Everest University

Everest University, formerly Florida Metropolitan University is a system of for-profit universities with most of their campuses located in the state of Florida in the United States. The Everest University System also has campuses located throughout the United States and Canada, making it one of America's largest for-profit educational institutions. Everest offers career-specific programs, as well as a Graduate School of Business which offers a Master of Business Administration and Master of Criminal Justice. In addition, Everest University offers alternative daytime, night, weekend and Online programs for working adults.

The schools are owned by Corinthian Colleges International, Inc.

Accreditation, Licensure & Recognition

The Everest University campuses in Florida are accredited by the [Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools] [http://www.acics.org/] http://www.acics.org/ to award diplomas, Associate’s degrees, Bachelor’s degrees, and Master’s degrees. The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools is listed as a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) is located at 750 First Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20002; [phone]. The University is also licensed by means of accreditation by the Florida Commission for Independent Education. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Florida Commission for Independent Education, Department of Education, 2650 Apalachee Parkway, Suite A, Tallahassee, Florida 32301; telephone [phone].

In addition, all undergraduate and graduate programs are approved by the Department of Homeland Security and by the Florida State Approving Agency for Veterans Training. All campuses are members of the Career College Association. Some of the programs offered at Everest University:Accounting Accounting (BS) Business Business (BS) Computer Information Science Computer Information Science (BS) Criminal Investigations Criminal Justice Criminal Justice (BS) Film & VideoHomeland Security (AS) Homeland Security (BS)Hospitality Master of Business Administration Master of Science in Criminal Justice Medical Insurance Billing & Coding Paralegal Paralegal (BS)

Accreditation Debate

There are two major forms of accreditation in the United States. Everest University holds national accreditation which many private and religious for-profit universities hold--unlike regional accreditation which some public, traditional colleges and universities hold. Accreditation for any U.S. college or university can be confirmed from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) CHEA website: http://www.chea.org. Some regionally accredited universities in Florida and other states have declined to accept transfer of national credits and vice versa, which has sparked an ongoing dispute in the U.S. education community. The good news for Everest and Florida students has been the introduction of the Florida Course Numbering System, which allows credits to transfer between most Florida colleges and universities that have the same course numbers and offer similar content and depth, making student transfers much smoother. [http://www.distancelearn.org/numbSystem.cfm] Legislation has been introduced by members of the educational community and congress to move forward, ensuring alternative education reform for working adults and making credits more transferrable between institutions recognized by CHEA who states that: "No institution should decline credits solely on the basis of accreditation alone." [http://www.collegejournal.com/aidadmissions/newstrends/20051003-hechinger.html "A Battle Over Standards At For-Profit Colleges" Wall Street Journal, October 3, 2005 by John Hechinger] ] [http://www.orlandoweekly.com/features/story.asp?id=526 "Bad Education" Orlando Weekly, April 4, 2005 by Jeffrey C. Billman] ]

Everest College

"Everest College Phoenix Accreditation & Memberships"The Everest College - Phoenix campus is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association 30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org 312-263-0456. All programs are approved for the training of veterans. The campus is also licensed by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education, 1400 West Washington, Room 260, Phoenix, Arizona 85007, [phone], fax [phone]. The Paralegal program is approved by the American Bar Association, Standing Committee on Legal Assistants, 321 N. Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60610, 800-285-2221. The Phoenix campus is licensed by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education, 1400 West Washington, Room 260, Phoenix, Arizona 85007, [phone]

Online programs offered at Everest College - Phoenix:Accounting Business Business Administration (BS) Criminal Investigations Criminal Justice Criminal Justice (BS) [http://everestonline.edu/accreditation]

Controversy

The uncertainty and unfamiliarity of for-profit institutions has stirred debate between traditional schools and for-profits. Evererst (formally FMU) is a career-college which focuses on career-specific training and measures performance by job graduation and job placement rates and offers alternative methods to adult education including night, weekend and Online courses for working adults. A class-action lawsuit was filed against FMU, now Everest University, in Broward County, Florida in 2004 alleging that they misrepresented their accreditation to potential students during the admissions process, specifically, assuring them that FMU's credits would transfer to regionally accredited schools. The enrollment contracts had an arbitration clause, thus the case was sent to arbitration and eventually dismissed. The arbitrator stated that contract and catalog had language stating that the school could not guarantee that the credits were transferable. This language trumped the allegations of many students and former employees that students were told verbally that the credits would transfer. [ [http://www.send2press.com/newswire/2006-01-0123-004.shtml "Corinthian Colleges Reports Favorable Arbitration Award in Satz Case - Arbitrator Finds in Favor of Company on All Counts", U.S. News and Reports, January 23, 2006, Edited by Christopher Simmons] ] In December 2005, the Florida Attorney General opened up an investigation of FMU's recruitment practices but no evidence has surfaced of any wrongdoing. [ [http://www.tbo.com/education/includes/MGBF21I3UHE.html "State Looking Into FMU Practices" Tampa Bay Tribune, by Thomas W. Krause, December 30, 2005.] ]

ervicemembers Opportunity Colleges

Everest University-Jacksonville and Everest University-Lakeland are members of SOC (Service members Opportunity College) Consortium. SOC Consortium colleges and universities are dedicated to helping service members and their families get college degrees. Military students can take courses in their off-duty hours at or near military installations in the United States, overseas, and on U.S. Navy ships.

References

External links

* [http://www.everestonline.edu/ Everest University website]