 2010

Almeda University (possibly also called Almeda College or Almeda College & University) is an unaccredited American institution that offers various academic degrees through distance education, including a "Life Experience Degree". Almeda was founded in 1997. Bears' Guide says that they could not locate the physical address of the institution and were told by reception that Almeda University is a "Web only" institution.

Programs and courses

According to its website, Almeda University offers associate, bachelor and master degrees using "Prior Learning Assessment" and also master and doctorate programs in business and theology that require the completion of a thesis or dissertation. Almeda University also offers 632 technical and business courses and certification preparation programs by e-learning.

Accreditation status

Legally, Almeda University is a corporation registered on the Caribbean island of Nevis. Almeda claims accreditation by the Council for Distance Education Accreditation, Interfaith Education Ministries (IEM) and the Association for Online Academic Excellence (AOAEX); none of these are recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. On its website, Almeda states that its claimed sources of accreditation are not recognized by the US Department of Education, with the result that students cannot receive US federal loans or assistance under the GI Bill and Almeda degrees may not be recognized by academia or employers.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Texas: Almeda is on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Boardlist of "Institutions Whose Degrees are Illegal to Use in Texas."
  • 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.

Reception

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" 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 itself unrecognized.

In 2004 the CBS affiliate in Albany, New York, ran a report on Almeda that featured Peter Brancato, who had filled out an application for an associate's degree degree on behalf of his dog, Wally. On the application, Brancato listed "Plays with the kids every day ... teaches them to interact better with each other ... Teaches them responsibilities like feeding the dog." Almeda granted Wally a "life experience" associate's degree in childhood development. Almeda claims Brancato perjured 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."

In 2006 a Naples, Florida, police officer was required to pay back a salary increase based on a degree from Almeda. Two Naples police officers were also temporarily terminated after investigation showed that they received diplomas from Almeda University. Both officers appealed, stating to investigators that they had talked to department administrators before submitting the degrees to verify that they qualified for the incentive program. On October 28, 2006, both officers were given their jobs back, with back pay, however received 10-day suspensions and were required to take an ethics course before the end of the year.

The Sacramento Bee reported that firefighters that had purchased degrees from diploma mills to get raises were having their raises revoked. Almeda University was listed as one of the institutions that had provided degrees.

See also

References

  1. ^ Unaccredited colleges, Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization, accessed March 20, 2008
  2. ^ "Institutions Whose Degrees are Illegal to Use in Texas". Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
  3. Unaccredited Post-Secondary Educational Institutions, Maine state government
  4. "Almeda University". Netcheck.
  5. ^ 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
  6. "Almeda University". Almeda University. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
  7. ^ "Almeda Policies and Procedures". Retrieved 2006-10-04.
  8. ^ "Almeda University-Certifications and accreditations". Almeda University. 2006. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
  9. "Accreditation Database and Information". Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
  10. "Actions against unlicensed colleges and private occupational schools in Connecticut Fall 2001-Spring 2003" (pdf). Connecticut Department of Higher Education. Retrieved 2007-01-17.
  11. ^ Simmons, Kathryn (2006-07-17). "University not recognized by state of Florida". NBC2. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
  12. Bear's Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning, Bear, John, Maria Bear (2003-01-01). pp.59 Ten Speed Press, 215. ISBN 1-58008-431-1
  13. "Accreditation Database and Information". Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
  14. "Degrees for Sale". CBS6. 2004-02-19. Retrieved 2006-08-18.
  15. "Perjury to prove a point". Almeda University. Retrieved 2006-10-20.
  16. Kara Kenney (2006-07-17). "Police officers fired over fake degrees". NBC2. Archived from the original on 2007-03-30. Retrieved 2006-10-04.
  17. Staff (2006-10-12). "City manager hears arguments in ex-officers' firings". Naples Daily News. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  18. Ryan Mills (2006-10-28). "Officers fired for online degrees rehired". Naples Daily News.
  19. Robert Lewis, The Public Eye: 'Diploma mill' degrees for firefighters cost city $50,000, grand jury says, Sacramento Bee, July 9, 2009

External links

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